Digital Brainwaves - Latest Comments in Why stop with just a tax on estates?

Re: Why stop with just a tax on estates?

Paul — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 10:53:05 -0000

I'm presuming you mean the founders of Google, as it's now a publicly traded company. But yeah, they absolutely could do that, because they created something that the market valued highly enough to pay them that much for it. And if they so chose, I have no problem with them voluntarily donating money to reduce others' tax loads.

But it's not the numbers that bug me. It's the principle that the government can tell you that, "yeah, you earned what you have and worked hard for it and all, and it's really sweet that you want your spouse and children to have it all now that you've passed on, but they don't deserve it as much as these other people do," and just summarily take it.

I'm all for philanthropy, but it needs to be voluntary, not compulsory.

-- Pauley

Re: Why stop with just a tax on estates?

inaflashlaser — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 10:07:23 -0000

I'm all in favour of taxing the richest 1% to death, or even the richest .01%. The multi-billionaires if it could help reduce the taxes the rest of us have to pay.

The owners of Google could pay a million dollars to 100 friends and still have 19 billion left. I can't comprehend that. Can't comprehend making more than a few thousand a month...

That's who Buffet means when he says "guys like me".

Re: Why stop with just a tax on estates?

Paul — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 23:36:16 -0000

Ahh, gotcha. I earn my gross, and it's taxed and deducted at that time. I don't want to have my estate taxed on it again when I'm dead. As a LOLCAT might say, "IZ MI MONEH HANZ OFF!" :-P

-- Pauley

Re: Why stop with just a tax on estates?

Dave — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 21:59:26 -0000

:) You said you earn your paycheck fair and square... I wish I could say the same! Apparently I earn all but 37% of it fair and square!

Just being facetious... *grin*

Re: Why stop with just a tax on estates?

Paul — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 21:33:16 -0000

Okay, you lost me. To what part of this are you referring?

-- Pauley

Re: Why stop with just a tax on estates?

Dave — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 19:06:51 -0000

Funny, I only seem to get 63% of mine. How'd you work that gig out?