Contributors

Saturday, July 14, 2012


9 comments:

juris imprudent said...

King rose from poverty on his success as a writer. He is a 1%er now. Contrary to the lies about income mobility, he lived it.

If he doesn't believe the govt is taking enough of his money, he can freely give more.

Mark Ward said...

You are missing the point, juris. Because of America, these people are rich. Nowhere else in the world would they have been able to accumulate as much wealth. They have been done a favor by the people and government of this country. So they should return the favor and pay a higher tax rate so they can continue to enjoy the benefits this country has to offer.

And that's everyone, not just King alone. Although you do raise an interesting point. I bet that at least half of the very wealthy would gladly donate their money to the Treasury being that they are likely Democrats. I think they should do it of their own free will. Imagine what would happen if they made a serious dent in the debt. That would be one less thing for you guys to froth at the mouth about. Oops!

Oh, and wouldn't that mean that they would continue to get to enjoy the benefits of government (protecting property rights etc) while those who did not give would maybe not get them? Hmm...

juris imprudent said...

Nowhere else in the world would they have been able to accumulate as much wealth.

J.K Rowling ring any bells?

They have been done a favor by the people and government of this country.

Sure, King should thank his fans, but what exactly did the govt do for his success?

I think they should do it of their own free will.

So do I - but apparently they don't.

the benefits of government (protecting property rights etc)

Wow, if we only paid for the benefits we get, we'd probably have a much smaller and much less expensive govt.

last in line said...

That money won't pay down the debt - the politicians will just find something else to spend it on.

Mark Ward said...

last, I have a post coming soon (inspired by the first comment of juris') that will speak to your thought here.

JK, juris? What's the effective tax rate for her in England compared to here? My point is that the wealthy should be thankful that this country has provided for them and that very much includes the government. I wonder how many wealthy people have benefitted from federal policy...things like subsidies and tax breaks.

juris imprudent said...

Rowling is now at least a multi-millionaire if not billionaire. Despite the tax laws in England (where of course the wealthiest have dodges just like they do here).

I wonder how many wealthy people have benefitted from federal policy

You fucking twit - that was exactly what I said about King: that he made his wealth on his writing talent. Please do tell me how federal policy is what made him so successful - please. The entertainment value of that will be priceless.

Mark Ward said...

Please do tell me how federal policy is what made him so successful - please.

Uh...freedom of speech? How do you suppose King's books would go over in China or Iran?

last in line said...

>Imagine what would happen if they made a serious dent in the debt.

We're almost done with Obamas first term and you have to start sentences about the debt with "Imagine"?

juris imprudent said...

Uh...freedom of speech?

Really? That's a govt policy intended to benefit authors of popular fiction? Really?

How do you suppose King's books would go over in China or Iran?

Apparently King's books are available in both of those languages and more.

There are times you are better off saying nothing. That wasn't quite as amusing as I thought it would be.