• argv_minus_one@beehaw.org
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    3
    ·
    10 months ago

    All people are essentially born with no assets

    False. The children of rich people are born rich. That’s a major part of the problem. It creates dynasties.

    • DataDecay@beehaw.org
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      edit-2
      10 months ago

      This is an area I have said needs to be taxed to hell, there is no good reason we should allow the passing of wealth without heavy penalty. I’m convinced that if we taxed all forms of wealth transfer at something like 80%, we could pretty much get rid of income tax. Income you have earned should be your entitlement, assets passed down to you should be where the taxes cut in.

      • argv_minus_one@beehaw.org
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        10 months ago

        So, you have to sell off 80% of your dead mother’s mementos unless you’re rich? Careful—your proposal is good in spirit, but has ugly side effects that need to be carefully avoided.

        • DataDecay@beehaw.org
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          1
          ·
          edit-2
          10 months ago

          I’d rather sell off mementos than lose livelihood. We all know the top 1% shelter and live off non income based tax shelters, and then just pass those shelters on through legacies. Given the arbitrary caps on assets your grandmother’s Polaroids would likely be safe. You wont see good faith attempts to fix taxes regardless though, as politicians are in the business of making money, so would never go after their own livelihood.