The concept of finding things more valuable to wealthy people raises some interesting thoughts:
Should Bill Gates pay more for a loaf of bread, because sustaining his life is more valuable than, say, my life?
Is the cost of locking up prisoners more valuable to Warren Buffet than it is to me?
Is the value of a well-maintained highway higher to Larry Elison than it is to me?
To put my cynical spin on this...I fear that indeed, if the government could figure out a way to charge Bill Gates more for a loaf of bread, it would do so; but so far, the marketplace has not provided the means to do this.
Nandu...I would be content if people could VOLUNTARILY pay more for things as they found them increasingly valuable, but I categorically REJECT the idea of the government imposing such concepts on me. [Oh, wait...I guess some things work this way already...I can buy a $80,000 Mercedes if I find value in that, but as an alternative, I can also buy a $20,000 Toyota if I find equal or better value there.]
As a final thought, it would be interesting to find out whether "wealthy" people are content with the idea that they actually need such higher protection.
Tax discussions always raise interesting thoughts, no?
Bill Shepherd |
