Millionaires want higher taxes to fix inequality

[NobleSavage]

n the heated debate over inequality, the wealthy are usually portrayed as the cause rather than the solution.

But CNBC's first-ever Millionaire Survey reveals that 51 percent of American millionaires believe inequality is a "major problem" for the U.S., and nearly two-thirds support higher taxes on the wealthy and a higher minimum wage as ways to narrow the wealth gap.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/101634240

 

[NobleSavage]

I wonder if there are more poor conservatives that are against higher taxes on the more affluent than there are millionaires who favor the tax?

 

[repoman]

Raise taxes and anger the Gods?!? That is what the poor religious people who follow the prosperity gospel believe the rich are.

 

[Underseer]

I wonder if there are more poor conservatives that are against higher taxes on the more affluent than there are millionaires who favor the tax?

Probably. The desire to be ruled by an aristocracy is high among rightists. This also means they will disregard these particular rich people as aristocrats who don't deserve to rule.

 

[Shadowy Man]

But what do the billionaires think?

 

[ksen]

This also means they will disregard these particular rich people as aristocrats who don't deserve to rule.

You mean they'll disregard them as democrats and say if they want to pay more nothing is stopping them from righting a check to the IRS right now.

 

[ksen]

But what do the billionaires think?

A very good point.

I think I've read there's just about as much difference between the 1% and 0.1%/0.01% as there is between the 99% and the 1%.

 

[dismal]

Last I checked there is nothing that prevents people who want to pay more money to the government from doing so.

 

[ksen]

This also means they will disregard these particular rich people as aristocrats who don't deserve to rule.

You mean they'll disregard them as democrats and say if they want to pay more nothing is stopping them from righting a check to the IRS right now.

Last I checked there is nothing that prevents people who want to pay more money to the government from doing so.

 

[lpetrich]

Last I checked there is nothing that prevents people who want to pay more money to the government from doing so.

Thus letting the non-payers laugh all the way to the bank about how social responsibility is for losers.

 

[EricK]

Last I checked there is nothing that prevents people who want to pay more money to the government from doing so.

Thus letting the non-payers laugh all the way to the bank about how social responsibility is for losers.

Paying extra to the government while saying that other people should too makes your statement much more credible than just saying that you think people like you should pay more.

 

[dismal]

Last I checked there is nothing that prevents people who want to pay more money to the government from doing so.

Thus letting the non-payers laugh all the way to the bank about how social responsibility is for losers.

Why the strings and conditions?

It seems to me if these 51% of the millionaires paid more to the government there'd be less inequality. Period.

 

[PyramidHead]

Last I checked there is nothing that prevents people who want to pay more money to the government from doing so.

Thus letting the non-payers laugh all the way to the bank about how social responsibility is for losers.

Why the strings and conditions?

It seems to me if these 51% of the millionaires paid more to the government there'd be less inequality. Period.

You're right, so let's make it easier for them by instituting a system that deducts it directly from their income before they even see it. We could call it something like an... income... tax.

And then we could also apply it to the other 49%, so there would be EVEN LESS inequality! Now we're cooking! I like these little brainstorming sessions.

 

[dismal]

Last I checked there is nothing that prevents people who want to pay more money to the government from doing so.

Thus letting the non-payers laugh all the way to the bank about how social responsibility is for losers.

Why the strings and conditions?

It seems to me if these 51% of the millionaires paid more to the government there'd be less inequality. Period.

You're right, so let's make it easier for them by instituting a system that deducts it directly from their income before they even see it. We could call it something like an... income... tax.

And then we could also apply it to the other 49%, so there would be EVEN LESS inequality! Now we're cooking! I like these little brainstorming sessions.

That approach requires laws be passed.

Mine allows these people to take actions solely within their own control to demonstrate their commitment to their stated beliefs.

 

[PyramidHead]

Last I checked there is nothing that prevents people who want to pay more money to the government from doing so.

Thus letting the non-payers laugh all the way to the bank about how social responsibility is for losers.

Why the strings and conditions?

It seems to me if these 51% of the millionaires paid more to the government there'd be less inequality. Period.

You're right, so let's make it easier for them by instituting a system that deducts it directly from their income before they even see it. We could call it something like an... income... tax.

And then we could also apply it to the other 49%, so there would be EVEN LESS inequality! Now we're cooking! I like these little brainstorming sessions.

That approach requires laws be passed.

Mine allows these people to take actions solely within their own control to demonstrate their commitment to their stated beliefs.

Right. Which is why my approach is way more effective. Thanks!

 

[dismal]

Last I checked there is nothing that prevents people who want to pay more money to the government from doing so.

Thus letting the non-payers laugh all the way to the bank about how social responsibility is for losers.

Why the strings and conditions?

It seems to me if these 51% of the millionaires paid more to the government there'd be less inequality. Period.

You're right, so let's make it easier for them by instituting a system that deducts it directly from their income before they even see it. We could call it something like an... income... tax.

And then we could also apply it to the other 49%, so there would be EVEN LESS inequality! Now we're cooking! I like these little brainstorming sessions.

That approach requires laws be passed.

Mine allows these people to take actions solely within their own control to demonstrate their commitment to their stated beliefs.

Right. Which is why my approach is way more effective. Thanks!

I wonder what rock you've been under these last few years...

 

[PyramidHead]

Last I checked there is nothing that prevents people who want to pay more money to the government from doing so.

Thus letting the non-payers laugh all the way to the bank about how social responsibility is for losers.

Why the strings and conditions?

It seems to me if these 51% of the millionaires paid more to the government there'd be less inequality. Period.

You're right, so let's make it easier for them by instituting a system that deducts it directly from their income before they even see it. We could call it something like an... income... tax.

And then we could also apply it to the other 49%, so there would be EVEN LESS inequality! Now we're cooking! I like these little brainstorming sessions.

That approach requires laws be passed.

Mine allows these people to take actions solely within their own control to demonstrate their commitment to their stated beliefs.

Right. Which is why my approach is way more effective. Thanks!

I wonder what rock you've been under these last few years...

If you have a secret, let's hear it. Please inform us which countries have successfully adopted a revenue system based on voluntary donations from millionaires, as opposed to taxation of said millionaires. It doesn't even have to be in the last few years. Maybe I've been under a rock all my life, but I've never come across a single nation that has embraced your idea instead of mine. America must be special.

 

[EricK]

Last I checked there is nothing that prevents people who want to pay more money to the government from doing so.

Thus letting the non-payers laugh all the way to the bank about how social responsibility is for losers.

Why the strings and conditions?

It seems to me if these 51% of the millionaires paid more to the government there'd be less inequality. Period.

You're right, so let's make it easier for them by instituting a system that deducts it directly from their income before they even see it. We could call it something like an... income... tax.

And then we could also apply it to the other 49%, so there would be EVEN LESS inequality! Now we're cooking! I like these little brainstorming sessions.

That approach requires laws be passed.

Mine allows these people to take actions solely within their own control to demonstrate their commitment to their stated beliefs.

Right. Which is why my approach is way more effective. Thanks!

That's not the issue though, is it?

As an analogy, a business owner who says "I believe the minimum wage isn't high enough and government should raise it" is far less believable than one who says "I believe the minimum wage is not high enough, government should raise it, and I am going to pay extra from now even if they don't raise it". Now at least the former businessman has a case not to unilaterally raise the minimum he pays to his employees - it would put his business at a competitive disadvantage. But an individual who thinks he should pay higher taxes does not need to wait until government hears his pleas to raise taxes on people like him. He can pay the extra now, while continuing to campaign, at no extra cost (other than the higher taxes which, we assume, he is happy to pay).

 

[KeepTalking]

I'm not sure which country you guys who are saying "why don't the millionaires just pay the IRS more" are living in, but in the country I live in, when you pay more taxes than you owe, the IRS sends that money back to you. Not that I have had that particular experience in quite a few years.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

I'm not sure which country you guys who are saying "why don't the millionaires just pay the IRS more" are living in, but in the country I live in, when you pay more taxes than you owe, the IRS sends that money back to you. Not that I have had that particular experience in quite a few years.

Well then, they can damn well use that cheque from the IRS to go and buy some cement and start filling in a few potholes around the neighbourhood.