this post was submitted on 26 Apr 2024
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[–] Zombiepirate@lemmy.world 0 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (1 children)

What I have said is the tax system should be fair.

By reducing the amount that the people who benefit most (by orders of magnitude) from our society pay into it. Yeah. That sure sounds fair to me.

What an intelligent and viable solution!

[–] wintermute_oregon@lemm.ee 0 points 6 months ago (1 children)

I have never suggested that. Nice Strawman you built there!

[–] Zombiepirate@lemmy.world 0 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (1 children)
[–] wintermute_oregon@lemm.ee 0 points 6 months ago (2 children)

The rich already pay more than their fair taxes. If you have a cite to show otherwise, I would love to see it.

https://taxfoundation.org/research/all/federal/rich-pay-their-fair-share-of-taxes/

As this chart shows, The top 1% pay 40% of all taxes but only bring in 20% of the income. That is paying their fair share.

The top 5% pay 20% of the taxes but only bring in 15% of the income.

So yes, I deserve a tax cut, and most likely, you deserve a tax increase.

[–] Zombiepirate@lemmy.world 0 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (1 children)

Wait, I thought you never said that?

That paper ignores people's capacity to pay.

Even the Bible recognizes that a poor widow's mite is a bigger ask than a wealthy person's contribution of a larger portion of their income. That was written two thousand years ago, but somehow conservatives still haven't come to the same obvious conclusion.

Our society is specifically set up to funnel money to oligarchs, and then they cry about having to contribute to that system? Boo fucking hoo.

[–] wintermute_oregon@lemm.ee 0 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Why are you quoting the bible? The bible also says I shouldn't eat shellfish. Leave your sky God out of the discussion.

That paper ignores people’s capacity to pay.

People need to be responsible for their finances. The answer isn't to make other people pay your way in life. As California and New York learned, people will leave and their budgets are wrecked.

[–] Zombiepirate@lemmy.world 0 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (1 children)

If you actually read what I wrote you'd understand my point.

Nothing you said to me is a response to my post.

Try again.

Your peacocking value judgement is adorable, but irrelevant.

[–] wintermute_oregon@lemm.ee 0 points 6 months ago (1 children)

No, it answers what you said but you choose to think otherwise.

I will make it simple for you.

Elon typically earns 1 dollar per year.

How much should he pay in taxes on that 1 dollar?

Your point is invalid. High-income earners already pay more in taxes, not only as a percentage but also as a total of their income.

You don't see the irony in wanting others to pay more but not wanting to pay more yourself.

[–] Zombiepirate@lemmy.world 0 points 6 months ago (1 children)

I will make it simple for you.

Elon typically earns 1 dollar per year.

How much should he pay in taxes on that 1 dollar?

And I'll add back in the context that you're desperate to jettison.

Let's look at a situation that resembles the real world:

Elon Musk earns about $1.5 billion dollars/year with an estimated net worth of about $150 billion.

The median American income is about $70k/year with an estimated net worth of $193k

Musk should be taxed at 90% like we did for top earners during the biggest economic expansion in our nation's history.

Your point is invalid. High-income earners already pay more in taxes, not only as a percentage but also as a total of their income.

And that wasn't my point; you're trying to change the argument because you know you're wrong.

You don't see the irony in wanting others to pay more but not wanting to pay more yourself.

I would love for you to point out where I said I wouldn't be willing to pay more in taxes. This accusation is a confession, it seems.

[–] wintermute_oregon@lemm.ee 0 points 6 months ago (2 children)

Elon Musk earns about $1.5 billion dollars/year with an estimated net worth of about $150 billion.

False. Elon does not earn $1.5 billion a year. That is not his income. His net worth has nothing to do with his income.

Musk should be taxed at 90% like we did for top earners during the biggest economic expansion in our nation’s history.

That is also false. Income was taxed at 90%, not wealth. We have never taxed wealth because it is unconstitutional. Also, the tax code was very different back then, and only 1 person ever paid that level of tax. People had many more deductions than they do now.

And that wasn’t my point; you’re trying to change the argument because you know you’re wrong. No, I am right, as you demonstrated here that you don't know the difference between income, wealth, and even how taxes have worked historically.

I would love for you to point out where I said I wouldn’t be willing to pay more in taxes. This accusation is a confession, it seems.

How much more do you think your tax bracket should pay to keep the current rates for all the other brackets?

[–] Zombiepirate@lemmy.world 0 points 6 months ago (1 children)

I'm done pretending you're a serious person arguing seriously.

Anyone can say "nuh-uh."

I also never said wealth was taxed. I said his income should be taxed (in response to your question).

You're misrepresenting my argument at every step like you always do. Your sealion question at the end is irrelevant; you have no idea how much I earn, and I'm not here to impress Internet strangers like you seem to be. Bet you're real close to that billion though if you keep grinding!

Bet it burns you up that you can't ban me from here.

[–] wintermute_oregon@lemm.ee 0 points 6 months ago

I also never said wealth was taxed. I said his income should be taxed (in response to your question). then why did you bring up Elon's wealth?

You’re misrepresenting my argument at every step like you always do.

Then, be more clear. Don't blame me because you can't articulate your thoughts well. You are talking about wealth but claim you are not talking about wealth. Elon does not earn $1.5 billion per year. That is factually inaccurate.

Your sealion question at the end is irrelevant; you have no idea how much I earn, and I’m not here to impress Internet strangers like you seem to be. You said you would pay more but when asked, it's now sealioning? Never asked how much you earned. I asked how much more your bracket should pay since you said you would pay more.

Bet you’re real close to that billion though if you keep grinding! Not even close and not even a goal of mine.

Bet it burns you up that you can’t ban me from here. It's so weird you try to turn everything personal instead of having a discussion. Instead of trying to talk about me, why not engage in the discussion?

[–] TheKMAP@lemmynsfw.com 0 points 6 months ago (1 children)

"buy borrow die" is totally income, dude. It's just not taxed, and step-up basis makes it worse.

The net worth is used to fund everyday expenses, it is effectively income.

[–] wintermute_oregon@lemm.ee 0 points 6 months ago (1 children)

“buy borrow die” is totally income, dude. It is not income under the law but I have no issues taxing it as income or preventing the practice.

If Bernie wasn't so dumb, that is where he would focus his angst. I suspect few people really understand that is how Elon supports himself through loans and not income.

One day, those loans have to be called, but until then, there is no income.

[–] TheKMAP@lemmynsfw.com 0 points 6 months ago (1 children)

I wouldn't be surprised if those loans are repaid without realizing the gain of the collateral. Step-up basis is a huge tax dodge, and tax dodge is theft from all the people who would benefit from the things those taxes could pay for.

The way the rich use loans as income is unfair. Therefore the rich do not pay their fair share.

[–] wintermute_oregon@lemm.ee 0 points 6 months ago (1 children)

It would be interesting to see how many of the rich are using loans to bypass taxes.

I have only heard of a few cases dealing with tech wealthy people who are paid mainly in stock.

I do think it is an issue and something should be done about it.

It is a fallout from being a public company and we can regulate that much easier.

I think our whole tax system needs to be burned down and replaced.

[–] TheKMAP@lemmynsfw.com 0 points 6 months ago (1 children)

If you agree the system is broken I encourage you to reconsider your prior statements about the rich not paying their fair share.

Rich people do a variety of shady stuff and keep it hidden (Panama papers), I wouldn't trust your lack of data points to mean it isn't a pervasive problem.

[–] wintermute_oregon@lemm.ee 0 points 6 months ago

That’s moving the goalpost.

The pay their fair share of income tax.

The issue is there is a way to avoid income.

That’s the problem we need to solve. Technically they’re taking on debt to avoid taxes. Sounds reasonable but those are loans we couldn’t get. It’s just a tax avoidance system.

[–] sandman@lemmy.ca 0 points 6 months ago (1 children)

The rich already pay more than their fair taxes.

Yeah. Don't listen to this guy.

[–] wintermute_oregon@lemm.ee 0 points 6 months ago (1 children)
[–] sandman@lemmy.ca 0 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (1 children)

It really boils down to this: why would you go to bat for people who have more than you? They only get more by taking in more than they put out. This is called "maximizing profit."

At every turn, the people you're defending do not say "Neuromancer pays his fair share of x." They always look for ways to get you to pay the absolute most that you are willing and able.

It does not make sense for people like you to say millionaires "pay their fair share" when they only become wealthy due to exploitation of everyone else who has to work for a living.

The fact this needs to be explained to you really shows how unaware you are of the world you live in. If you're over the age of 18 and you still haven't figured these basic facts out, that means you're being taken advantage of left and right without even realizing it.

"A fool and his money are soon parted."

[–] wintermute_oregon@lemm.ee 0 points 6 months ago

It really boils down to this: why would you go to bat for people who have more than you? Because someone always has more than someone else. Unless you are number one, someone always has more than you do. A fair society is not one that punishes the successful people. You make sure the system is fair.

It does not make sense for people like you to say millionaires “pay their fair share” when they only become wealthy due to exploitation of everyone else who has to work for a living.

I don't buy that at all. Going to work is not being exploited. I go to work every day, and I am not exploited. I am paid fairly for the work I do.

If you’re over the age of 18 and you still haven’t figured these basic facts out, that means you’re being taken advantage of left and right without even realizing it. Or maybe I am not being taken advantage of. Maybe I am paid fairly for the work I do, and I am happy with my pay. the only thing I am unhappy about is having to pay more than my fair share of taxes for people who don't want to pay their fair share.