The ultra rich dodge taxes on 20+ trillion dollars. In other news, water is damp.

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Russirishican

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Feb 9, 2011
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Edible Avatar said:
nikki191 said:
some days i long to read a head line that states "caymen islands banking system hacked, 30 trillion dollars stolen and in an unrelated story hundreds of billions given to charities world wide in anonymous donations"
The charities would be forced to return it at gunpoint. Better method?

Burn it.
Less money in the system reels back inflation, meaning everyone else's money is now worth slightly more >:)
Wait, so you mean printing more money to throw at problems doesn't solve them? Its been working for our current government.
 

Saucycarpdog

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Sep 30, 2009
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ToastiestZombie said:
Avalanche91 said:
Putting it in a historic perspective, every time the divide between rich and poor gets too large, there will be revolts. The whole Occupy movement was just a herald for things to come if the divide gets worse.
And because it will get worse, I'm betting revolts will actually get pretty damn violent within 25 years.

Keeping with the historic perspective; I remember last time there was a big revolt against the elite, literal heads were rolling. I'm all for keeping this tradition in tact.
Personally I don't see a revolution of any sorts any time soon, no matter how shite it gets (I'm talking about Britain and the US). The problem with a lot of people today are that they're INCREDIBLY apathetic, they're not gonna be willing to fight and die against anyone because "someone else'll sort it out". Also, I'm pretty sure if they could the British and US armies could wipe out any revolutionary forces with a quick swoop. All they have to do is say they're terrorists.

OT: Like what I've just said, I'm very apathetic. I'm only 14 for gods sake, it's not like I can do anything at all. And the adults of today have pretty much fucked my chances of success for tomorrow, what with university fees and more idiotic test systems and that. I care about the story of course, but really whining about it on an internet forum's not going to help anybody.
Revolution doesn't always mean guns and fires. We in the US can be very creative with how to protest, since we practically invented the practice.
 

SL33TBL1ND

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Nov 9, 2008
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Saucycarpdog said:
ToastiestZombie said:
Avalanche91 said:
Putting it in a historic perspective, every time the divide between rich and poor gets too large, there will be revolts. The whole Occupy movement was just a herald for things to come if the divide gets worse.
And because it will get worse, I'm betting revolts will actually get pretty damn violent within 25 years.

Keeping with the historic perspective; I remember last time there was a big revolt against the elite, literal heads were rolling. I'm all for keeping this tradition in tact.
Personally I don't see a revolution of any sorts any time soon, no matter how shite it gets (I'm talking about Britain and the US). The problem with a lot of people today are that they're INCREDIBLY apathetic, they're not gonna be willing to fight and die against anyone because "someone else'll sort it out". Also, I'm pretty sure if they could the British and US armies could wipe out any revolutionary forces with a quick swoop. All they have to do is say they're terrorists.

OT: Like what I've just said, I'm very apathetic. I'm only 14 for gods sake, it's not like I can do anything at all. And the adults of today have pretty much fucked my chances of success for tomorrow, what with university fees and more idiotic test systems and that. I care about the story of course, but really whining about it on an internet forum's not going to help anybody.
Revolution doesn't always mean guns and fires. We in the US can be very creative with how to protest, since we practically invented the practice.
Invented revolutions? Ok [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_revolutions_and_rebellions].

As for OT, everyone. I am neither surprised nor do I care. If that money had been taxed, it would probably have been misspent just like the money we do have.
 

theultimateend

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Nov 1, 2007
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Theseus32 said:
To further put it into perspective, if this money had been being taxed, if these shelters had been eliminated, there would be no debt crisis in africa, spain, greece, the UK, the US or anywhere else on earth.
So what you are saying is that its all Teachers and Firefighters faults.

I knew it!
 

Bocaj2000

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Sep 10, 2008
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Tirunus said:
Invade the caymans, steal ALL the money, hang the fuckers, solve hunger in Africa, the US debt and pretty much everything that is wrong with the world that can be fixed with money.
This comment fits your avatar well:)
 

Saucycarpdog

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Sep 30, 2009
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SL33TBL1ND said:
Saucycarpdog said:
ToastiestZombie said:
Avalanche91 said:
Putting it in a historic perspective, every time the divide between rich and poor gets too large, there will be revolts. The whole Occupy movement was just a herald for things to come if the divide gets worse.
And because it will get worse, I'm betting revolts will actually get pretty damn violent within 25 years.

Keeping with the historic perspective; I remember last time there was a big revolt against the elite, literal heads were rolling. I'm all for keeping this tradition in tact.
Personally I don't see a revolution of any sorts any time soon, no matter how shite it gets (I'm talking about Britain and the US). The problem with a lot of people today are that they're INCREDIBLY apathetic, they're not gonna be willing to fight and die against anyone because "someone else'll sort it out". Also, I'm pretty sure if they could the British and US armies could wipe out any revolutionary forces with a quick swoop. All they have to do is say they're terrorists.

OT: Like what I've just said, I'm very apathetic. I'm only 14 for gods sake, it's not like I can do anything at all. And the adults of today have pretty much fucked my chances of success for tomorrow, what with university fees and more idiotic test systems and that. I care about the story of course, but really whining about it on an internet forum's not going to help anybody.
Revolution doesn't always mean guns and fires. We in the US can be very creative with how to protest, since we practically invented the practice.
Invented revolutions? Ok [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_revolutions_and_rebellions].

As for OT, everyone. I am neither surprised nor do I care. If that money had been taxed, it would probably have been misspent just like the money we do have.
I said protest, not revolutions. And I'm refering to the first amendment of our constitution.
 

SL33TBL1ND

Elite Member
Nov 9, 2008
6,467
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Saucycarpdog said:
SL33TBL1ND said:
Saucycarpdog said:
ToastiestZombie said:
Avalanche91 said:
Putting it in a historic perspective, every time the divide between rich and poor gets too large, there will be revolts. The whole Occupy movement was just a herald for things to come if the divide gets worse.
And because it will get worse, I'm betting revolts will actually get pretty damn violent within 25 years.

Keeping with the historic perspective; I remember last time there was a big revolt against the elite, literal heads were rolling. I'm all for keeping this tradition in tact.
Personally I don't see a revolution of any sorts any time soon, no matter how shite it gets (I'm talking about Britain and the US). The problem with a lot of people today are that they're INCREDIBLY apathetic, they're not gonna be willing to fight and die against anyone because "someone else'll sort it out". Also, I'm pretty sure if they could the British and US armies could wipe out any revolutionary forces with a quick swoop. All they have to do is say they're terrorists.

OT: Like what I've just said, I'm very apathetic. I'm only 14 for gods sake, it's not like I can do anything at all. And the adults of today have pretty much fucked my chances of success for tomorrow, what with university fees and more idiotic test systems and that. I care about the story of course, but really whining about it on an internet forum's not going to help anybody.
Revolution doesn't always mean guns and fires. We in the US can be very creative with how to protest, since we practically invented the practice.
Invented revolutions? Ok [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_revolutions_and_rebellions].

As for OT, everyone. I am neither surprised nor do I care. If that money had been taxed, it would probably have been misspent just like the money we do have.
I said protest, not revolutions. And I'm refering to the first amendment of our constitution.
Saying you invented protests is kinda wrong as well. The word Protestant [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protest#Historical_notions] is kinda an indication of that.

But if all you're saying is that Americans are the people who wrote the American first amendment, go for it.
 

McMullen

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Mar 9, 2010
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Hm. Wonder if the US will be as willing to go after them as it has been to go after foreign copyright violators. Somehow I doubt it.

I see a lot of people here saying it wouldn't make any difference, that there'd be the same amount of waste and overspending. I'd like to point out that, while true, our current situation is still far worse than it would be if that money were in the economy. If you made ten times what you make now, you too would probably spend close to (or over) your means. That doesn't stop you from wanting a higher income though, does it? Your life, in material terms, would likely be better and you could accomplish more.

Same with the governement programs that could be funded by that money. To say it doesn't make a difference merely because the ratio of spending and income wouldn't change is to fail economics.
 

Syzygy23

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Sep 20, 2010
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Pinkamena said:
It's sad that this is the state of the world. As the world becomes more and more connected, and mulitnational, billion-dollar companies starts to dominate the market, fewer and fewer people gets more and more power and money. Unless something happens to the western consumerist lifestyle, I don't see it changing. I think eventually, companies will get more power than the government, sort of like the banks have (at least in USA).
Not for long, a lot of people have been switching to credit unions lately (At least in Washington state)

A Credit Union is basically a bank, except completely non-profit. Outside of operational costs, of course.

As much as I like demonizing the redundantly wealthy as anyone else, I have to wonder... What would I do if I had all that money?
 

fulano

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Oct 14, 2007
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Syzygy23 said:
Pinkamena said:
It's sad that this is the state of the world. As the world becomes more and more connected, and mulitnational, billion-dollar companies starts to dominate the market, fewer and fewer people gets more and more power and money. Unless something happens to the western consumerist lifestyle, I don't see it changing. I think eventually, companies will get more power than the government, sort of like the banks have (at least in USA).
Not for long, a lot of people have been switching to credit unions lately (At least in Washington state)

A Credit Union is basically a bank, except completely non-profit. Outside of operational costs, of course.

As much as I like demonizing the redundantly wealthy as anyone else, I have to wonder... What would I do if I had all that money?
That's a whole lot of potential power for just one person. You'd probably just go mad...as would pretty much everyone else, myself included.
 

Vausch

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Dec 7, 2009
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Y'know, I remember in 2009 when Japan Air was starting to suffer financially, the CEO didn't fire workers if he didn't have to. He gave himself a massive pay cut, got rid of his perks, started taking public transport to work and home, ate in the lunchroom with the other employees, and did whatever he could to make sure as many as possible were able to keep their jobs.

Then you read stuff like this and it makes me wonder a few things, like what the fuck are you going to do with all that money?! I can't even being to imagine having so much money I could literally wipe my arse with a hundred dollar bill and not give two shits about it, yet there is 21 trillion dollars in dodged taxes sitting in the Caymans? Dear god we will never get a better reason to eat the rich.

A friend of mine says he thinks the people most responsible for the economic crisis should be publicly executed and this is the first time I've agreed with him.
 

Guybythestreet

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May 31, 2009
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I don't understand why people think that the rich are responsible for the poor. You could argue that as a citizen of the U.S. or as a human being the rich have a moral obligation to help others but this doesn't hold up when applied to the poor. I don't see every person on the street trying to help everyone else. I recognize that the rich are capable of helping the nation much more than any other economic group but I still don't see why they should be LEGALLY obligated to do so.

I do not condone using tricks to avoid taxation, I view a government like a business: They let you live on their land and they grant you rights and access to certain social services but in return you must pay them a part of your salary. So yes, barring any extreme or strange cases I don't see any reason that can be used to morally justify avoiding taxation.

For anyone who read the article the last line "-if only Europe's governments could get a grip on the wallets of their own wealthiest citizens." How does that sound reasonable? Oh yes, Europe would be dandy if the European governments could pilfer through the savings of the rich. The article also says if the rich invested that money with only minor returns there would be tons of money generated. SURE if investing money was totally full proof then why does ANYONE save their money? They save the larger part of their income than they invest just like most people do, why is that a surprise? Lastly, on a much smaller note, dumping 20 trillion dollars of what I assume to be some combination of Euros and Dollars into the economy would destroy both.

The rich snowballed into getting rich and now their wealth is unfathomably huge, ok, but as long they aren't literally illegally exploiting others (Which undoubtedly some are) where does anyone else get the idea that the commonwealth of a nation is entitled to more money from the rich?

"BUT THEY HAVE MORE MONIES AND THEY DON'T USE IT, SO WHY NOT GIVE IT AWAY". The same way you are entitled to your desire to take the money of the rich they are entitled to keeping their money. Lots of people say being rich is a good thing but then they talk about the rich like they are filthy parasites infecting and feeding off the world economy and the poor.
 

Olas

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Dec 24, 2011
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Guybythestreet said:
I don't understand why people think that the rich are responsible for the poor. You could argue that as a citizen of the U.S. or as a human being the rich have a moral obligation to help others but this doesn't hold up when applied to the poor. I don't see every person on the street trying to help everyone else. I recognize that the rich are capable of helping the nation much more than any other economic group but I still don't see why they should be LEGALLY obligated to do so.

I do not condone using tricks to avoid taxation, I view a government like a business: They let you live on their land and they grant you rights and access to certain social services but in return you must pay them a part of your salary. So yes, barring any extreme or strange cases I don't see any reason that can be used to morally justify avoiding taxation.

For anyone who read the article the last line "-if only Europe's governments could get a grip on the wallets of their own wealthiest citizens." How does that sound reasonable? Oh yes, Europe would be dandy if the European governments could pilfer through the savings of the rich. The article also says if the rich invested that money with only minor returns there would be tons of money generated. SURE if investing money was totally full proof then why does ANYONE save their money? They save the larger part of their income than they invest just like most people do, why is that a surprise? Lastly, on a much smaller note, dumping 20 trillion dollars of what I assume to be some combination of Euros and Dollars into the economy would destroy both.

The rich snowballed into getting rich and now their wealth is unfathomably huge, ok, but as long they aren't literally illegally exploiting others (Which undoubtedly some are) where does anyone else get the idea that the commonwealth of a nation is entitled to more money from the rich?

"BUT THEY HAVE MORE MONIES AND THEY DON'T USE IT, SO WHY NOT GIVE IT AWAY". The same way you are entitled to your desire to take the money of the rich they are entitled to keeping their money. Lots of people say being rich is a good thing but then they talk about the rich like they are filthy parasites infecting and feeding off the world economy and the poor.
But is keeping everything fair and square more important than doing what will ultimately do the most good for society and the world?
I'm not saying that the rich are evil or that they don't deserve the money they've earned (most of the time) but I think at a certain point it's better to be a little unfair to them than to let millions starve. Taking fifty thousand dollars away from a billionaire and giving it to a homeless person may not seem too just, or morally acceptable, but it will do immeasurable good for the homeless person and leave the billionaire essentially unaffected.

Besides life isn't fair, nobody gets to choose where they're born or how wealthy their parents will be. Some poor people deserve to be poor, but others have just been dealt a rough hand and are paying the penalty for it.
 

Olas

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Dec 24, 2011
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Theseus32 said:
And none of them will see a day of jail time on account of owning every judicial system on the planet. They'll send a few scapegoats in middle management up the river and then get back to wallpapering their homes with Mondrians.


Ah yes, freedom's great ain't it.