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Given that we are on HN, it is probably safe to assume most people here work in tech, earning 2x-3x the median salary or more. Would you actually want to be tax

Given that we are on HN, it is probably safe to assume most people here work in tech, earning 2x-3x the median salary or more. Would you actually want to be taxed at 90%?

lotsofpulp 8y ago
If that would help result in a society where people are more educated, relaxed, healthier, and feel like they are part of a community, then yes. Technology and the efficiencies of scale are allowing fewer people to do more and whether they deserve it or not is not the question. The question is what kind of society do we want to live in.
SolaceQuantum 8y ago
Full honestly, I don't even make a braggable amount in the greater HN group (if I posted my TC on Blind I'd probably be laughed out of the room) and I wouldn't mind my paycheck to be taxed 90% above a treshold in which I live comfortably, especially if through government programs I can live comfortably on less with minimal guilt that other people are living uncomfortably(or even being essentially worked to death) while working harder than me.
AlexTWithBeard 8y ago
I don't mind paying 90% on a top portion of my income. But before we start collecting more money, I'd like to see existing money used wisely. New York City spends about 30k per homeless. And it's still not possible to walk a couple of blocks in Midtown without stumbling upon a homeless person sleeping rough. New York subway has a budget of 8+ billion. London tube is about 2 billion. I can keep going, but from the above I'm sure if we tax everyone at 101% the government will still manage to run a deficit...
- agent008t 8y ago
  Given that not a single person here has protested against the idea of a 90% marginal tax rate, but some have expressed concerns about the funds being spent inefficiently, why not impose a voluntary tax on ourselves and agree to donate to charity 90% of earnings over a certain amount? Surely there are some very good charities that do work in the area you are most interested in - e.g. homelessness, educational scholarships, poverty in general? The added bonus is that a society where people voluntarily donate 90% to charity is a much better society than the one where people get taxed. It means a lot more when something is done voluntarily, and it changes the perceptions on the side of the people receiving the help.
aweiland 8y ago
1. Due to the way marginal rates work, no one would have their entire income taxed at 90%. 2. Yes, I would love to make enough money that my top marginal rate is 90%
rasz 8y ago
Would you actually want to be able to walk on LA/SD/SF streets without tripping over homeless tents and empty needles?

Given that we are on HN, it is probably safe to assume most people here work in tech, earning 2x-3x the median salary or more. Would you actually want to be taxed at 90%?

lotsofpulp 8y ago

If that would help result in a society where people are more educated, relaxed, healthier, and feel like they are part of a community, then yes. Technology and the efficiencies of scale are allowing fewer people to do more and whether they deserve it or not is not the question. The question is what kind of society do we want to live in.

SolaceQuantum 8y ago

Full honestly, I don't even make a braggable amount in the greater HN group (if I posted my TC on Blind I'd probably be laughed out of the room) and I wouldn't mind my paycheck to be taxed 90% above a treshold in which I live comfortably, especially if through government programs I can live comfortably on less with minimal guilt that other people are living uncomfortably(or even being essentially worked to death) while working harder than me.

AlexTWithBeard 8y ago

I don't mind paying 90% on a top portion of my income. But before we start collecting more money, I'd like to see existing money used wisely. New York City spends about 30k per homeless. And it's still not possible to walk a couple of blocks in Midtown without stumbling upon a homeless person sleeping rough. New York subway has a budget of 8+ billion. London tube is about 2 billion. I can keep going, but from the above I'm sure if we tax everyone at 101% the government will still manage to run a deficit...

agent008t 8y ago
Given that not a single person here has protested against the idea of a 90% marginal tax rate, but some have expressed concerns about the funds being spent inefficiently, why not impose a voluntary tax on ourselves and agree to donate to charity 90% of earnings over a certain amount? Surely there are some very good charities that do work in the area you are most interested in - e.g. homelessness, educational scholarships, poverty in general? The added bonus is that a society where people voluntarily donate 90% to charity is a much better society than the one where people get taxed. It means a lot more when something is done voluntarily, and it changes the perceptions on the side of the people receiving the help.

aweiland 8y ago

1. Due to the way marginal rates work, no one would have their entire income taxed at 90%. 2. Yes, I would love to make enough money that my top marginal rate is 90%

rasz 8y ago

Would you actually want to be able to walk on LA/SD/SF streets without tripping over homeless tents and empty needles?