skeeter,
>>you assume that there is a direct correlation between hard work and wealth.<<<
There is definitely a correlation. It's just not the only factor.
>the VAST contributor to wealth is blind, dumb luck. picture bill gates born a black kid in south central going to public school instead of being born to two rich attorney parents and sent to the best high school in seattle.
what *effort* did bill put in to deserve where he was born?<
Being born to wealthy and bright parents made it more likely that he would turn out to be a very good capital allocator and business man. If money is going to get passed on, I would rather it get passed on to someone where the probabilities of it being used effectively and creating more jobs and better standards of living for all of us are higher than passing it on to government where the probabilities are close to zero!
>giving money to charity is consistent with his ultimate goal of helping out society (either through charity or through other taxes). you misstated his position in an attempt to make him look hypocritical. that's not true!
he gave to three different charities. again, there is no inconsistency.<
There is an inconsistency.
He can avoid taxes and meet all his personal and private values. Many Americans cannot avoid taxes and meet their personal and private values because they want to pass their businesses and wealth on to their children.
Like a said, change the tax system and I GUARANTEE he would have left all that money to his children.
>i'd also wager that buffett's real concern are the uncaring, selfish, arrogant uber rich that make their money off of society and don't kick back to the society that made them wealthy due to their initial good fortune. i'll bet he has no problem with a graduated death tax rate that would spare some of those less fortunate.<
Look this idea that it's all good fortune and luck is all BULLSHIT. Luck is a factor, but every single person I know that has advanced materially was some combination of bright, very hard working, and very prudent.
I don't dislike HIS VALUES.
I don't think he or anyone else should impose their values on others via the tax system and think using the tax system would hurt his stated goal of using money effectively and reflecting his own values.
Oh yea, I forgot the tax system already works for him. It's everyone else he wants to screw so it also reflects his values. |
