thanks for knowing what I think. And if you think my vocabulary on this site is large, I highly recommend you look at some of the other posters for a far more impressive large (and often useless) vocabulary. Was it the word “baseless” that was too big? ad hominem? that was it, wasn’t it? it simply means you attacked me instead of my idea.

if you think this statement:
“who should we rely upon to fund societal goods? Random acts of individual kindness or a society wide agreement for action?” is communist, you have a really limited (and terrible) definition and opinion of democracy, and quite the broad (and high) definition of communist.

When exactly did I say anyone had to give away their good living? you keep putting words into my mouth, its quite frustrating and insulting. I do wonder why someone making $10 million in income is ok giving up, say, $4 million, but not 4.5 million or even $5 million?

I believe in a large estate tax. I believe in a progressive tax system that does not shield investment income as though it were somehow more valuable than wage income. I do not believe corporations should receive much corporate welfare at all. That’s about it. and your system would be what? and my system is like communism how?

just curious–how’d you find this site? what brings you to ephblog and leads you to attack me out of the blue?

The reason I compared you to communist leaders is because, like them, you believe that wealth should be redistributed and everyone should share what they have. Would you prefer that I call you Robin Hood?

If someone’s worked hard to make a good living, please tell me why they should have to give it all away. It already happens to a degree, but apparently you think the wealthy should pay even more. I’d be interested in hearing your tax proposal.

you seem to have missed the part in which i said “a society wide agreement”. also–you really think the american tax system is adequately funding social programs? If so, I have some people who want to sell you a bridge. it’s in a great location…

I think there are a few Communist leaders who have beliefs similar to yours. Look into getting a visa.

In the meantime, I’m pretty sure progressive tax systems take these programs into account already.

Personally, I don’t like relying on a small subset of elite people having a large sense of noblesse oblige as one of the bases for social action, especially when that elite wealth is created via the same mechanisms that make society end up needing noblesse oblige.

your consideration of income inequality is disturbing. The proper comparison is not to williams alumni who choose teaching over finance; their rational choices are made from a position of privilege (they had the opportunity to go to finance and they chose not to).

Let’s talk actual human examples. What’s more valuable to society or to a perfect human being (such person, of course does not exist): an extra $10 million a year on $500 million of wealth or sending 1000 more students to college who otherwise would have had to take out large loans and work full-time while at college? Or sheltering 100 families who otherwise would not have afforded it? Those are human examples too.

It’s laughable that you complain that discussions of inequality lack human examples and then use an absolutely ridiculous example to prove your case.

Also a Williams alum