Quote Originally Posted by Duffryn View Post
Do you think the offspring of the person who cures cancer should inherit billions and not pay taxes on it? If you are arguing that people should keep money they have earned for themselves, then do you agree with 100% inheritance taxes?

Of course people should benefit from their hard work and talent, but its I think its right that money is taken from those who have everything a person could want and given to those in need. How does Mr "Richman" having 10 yachts help the evolution of humankind? Educating a bright kid born in a slum may in fact reap the benefit of that kid using that education to cure cancer.

It's also right that the government takes some of this money, since then the whole populace (theoretically) has a say in how it is spent. I would like to see Tom Cruise and John Travolta taxed a lot more heavily as I bet a lot of their money goes to the Church of Scientology and I would much prefer the American Government, whatever its flaws, to be spending it.
So the whole populace should have a say on how I spend my money in your theory correct? So basically, I should cede control of my own decisions on how to spend my money to the governments approximation of what is right and good? The problem I have with this is that the government fails to spend money in this fashion, at least in terms of my values. This approximation need not take place anyways.

I'm sure you would like to see John Travolta and Tom Cruise be less rich. Unfortunately for you, you represent the tiniest percent of the human race. On the other hand, anyone who sees a John Travolta or Tom Cruise movie, whether they actually want them to be rich or not, are sanctioning TC and JT to be rich. They are buying that $9 movie ticket in exchange for their entertainment and consequently in exchange for JT and TC's decision on how to use that money. Now if you then tax JT and TC a shitload, you are taking away the responsibility of the people for their own actions. And when people are not responsible for their own actions, there is no incentive to evolve.