Lots of gems in here. My favorite line: "They also know that any project can get by with 10% less money if there is no alternative."
The world would be a much better place if there was less quibbling overall.
Scott Adams: How to Tax the Rich
21–30 of 358 posts
Re: Scott Adams: How to Tax the Rich
#22One thing that at least some rich people will pay for is status symbols (expensive watches, sports cars that will never exceed 100mph, mansions with rooms that are used only a couple of times a year, $500 t-shirts). Status signaling is ultimately a zero-sum positional arms race that can lead to some pretty ridiculous conclusions(1) and doesn't really leave anyone better off (other than, perhaps, luxury goods supplier…
American Express has built an empire on your "bad idea"
Re: Scott Adams: How to Tax the Rich
#23Tax the rich too much and then they stop creating jobs for all you whiners who can't hold on to your money. The whole notion of taxing the rich more than the poor seems unfair, what makes you worthy of benefits and him worthy of a penalty? Just because he was more responsible and hard working than you were? Americans are not broke, it's the government that is broke and instead of take the negative consequences, they would rather have someone else do it.
Re: Scott Adams: How to Tax the Rich
#24My bad idea: Taxes and number of votes both increase on how "gifted" you are - smarter people would therefore have more say in the government, and have more incentive to make it more efficient and do it's job better. I have no clue how to measure or implement this.
This is called a meritocracy. One way to implement is to have a test at voting facilities that you must pass in order to vote. I'm fairly certain this violates a majority of the Constitution.
Re: Scott Adams: How to Tax the Rich
#25[deleted]
Re: Scott Adams: How to Tax the Rich
#26Why have the rich suddenly became a bunch of babies? What's with all the whining? Having money isn't enough, now they want to be worshipped like feudal lords.
Do you similarly decry the people who spend extra money at amusement parks to skip lines? Seems like exactly the same thing as this. You pay more: you get more.
Re: Scott Adams: How to Tax the Rich
#27I don't think the rich really get anything out of it, but in the Nordic countries, fines increase in proportion to your wealth. I remember reading about a Nokia exec getting pulled over for speeding. His ticket was like $75,000! http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1670583 I've often thought some fees should be adjusted for wealth. For example, a quarter a day isn't really enough to get me to take my…
I think many European countries adjust the fines to ones wealth:
For example Switzerland: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-10960230
Re: Scott Adams: How to Tax the Rich
#28Earlier quoted context omitted.
Where did they start whining? And when did they expect to be worshipped?
Well, it’s the premise of the article, isn’t it? The whole idea is that you need to somehow appease the rich in order to do what’s necessary. That premise might be wrong but it is the premise of the article.
No, the premise of the article is "these are some 'bad' ideas, kick them around in your head and maybe we'll think up something 'good'". It helps to read.
Re: Scott Adams: How to Tax the Rich
#29Earlier quoted context omitted.
Well, it’s the premise of the article, isn’t it? The whole idea is that you need to somehow appease the rich in order to do what’s necessary. That premise might be wrong but it is the premise of the article.
No, the premise of the article is "these are some 'bad' ideas, kick them around in your head and maybe we'll think up something 'good'" . It helps to read.
That’s not a premise what you are quoting there. (Please don’t make pointless accusations.)
Scott Adams posits that it is necessary to somehow appease the rich. He doesn’t call them whiners but depending on your perspective that might be a fair extrapolation.
Re: Scott Adams: How to Tax the Rich
#30Scott Adams is just talking about moving towards a visible aristocracy. These are the first baby steps.
Soon the rich will have special privileges just like the old days.