[quote=davelj][quote=AN]
Nicely put. I totally agree. I might not be in that 1%, but I want to be them, not take money away from them. Of course, if they got their money through illegal means, then yes, they should be punished. But guys like Zuckerberg/Page/Brin/etc who recent got their wealth did not do it by stealing from the 99%.[/quote]
Yes, but without the government structure (and enforcement) of laws, property rights, etc. – not to mention an educated workforce and population – how would these folks have been able to start a business in the first place to get into the top 1%? Without the government allowing a corporate entity to exist – with its limited liability for owners/shareholders – these folks would all have bupkus… because no one would take the large-scale risks necessary to do the things they’ve done if they faced personal liability for failure. The “corporate veil” is one of the single most valuable tools of the rich. Which I don’t have a problem with, by the way. But… those that benefit from it should pay DEARLY for its use… because without it most of them would not be in the position they’re in. They would never PERSONALLY undertake the risks that the corporate veil allows them to undertake. And without being able to take those risks… again… bupkus.[/quote]
I never said there should be no government structure/enforcement of laws, etc. We need all of that and we ALL need to pay. I personally think they pay more than their fair share. If those who are up there don’t think so, they can send the IRS more. I think there are MANY who are NOT paying their fair share and they’re not in the 1%.
