this post was submitted on 22 Jan 2024
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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.

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[–] AlteredStateBlob@kbin.social 99 points 9 months ago (3 children)

"I'm surprised the thing me and my ilk have been actively working against hasn't magically happened despite our massive efforts to the opposite effect."

Bet you Bill thinks these kinds of publicity stunts will exclude him from being eaten, when we go to eat the rich.

[–] Aatube@kbin.social 15 points 9 months ago (3 children)

Just curious, how has he worked against it?

[–] Linkerbaan@lemmy.world 56 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

Irrelevant to this tax thing but Bill Gates still helping known patent trolls obtain more patents

Bill Gates is widely known for massive hypocrisy. And funneling his "Charity" money into vaccine companies he owns himself. And buying up an insane amount of farm land during Covid.

If Bill Gates says something you can bet that he's doing the exact opposite. There's a reason that this "charity man" somehow keeps getting richer.

[–] AlteredStateBlob@kbin.social 11 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

Is he funding lobbyists to affect this kind of change? No.
Is he employing top tier accountants to make sure he doesn't pay his fair share like the poors? Betcha.
Does he funnel his wealth into charitable foundations that are a tax write off leading to him getting money rather than having to pay it, while it stays in an eco system he has full control over? Betcha.
Is he buying expensive art, property, etc. to incur expenses that are tax write offs? Betcha.

Since I'm not a Billionaire, I won't be able to tell you all the ways that cunt is 100% pushing for a status quo while putting out fluff pieces like these that make him look good while doing literally nothing to affect the change he supposedly wants.

Wouldn't even be surprised if this was something to get out ahead of some revelations about tax evasion, so if you ever search up Bill Gates taxes, all you get is this curated nonsense of what a stand up good lad he is, trying oh so hard to pay his fair share. Why won't anyone take his money? Poor Bill. Must be hard not getting taxed and being utterly powerless to do anything about that. Shucks. Now he has to go another decade without ever coming close to paying his fair share.

Oh, also garbage takes like these, where he publicly opposed new tax plans - but it's fine, it was all cute and the audience laughed and he payed soooo much, sooo many taxes. https://youtu.be/dXxP4S_WwS0

[–] dangblingus@lemmy.dbzer0.com 10 points 9 months ago (1 children)

By being part of the billionaire owner class for decades and saying nothing about it until there's very real threats of working class solidarity.

[–] Aatube@kbin.social -2 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Being part of the billionaire class prevents taxes being levied against you?

[–] Eldritch@lemmy.world 4 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Yes. It's what they've actually lobbied for.

[–] Aatube@kbin.social 3 points 9 months ago (1 children)

If I’m asking this, I’m looking for specifics

[–] Eldritch@lemmy.world -3 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

Aaah, sealioning then. That's like asking for specifics about this sun rising in the east thing. If you haven't been observant enough at this point to have noticed. Then someone taking good time out of their lives to gather, organize and set. The evidence in your lap isn't going to change things.

The whole system from the start was designed by, and to favor the wealthy. And it's never really changed.

[–] Aatube@kbin.social 5 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Dude, I just need something I can actually search for or, even better, a link. I've scoured the Wikipedia pages about Gates and they have no mention. I've searched the search results and as expected, there was nothing. I've just asked politely once, or maybe twice, and get nothing I want in response but an accusation of sealioning? If it's the "polite" part that sets you off: fuck shit mom damn darn.

[–] Eldritch@lemmy.world -2 points 9 months ago (1 children)

It's got nothing to do with politeness. And everything to do with perceived disingenuousness. If you're asking someone to point you to evidence of a wealthy person who maintains fleets of lawyers and assistants. To do things for them. Doing something personally, especially something incriminating. Can you admit to seeing how that might be seen as disingenuous and not wanting to actually find the truth? Nothing is almost ever as simple as that.

[–] Aatube@kbin.social 1 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Sure, but you've also got to admit that I can also see you as lazy and being very irritable at the second reply. https://kbin.social/m/news@lemmy.world/t/780024/-/comment/4723316 is all I know right now, and it would only be all the more incriminating if he actually took a lobbying stance on this.

[–] Eldritch@lemmy.world 0 points 9 months ago

Logically you couldn't. Because that would be seen by most as projection on your part.

Regardless Gates and Buffet could do a lot more than almost anyone else to make this happen if they really cared. But they don't. Warren Buffett is a cold cruel man. He didn't get rich at Berkshire Hathaway by being Mr. Nice Guy. I think he likes pointing out The glaring double standards and contradictions. Watching people all huddle around him telling him what a great guy he is after he's bankrupted so many people, etc. All while he has to do nothing other than meaningless platitudes. And Bill Gates. He's so much worse. The head of and owner of the only company to successfully be charged with antitrust offenses in the last century. Who swindled and stole in some way large chunks of nearly every major product they ever had. It's Rich to see him even mention this BS.

Collectively I could set my watch for the last 20 plus years for every time these guys have spoken out like this and then done nothing. Empty words from empty men.

[–] Lev_Astov@lemmy.world 3 points 9 months ago

He feels really safe saying these things while letting the wealthy elite in power do all the law-writing.

[–] Exosus@lemdro.id 1 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I've come to the right place if bill gates isn't cheered on by leftwingers.. Dude has such a sketchy past especially regarding intellectual property and market manipulation.

But "at least he doesn't support trump"

[–] AlteredStateBlob@kbin.social 2 points 9 months ago

He probably is through some back-ass-channel. These kinds of assholes always play all colors, all cards and have backup plans. He still wants to cling to his little riches even if the political winds change again. Gotta be able to show receipts when that happens.

I'll never support a single Billionaire ever for any reason whatsoever. They're leeches and parasites to society, our species and planet.