How much do extremely wealthy people owe to the society that gave them the chance to prosper so much?

[Juicin]

Surely something, right? I see a lot of people talk like taxes are theft. Is it not just our obligation?

It's of course the ones who would live on a plantation without the state that think it's theft, lol

 

[bripat9643]

About the only thing you could reasonably make a case for is Military protection and police. However, that would cost only about 5% of current government spending.

You really think we only need 5% of what we spend? What about criminal justice? Prisons, judges and public defenders? What about public schools? Do you want that gone too?

That's like 1% of what our government spends.

 

[Toddsterpatriot]

Gates could not have made a cent if not for investments, research, and improvements payed for by taxes.

As though Gates and Microsoft have paid zero taxes.

 

[Wyatt earp]

Zero

Why not? We can't have a society if nobody owes anything to it.

Who makes the tax laws, you?

Remember states like flo

Gates would have gotten rich there too. He'd of been selling rocks and tree bark to the masses.

He wouldn't be worth 80 billion dollars.

Of course not the politicians are rich in a socialism/communism, By all accounts Putin is the richest person on the planet

 

[Anomalism]

That's like 1% of what our government spends.

I think there'd be chaos if we cut government spending by 95%.

 

[Crepitus]

I dont think people should be punished because they are more successful. IE much higher tax burden. They already pay most of the taxes anyway.
They also give a lot of money and time, to charity.

Taxes are not punishment.

They are when one is taxed more.

Nope. Taxes are not putative.

 

[Canon Shooter]

Surely something, right? I see a lot of people talk like taxes are theft. Is it not just our obligation?

I'm puzzled why you think extremely wealthy people owe anything to society.

I'm not extremely wealthy, but I'm quite comfortable. Thing is, I've accomplished what I have with the same opportunity that many extremely wealthy people had. While I may not have done as well as the really wealthy folks, I've also done far better than others who maybe didn't take advantage of the opportunity they were given.

I have no problem with taxes, but the only fair form of tax, in my opinion, is a flat tax. I know if I could change one thing in this country, and it could never be changed again, I would institute a flat tax.

As it is, we punish those who've worked hard and become wealthy, and that's wrong....

 

[Anomalism]

I'm puzzled why you think extremely wealthy people owe anything to society.

Because they would have nothing without the society around them.

 

[bripat9643]

That's like 1% of what our government spends.

I think there'd be chaos if we cut government spending by 95%.

The government only spent 5% of GDP under the monarchy.

 

[bripat9643]

I'm puzzled why you think extremely wealthy people owe anything to society.

Because they would have nothing without the society around them.

How would not paying taxes prevent that?

 

[Anomalism]

The government only spent 5% of GDP under the monarchy.

The good ol' days?

 

[bripat9643]

I dont think people should be punished because they are more successful. IE much higher tax burden. They already pay most of the taxes anyway.
They also give a lot of money and time, to charity.

Taxes are not punishment.

They are when one is taxed more.

Nope. Taxes are not putative.

Sure they are.

 

[Toddsterpatriot]

if you let people spend their education tax dollars as they want, then they will ensure only the wealthy elite benefit from those taxes.

Liar.

 

[bripat9643]

The government only spent 5% of GDP under the monarchy.

The good ol' days?

As far as govenrment is concerned, they were better than now.

 

[Crepitus]

They also give a lot of money and time, to charity.

As tax shelters.

who cares as long as they are paying it,,

anytime the people get more and the government gets less is a good thing,,

Except that isn't how it works out. There pay less, the government gets less, and the people they don't pay a living wage to get less to make up for it.

as long as the government gets less there is more for the company to pay employees,,

But they don't. The government's job is to protect it's people, even if what they need protected from is greedy corporations and billionaires.

their job is to protect our rights not our jobs or paychecks,,,

youre thinking of fascist or communist countries,,,

Really? Did you forget "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness"?

 

[bripat9643]

I'm puzzled why you think extremely wealthy people owe anything to society.

Because they would have nothing without the society around them.

Government is not society.

 

[bripat9643]

They also give a lot of money and time, to charity.

As tax shelters.

who cares as long as they are paying it,,

anytime the people get more and the government gets less is a good thing,,

Except that isn't how it works out. There pay less, the government gets less, and the people they don't pay a living wage to get less to make up for it.

as long as the government gets less there is more for the company to pay employees,,

But they don't. The government's job is to protect it's people, even if what they need protected from is greedy corporations and billionaires.

their job is to protect our rights not our jobs or paychecks,,,

youre thinking of fascist or communist countries,,,

Really? Did you forget "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness"?

Government should protect your right to pursue happiness, not provide it to you.

 

[Anomalism]

As far as govenrment is concerned, they were better than now.

Well the monarchy is gone now.

 

[Anomalism]

Government is not society.

Our government represents our society, or they're supposed to anyway.

 

[Canon Shooter]

I'm puzzled why you think extremely wealthy people owe anything to society.

Because they would have nothing without the society around them.

But "the society around them" has the same opportunity. All they have to do is avail themselves of it...