4 ms·

> I think a $2bn endowment that hands out $200mm/yr to those who are most in need is pretty damned cool. Tax is a superior way of doing this. Tax and where to

> I think a $2bn endowment that hands out $200mm/yr to those who are most in need is pretty damned cool. Tax is a superior way of doing this. Tax and where to spend it is in principle decided by all the people, democratically, whereas this method is decided at the whims of one man who got lucky.

fossuser 8y ago
Maybe? I’d rather Elon Musk have his money, the same might be true for Bezos.
quest88 8y ago
Where do you live? In the US this isn't true. In the US we've decided to democratically spend it on the military.
- johneth 8y ago
  > In the US this isn't true. In the US we've decided to democratically spend it on the military. So it is true. The People (collectively) have decided to elect those whose policies are to spend money on the military rather than other things. If you want to change this policy, you need to find likeminded people and together convince enough other people change their minds.
  - quest88 8y ago
    I was using 'democratic' sarcastically (but I didn't do a good job conveying that). What I was trying to convey is that due to lobbying and corruption money eventually gets routed away from what the politician you voted for said they'd put money towards.
- gowld 8y ago
  If by "military" you also mean Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, unemployment insurance, space exploration, K-12 education, and scientific research sure.
  - dplgk 8y ago
    I'd like to see the budget for each of those services.
jjeaff 8y ago
Tax might "hypothetically" the best way. But it has got to be one of the least efficient means to redistribute wealth ever.
- johneth 8y ago
  Two questions: how are you defining 'efficient', and what are some more 'efficient' means to redistribute wealth?
  - v_lisivka 8y ago
    Wealth redistribution is not a goal. Goal is to avoid stratification of nation. And the most effective way to avoid stratification is progressive tax system. Efficiency can be calculated as (dollars spent on primary goal)/(total dollar spent).
  - jjeaff 8y ago
    Capitalism. Not perfect. But by far has the best results so far.

fossuser 8y ago

Maybe? I’d rather Elon Musk have his money, the same might be true for Bezos.

quest88 8y ago

Where do you live? In the US this isn't true. In the US we've decided to democratically spend it on the military.

johneth 8y ago
> In the US this isn't true. In the US we've decided to democratically spend it on the military. So it is true. The People (collectively) have decided to elect those whose policies are to spend money on the military rather than other things. If you want to change this policy, you need to find likeminded people and together convince enough other people change their minds.
- quest88 8y ago
  I was using 'democratic' sarcastically (but I didn't do a good job conveying that). What I was trying to convey is that due to lobbying and corruption money eventually gets routed away from what the politician you voted for said they'd put money towards.
gowld 8y ago
If by "military" you also mean Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, unemployment insurance, space exploration, K-12 education, and scientific research sure.
- dplgk 8y ago
  I'd like to see the budget for each of those services.

jjeaff 8y ago

Tax might "hypothetically" the best way. But it has got to be one of the least efficient means to redistribute wealth ever.

johneth 8y ago
Two questions: how are you defining 'efficient', and what are some more 'efficient' means to redistribute wealth?
- v_lisivka 8y ago
  Wealth redistribution is not a goal. Goal is to avoid stratification of nation. And the most effective way to avoid stratification is progressive tax system. Efficiency can be calculated as (dollars spent on primary goal)/(total dollar spent).
- jjeaff 8y ago
  Capitalism. Not perfect. But by far has the best results so far.