Bill Gates wants ultra-wealthy individuals to pay more tax — and now a growing chorus of billionaires agree.
In his annual “Ask Me Anything” forum on Reddit last year, the Microsoft cofounder said he was “surprised” that taxes for the rich haven’t been increased more.
Gates doubled down on his calls to tax the rich in a panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week. He said the wealthiest nations should donate more money to developing countries to help redress inequality.
“Those who have the most — whether it’s countries, companies, or individuals — should be pushed to be more generous,” he said.
It seems others agree, as more than 250 ultra-wealthy people signed an open letter calling for global leaders to impose a wealth tax.
What would stop them from just funding housing, healthcare or education by themselves, if they want to contribute to society?
It’s still a massive difference to taxes. Society should decide where the money goes, not the wealthy individuals themselves
That would put them behind those who wouldn’t do it, if every rich person is forced to pay more taxes noone loses power
Bingo. They could do it themselves, but they want to spend other people’s money, not just their own. Same as any other tax. Bonus PR points for appearing “generous”.
Do you want an American Sengoku Warring States era? Because this is how you build an American Sengoku Warring States era. It would very rapidly devolve into multiple self-contained nations each lorded over by a different billionaire. They would each come with their own schools and housing and military. It would be the end of whatever United we still have left in our States.
A lot of them do, which is how schools, hospitals, etc. get people’s names on them. But I don’t really want the existence of quality infrastructure to be dependent on their charitability.
Not to mention that it gives them control over those things. They might only give money to build a religious school, or build a hospital that refuses to provide reproductive healthcare.
TBF Bill Gates does.