4 ms·

It's the latter. There is probably some value in taxing unrealized stock gains. If you purchased Google stock via options at the IPO, and have still yet to se

It's the latter. There is probably some value in taxing unrealized stock gains. If you purchased Google stock via options at the IPO, and have still yet to sell it, it would be reasonable to consider a portion of that profit locked in, and somehow tax it. It would be complicated, and challenging, but leaving that stock entirely untaxed until it is sold or inherited incurs different problems.

fIoat 5y ago
One thing to consider is how having a large amount of stocks allows you to borrow on margin and move other people's money around in ways the less wealthy cannot. I wonder if the aim here is to tax the power, not necessarily the wealth.
- phendrenad2 5y ago
  I'm all for taxing people whenever they benefit from their wealth. Stocks sitting in an account somewhere? Those aren't benefitting the owner. Stocks used to borrow money? Now they become a tangible benefit, and we can figure out how much to tax that event.
lotsofpulp 5y ago
>It's the latter. It is not media companies creating clickbait headlines to induce outrage and get clicks. In this case, it is the President using taxpayer resources to mislead the public. While the former is problematic, the latter is far worse as it reduces trust in the whole system of governance.
- secabeen 5y ago
  > In this case, it is the President using taxpayer resources to mislead the public. While the former is problematic, the latter is far worse as it reduces trust in the whole system of governance. Perhaps, but I can't think of any policy remedy that would prevent this. Leaders have made misleading statements to their people since time immemorial. It is incumbent on us to develop our critical thinking skills so we can call those leaders out on their misleading statements (as you are doing here), and allow that understanding to impact who we support and elevate to those positions of leadership.
  - s1artibartfast 5y ago
    There isn't a policy solution, but people on both sides of the aisle need to call out intellectual dishonesty in order to preserve or raise the bar of General discourse. It's not okay if someone lies or Miss leaves just because it furthers your sides political agenda

fIoat 5y ago

One thing to consider is how having a large amount of stocks allows you to borrow on margin and move other people's money around in ways the less wealthy cannot. I wonder if the aim here is to tax the power, not necessarily the wealth.

phendrenad2 5y ago
I'm all for taxing people whenever they benefit from their wealth. Stocks sitting in an account somewhere? Those aren't benefitting the owner. Stocks used to borrow money? Now they become a tangible benefit, and we can figure out how much to tax that event.

lotsofpulp 5y ago

>It's the latter. It is not media companies creating clickbait headlines to induce outrage and get clicks. In this case, it is the President using taxpayer resources to mislead the public. While the former is problematic, the latter is far worse as it reduces trust in the whole system of governance.

secabeen 5y ago
> In this case, it is the President using taxpayer resources to mislead the public. While the former is problematic, the latter is far worse as it reduces trust in the whole system of governance. Perhaps, but I can't think of any policy remedy that would prevent this. Leaders have made misleading statements to their people since time immemorial. It is incumbent on us to develop our critical thinking skills so we can call those leaders out on their misleading statements (as you are doing here), and allow that understanding to impact who we support and elevate to those positions of leadership.
- s1artibartfast 5y ago
  There isn't a policy solution, but people on both sides of the aisle need to call out intellectual dishonesty in order to preserve or raise the bar of General discourse. It's not okay if someone lies or Miss leaves just because it furthers your sides political agenda