A recent study by the economists Emmanuel Saez and Gabriel Zucman found that, as a result of cuts to estate and corporate taxes, as well as the 2017 G.O.P. tax bill, the four hundred richest Americans pay a lower over-all tax rate than any other group in the country. In a Times Op-Ed, Saez and Zucman wrote, “This is the tax system of a plutocracy.”
That’s one of several fascinating and quite unsettling little nuggets in this excellent, easy-to-read piece.
There’s no need to banter about Abigail Disney, her personality and values, although it’s a bit hard to resist. She’s quite a character, to say the least. The more important/productive thing, from my perspective, would be to try to clarify the problem and actually address it. I know plenty of people who don’t think rising inequality is an issue. So that’s the place to start.
The part with all the rich people in an orchid-filled room arguing about the definition of rich is perfect. Secrecy and shame are the huge factors. I personally know lots of mega-wealthy people who don’t have the emotional capacity to confront their own wealth, so they develop these traumatizing mental blocks, as an attempt to hide from reality.
Perfect timing, the conversations of "is capitalism broken? but what else?" has been coming up in my friend group a lot.
Some real thought provoking things here, like the tax rates for mega-rich etc. As a Nevadan, I see a ton of mega-rich companies getting insane tax breaks, and a lot of people sheltering companies here.
The article made quite a dig too with calling out people for valuing money & greed over other humans. I'm interested to see more like this.
Yup. Stuff like this is pretty aggressive, but I think true:
“Our goal is to begin to challenge the wealthy to understand that inequality is at such a destabilizing level right now that, by sitting on the sidelines, you’re effectively adding to the problem,” Pym said.
That’s one of several fascinating and quite unsettling little nuggets in this excellent, easy-to-read piece.
There’s no need to banter about Abigail Disney, her personality and values, although it’s a bit hard to resist. She’s quite a character, to say the least. The more important/productive thing, from my perspective, would be to try to clarify the problem and actually address it. I know plenty of people who don’t think rising inequality is an issue. So that’s the place to start.
The part with all the rich people in an orchid-filled room arguing about the definition of rich is perfect. Secrecy and shame are the huge factors. I personally know lots of mega-wealthy people who don’t have the emotional capacity to confront their own wealth, so they develop these traumatizing mental blocks, as an attempt to hide from reality.
Chuck Collins sounds dope.
I'm grateful the author touched on the shame of the rich by quoting Abigail Disney:
I can't believe that our country's policy decisions are driven by this idea, even though it's been widely disproven:
I appreciate Erica Payne for being so explicit:
Yupvote!
Perfect timing, the conversations of "is capitalism broken? but what else?" has been coming up in my friend group a lot.
Some real thought provoking things here, like the tax rates for mega-rich etc. As a Nevadan, I see a ton of mega-rich companies getting insane tax breaks, and a lot of people sheltering companies here.
The article made quite a dig too with calling out people for valuing money & greed over other humans. I'm interested to see more like this.
Yup. Stuff like this is pretty aggressive, but I think true: