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winter_bluetoday at 5:03 AM1 replyview on HN

I don't think it would be bad for equity in any way. It might actually be good instead actually.

First, the general public would have more disposable income if we shift more of the tax burden on the ultra rich.

Second, people like Elon Musk won't be able to give themselves massive bonuses that are essentially paid by diluting common stock.

Also, with regard to the U.S., the U.S. could wipe out its national debt with a one-time wealth tax, and also pass a balanced budget const. amendment so it never ends up deep in debt again.

Lastly, perverse and extremely greed-based exploitative businesses might become less common, since there aren't ultra fat executive paychecks. Although it might still happen if a large group of people are able to make a somewhat high salary off such schemes.


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cityofdelusiontoday at 5:42 AM

No way wealth tax covers the debt. It would be more of an asset seizure and forced sale or nationalization of a bunch of businesses and illiquid asset classes. The rich don’t hold enough cash to make it happen.

The other issue is the U.S. deficit is a feature not a bug. As long as the world buys the bonds, it’s “free” and no one will care until forced austerity happens.

Look into the end of the Gilded Age to see how this really gets fixed.

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