Bill Gates told the World Economic Forum that countries, companies and individuals who have the most "should be pushed to be more generous."

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.

  • Eldritch@lemmy.worldEnglish
    35·
    11 months ago

    It’s got nothing to do with politeness. And everything to do with perceived disingenuousness. If you’re asking someone to point you to evidence of a wealthy person who maintains fleets of lawyers and assistants. To do things for them. Doing something personally, especially something incriminating. Can you admit to seeing how that might be seen as disingenuous and not wanting to actually find the truth? Nothing is almost ever as simple as that.

    • Aatube@kbin.social
      43·
      11 months ago

      Sure, but you’ve also got to admit that I can also see you as lazy and being very irritable at the second reply. https://kbin.social/m/[email protected]/t/780024/-/comment/4723316 is all I know right now, and it would only be all the more incriminating if he actually took a lobbying stance on this.

      • Eldritch@lemmy.worldEnglish
        33·
        11 months ago

        Logically you couldn’t. Because that would be seen by most as projection on your part.

        Regardless Gates and Buffet could do a lot more than almost anyone else to make this happen if they really cared. But they don’t. Warren Buffett is a cold cruel man. He didn’t get rich at Berkshire Hathaway by being Mr. Nice Guy. I think he likes pointing out The glaring double standards and contradictions. Watching people all huddle around him telling him what a great guy he is after he’s bankrupted so many people, etc. All while he has to do nothing other than meaningless platitudes. And Bill Gates. He’s so much worse. The head of and owner of the only company to successfully be charged with antitrust offenses in the last century. Who swindled and stole in some way large chunks of nearly every major product they ever had. It’s Rich to see him even mention this BS.

        Collectively I could set my watch for the last 20 plus years for every time these guys have spoken out like this and then done nothing. Empty words from empty men.