Quote:
Originally Posted by gtahvit
Well, I really don't have a response to your view on what is fair. We certainly don't agree on what makes someone successful. Nor do we agree that just because you make more money you are obligated to give a larger percentage of it away. What you describe is closer to socialism than a democracy or capitalism. Let the Government decide how much you should make, and then let them decide what services they should provide you with.
And yes it is completely fair that the top 1% earns 17% of the total income. Because there is nothing preventing any of us from being in that top 1%. and if they paid 17% of the taxes that would even be more fair. But they pay 35%. And in spite of that discrepancy, you give me the impression that you think this is more than fair because they are wealthy and it isn't fair that some aren't. And you justify that by saying rich people don't work hard enough to justify having all that wealth.
Like I said, I just don't have an answer for you. I appreciate your position. But see no reason to continue this debate. We are so polarly opposite that you might as well try and trade Jeeter to Boston. 
It's time to agree to disagree.  
I concede to you the last word. |
Haha I'm with you on the agree to disagree. I just wanted to sort of voice the other side of the argument. I am very happy this hasn't gotten out of hand and is still a very good discussion.
My point on the topic was basically
you are only as strong as your weakest link. Throughout history, if the poles of wealth get to far apart, everything collapses. Hence the French revolution. I'm not going to the point of saying the government deserves over half your money. You do realize that the highest tax bracket is 35%, while in almost every country in europe the brackets START at 50%? At the very highest bracket, you get to keep 65% of your money for whatever you earn. This certainly wouldn't discourage me from working, 65% of a 5,000 dollar raise is over 3 grand. Plus with all the little loopholes in the system, you can easily get your money taxed down to 30% or below. Now, what do you do every day? You use roads, buy gas, use banks, use utilities, eat food, get protected, etc etc. all that is paid for directly or indirectly by the government. If you are making a good amount of money, why wouldn't you want these systems to stay intact? That is what you rely on at your job and indirectly the very reason you make the money in the first place.
I'm not looking for agreement here, to each their own, I just want some understanding is all...