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.

  • SpiceDealer@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    I’m not very smart but I do sense a catch here. If my ‘suspicion’ (if you can call it that) is right, could someone kindly explain it to me?

    • BeautifulMind ♾️@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      The catch is that if they pay taxes and life gets better for other people we agree to not bring out the torches, pitchforks, and guillotines or tar, feathers, and such

      • WoahWoah@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        The torches, pitchforks, guillotine, tar, and feathers aren’t going to reach a billionaire. They’re going to be used on whoever is around.

        You aren’t getting within five miles of a billionaire. They don’t play D&D and eat at McDonald’s, bro. Sorry.

        You are more likely to find yourself unfortunately headless than even getting the chance to hurt the feelings of a billionaire let alone their actual person.

        • BeautifulMind ♾️@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          The torches, pitchforks, guillotine, tar, and feathers aren’t going to reach a billionaire. They’re going to be used on whoever is around.

          The point, of course, is that the cost of being a billionaire is that you can’t go out in public- if the public is mad enough about it

          • WoahWoah@lemmy.world
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            1 year ago

            Billionaires don’t really go out in public even when the public isn’t mad about it. This is what I’m saying: people think they’re taking something from them that they don’t use and didn’t want in the first place.

            “That’s right! The righteous anger of the public now makes you appearing in public dangerous! Try going to MY McDonald’s, Mr. Man!”

            It’s just impotent hand waving and revenge fantasizing. Fine and well, I suppose. Oh no, what ever shall they do and all that. 🤣

            Financially speaking, a millionaire is far, far, far closer to a homeless drug addict than a billionaire.