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> I don't think welfare should be based on philanthropy, but I do think some billionaires are still philanthropic, e.g. Bill Gates. Billionaires shouldn't get

> I don't think welfare should be based on philanthropy, but I do think some billionaires are still philanthropic, e.g. Bill Gates. Billionaires shouldn't get a pass because of 'philanthropy'. That is an extra contribution that any person can make if they choose and can afford it. Paying your taxes - that is, contributing back to society to keep it functioning in a healthy, balanced way, is not only a requirement of civilization (in my view) it's even in these ultra-rich peoples' self-interest: they help to maintain the stability that underpins their massive wealth.

streamofdigits 5y ago
totally agree. philanthropy was once upon a time the only mechanism to align more primitive (red in tooth and claw) societies with evolving humanistic morality. we are now in 2021, or the "modern era" as we claim. we know for a fact that broad based welfare and individual economic freedoms can perfectly coexist in well regulated societies. philanthropy should become the exception, not the rule, practiced again by forward looking humanists that identify and remedy blind spots rather than being a crutch to a systemically broken system.
heurisko 5y ago
> Billionaires shouldn't get a pass because of 'philanthropy'. You're responding to a comment I didn't make. Bill Gates is a philanthropic person. That's not to say I think he shouldn't pay tax, or Microsoft not be the target of antitrust regulation. I also said welfare shouldn't depend on philanthropy. > Paying your taxes Billionaires (and high net worth individuals) are paying their taxes, even though what they count as "paying their taxes", should really count as tax evasion. I don't think appealing to the conscience of billionaires and high net worth individuals is effective. The rules need to change, and be enforced. In the EU, such tax evasion is built into the system [1]. This should have been solved already. It's an open secret; I don't find these data dumps revelatory at all. [1] https://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/nov/05/-sp-luxembourg-tax-files-tax-avoidance-industrial-scale https://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/nov/05/-sp-luxembo...

streamofdigits 5y ago

totally agree. philanthropy was once upon a time the only mechanism to align more primitive (red in tooth and claw) societies with evolving humanistic morality. we are now in 2021, or the "modern era" as we claim. we know for a fact that broad based welfare and individual economic freedoms can perfectly coexist in well regulated societies. philanthropy should become the exception, not the rule, practiced again by forward looking humanists that identify and remedy blind spots rather than being a crutch to a systemically broken system.

heurisko 5y ago

> Billionaires shouldn't get a pass because of 'philanthropy'. You're responding to a comment I didn't make. Bill Gates is a philanthropic person. That's not to say I think he shouldn't pay tax, or Microsoft not be the target of antitrust regulation. I also said welfare shouldn't depend on philanthropy. > Paying your taxes Billionaires (and high net worth individuals) are paying their taxes, even though what they count as "paying their taxes", should really count as tax evasion. I don't think appealing to the conscience of billionaires and high net worth individuals is effective. The rules need to change, and be enforced. In the EU, such tax evasion is built into the system [1]. This should have been solved already. It's an open secret; I don't find these data dumps revelatory at all. [1] https://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/nov/05/-sp-luxembourg-tax-files-tax-avoidance-industrial-scale https://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/nov/05/-sp-luxembo...