I think that billionaires gain their wealth by gaming the system, and it seems foolish to expect them to not continue to game any new system that they’re a part of. Especially given the degree of control you’re suggesting.
Idk, maybe it could work. Seems like there’s a lot that hinges on billionaires doing the right thing, and I’m skeptical that they would.
Instead of the $1 menu (wait does that still exist?) they get to choose from the billionaire menu except it’s required…as long as they can’t lobby for the billionaire menu items which is a dream too. It would have to be programs that actually show they help people in easing financial needs of course.
Thing is, this already happens, it’s just currently more in the billionaire’s favor because instead of tax it’s a “donation”. You’re proposing the same system that already exists with lobbyists and Super PACs, just more enforced. No one is going to bite that bait when they can just pay Scheister and Swindel, Attorneys at Law, to cut a private deal with the CEOs and senators of their choice, be completely unbeholden to public opinion about it, and not be required to do it again next tax season if it’s not profitable to do so.
Besides, I’ve had quite enough of rich assholes deciding that this year they’re going to donate $80m to exterminate the gays / to shut down solar startups / to arm all the cops with rocket launchers. In every situation, given the choice, they will always invest their money into whatever is most immediately profitable to them, morals or longevity be damned. This would cause our already easily-purchased politicians to be even more easily purchased and with semi public approval, as Elongated Muskrat now has a legal right to billionaire hero-worship? No thanks.
The special billionaire tax isn’t an awful idea. The perks attached to it are most definitely an awful, no good, very bad idea. If something like this did get implemented it would be an absolute requirement that the investor have no say in where these taxes are spent. They may advise in certain directions, but final say should be up to a jury of some sort.
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I think that billionaires gain their wealth by gaming the system, and it seems foolish to expect them to not continue to game any new system that they’re a part of. Especially given the degree of control you’re suggesting.
Idk, maybe it could work. Seems like there’s a lot that hinges on billionaires doing the right thing, and I’m skeptical that they would.
deleted by creator
Instead of the $1 menu (wait does that still exist?) they get to choose from the billionaire menu except it’s required…as long as they can’t lobby for the billionaire menu items which is a dream too. It would have to be programs that actually show they help people in easing financial needs of course.
This seems like royalty with extra steps
Thing is, this already happens, it’s just currently more in the billionaire’s favor because instead of tax it’s a “donation”. You’re proposing the same system that already exists with lobbyists and Super PACs, just more enforced. No one is going to bite that bait when they can just pay Scheister and Swindel, Attorneys at Law, to cut a private deal with the CEOs and senators of their choice, be completely unbeholden to public opinion about it, and not be required to do it again next tax season if it’s not profitable to do so.
Besides, I’ve had quite enough of rich assholes deciding that this year they’re going to donate $80m to exterminate the gays / to shut down solar startups / to arm all the cops with rocket launchers. In every situation, given the choice, they will always invest their money into whatever is most immediately profitable to them, morals or longevity be damned. This would cause our already easily-purchased politicians to be even more easily purchased and with semi public approval, as Elongated Muskrat now has a legal right to billionaire hero-worship? No thanks.
The special billionaire tax isn’t an awful idea. The perks attached to it are most definitely an awful, no good, very bad idea. If something like this did get implemented it would be an absolute requirement that the investor have no say in where these taxes are spent. They may advise in certain directions, but final say should be up to a jury of some sort.