The Greatest Wealth Transfer in History Is Here, with Familiar (Rich) Winners

Re:The Greatest Wealth Transfer in History Is Here, with Fam... by roenxi on Sunday May 14, 2023 @10:36AM (#35938340)

Speaking in extreme generalities, the people in favour of taxes believe that there is only a tenuous link between improving society and getting paid money. That the state's view of what would be an improvement is superior to the view of wealthy individuals. Anyone being wealthy is somewhat suspect because they have claim on resources and the pro-tax types don't believe they can use those resource more effectively than a government.

From that perspective, the handover of assets that happens during an inheritance is a great time for a tax - they don't believe that the inheritee will use the money to improve the world, they don't believe that the deceased was making optimum use of those funds and so this is an opportunity to level the playing field for the next generation and redirect assets to a more fundamentally wise and fair state.

I don't agree with that view (the USSR alone, let alone all the other attempts...) but it is internally consistent.

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Re:The Greatest Wealth Transfer in History Is Here, with Fam... by jjj123 on Sunday May 14, 2023 @11:08AM (#35938554)

Pro-tax type here, this quote is not accurate for me: “ pro-tax types don't believe [private entities] can use those resource more effectively than a government”

It’s not that they’re less effective, it’s that the public should get some say in how the money is used. I don’t want a small group of people single handedly deciding the “most effective” way for them to use their wealth, because it inevitably leads to whatever allows them to continue holding power.

I’d rather money be used less efficiently, but in the public’s interest, than in the interest of a few powerful people. No matter how philanthropic they appear.

I don’t trust the US govt much. But I trust them to spend money in a way that’s, say, 15% more democratic than the Koch brothers would. That’s good enough for me.

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Re:The Greatest Wealth Transfer in History Is Here, with Fam... by CPLX on Sunday May 14, 2023 @11:12AM (#35938585)

I’m on your side as well. These arguments are rarely in good faith but when they are I think it’s possible to write a succinct answer.

Society is better when we do. That’s why we should.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:The Greatest Wealth Transfer in History Is Here, with Fam... by Patxitxi on Monday May 15, 2023 @02:20AM (#35944446)

Let individuals fight for their own wealth as it should be. Society should take care of leveling the playing field... And helping those that cannot take care of themselves.

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Re:The Greatest Wealth Transfer in History Is Here, with Fam... by pmoriarty on Monday May 15, 2023 @06:20AM (#35945957)

Taxed money could simply be passed on to the population in equal amounts. Then each individual could decide what to spend it on.

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