Are the rich paying their 'fair' share?

[Hauldren Collider]

I think that has more to do with living in a nice neighborhood (something that is taxed, by the way) than being rich.


xpost, gribby wins the race

[giblets]

The fact that you can walk outside at 11:33 pm and have a low risk of being the victim of a crime is just one privilege of your family's wealth.

It's a privilege of living in a neighborhood that doesn't suck. Of course the government does extort them into paying higher property taxes than people living in the ghetto.

[Al B. Sure!]

What are these benefits, other than money, which I'm pretty sure gets taxed?

The fact that you can walk outside at 11:33 pm and have a low risk of being the victim of a crime is just one privilege of your family's wealth.

[giblets]

You can't tax the benefits of social networking advantages that the rich have.

Because of the number of digits in their bank accounts? Really?

[Hauldren Collider]

The only status symbol that wouldn't get taxed is a suit vest made out of Benjamins. And by taking money out of circulation you're basically performing an act of charity to society, so I'd let that one slide.

[Hauldren Collider]

You can't tax the benefits of social networking advantages that the rich have.

What are these benefits, other than money, which I'm pretty sure gets taxed?

[giblets]

Privilege represents the intangible social benefits of possessing high social standing

The only reason money gives you any boost in social standing is that money can be exchanged for fancy things. If you can make a progressive consumption tax doesn't that cover conspicuous consumption?

[Al B. Sure!]

Okay, three things--the black market, bribes, and penis length compensation. Except status symbols still get taxed. So really, I think still two things.

But man, it's a real shame we can't directly tax feeling good about yourself.

You can't tax the benefits of social networking advantages that the rich have.

[Hauldren Collider]

Okay, three things--the black market, bribes, and penis length compensation. Except status symbols still get taxed. So really, I think still two things.

But man, it's a real shame we can't directly tax feeling good about yourself.

[Al B. Sure!]

What do you mean by that? The "privilege" of having the biggest house and the nicest car and a private jet? Are there any privileges associated with being rich that can't be hit by a consumption tax?

Privilege represents the intangible social benefits of possessing high social standing.

I'm not saying such privilege is significant (although it can be; for example, networking) but I assume that's where Jon Miller was going with this.

[Hauldren Collider]

So, the black market and bribes wouldn't get hit by a consumption tax. Oh no.

[giblets]

privilege

What do you mean by that? The "privilege" of having the biggest house and the nicest car and a private jet? Are there any privileges associated with being rich that can't be hit by a consumption tax?

[Al B. Sure!]

What would that be? Love?

privilege

[Hauldren Collider]

What else is there that can possibly be obtained? Seems to me that goods and services pretty much covers everything.

[giblets]

Are you stupid?

JM

I must be stupid if I think money is only useful for obtaining goods and services.