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Re:Modeling a Wealth Tax by PaulDavisThe1st on Tuesday August 18, 2020 @10:10PM (#24206482)
Apaprently you're not aware of the gigantic shift in the proportion of GDP that ends up in the hands of labor vs. capital.

A significant chunk Paul Allen's share of the GDP would have been in the hands of workers had he been economically active during the period 1949-1978.

That's what he "took" from people to be as wealthy as he is.

I am flabbergasted that you feel that the "lack of choice" over what your government does is the same thing as the "lack of choice" over what rich people do with their money. In fact, I feel sorry for you in that you live in a country fundamentally built on formalizing this difference and creating a nation based on a belief in government "of the people". You don't believe that - you're not alone. But I still feel pity for you that you've been forced to give up the dream that this country was built on after just a couple hundred years.

Re:Modeling a Wealth Tax by WalterBright on Wednesday August 19, 2020 @12:29AM (#24207142)
Allen's wealth was neither given to him nor taken by him. He created it.

As for me, I prefer having a choice on what's for dinner than a vote on that. The US was founded on the principle of individual rights and liberty, not communal purpose.

No need to pity me, we are living in a golden age in the US. I have little doubt future historians will see it that way. I have no fear of billionaires. I don't buy that money buys elections. Hillary outspent Trump 2:1 and still lost, Bernie outspent Biden by some huge amount, and lost. Bloomberg flooded money into his campaign, and was completely eviscerated. I confess I daydream sometimes about what I'd do with a billion dollars that I'll never have, but that doesn't translate into any desire to tear down existing billionaires.

I missed several forks in the road in my life that could have led to billionaire status, but my taking the wrong fork each time was entirely my fault. I simply didn't see what in hindsight was obvious.

I'm missing something right now that could make me a billion dollars, and in five years I'll be able to tell you what it was :-)

Re:Modeling a Wealth Tax by PaulDavisThe1st on Friday August 21, 2020 @11:48PM (#24241376)
just for the record, went backpacking in the pecos wilderness for a few days ....