France's richest say: Tax us more

[Feuer Frei!]

Some of France's wealthiest people have called on the government to tackle its deficit by raising taxes - on the rich.
Sixteen executives, including Europe's richest woman, the L'Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt, offered in an open letter to pay a "special contribution" in a spirit of "solidarity".
Later the government is due to announce tighter fiscal measures as it seeks to reassure markets and curb the deficit.
They are expected to include a special tax on the super-rich.
Before the announcement, expected on Wednesday evening, a letter appeared on the website of the French magazine Le Nouvel Observateur.


It was signed by some of France's most high-profile chief executives, including Christophe de Margerie of oil firm Total, Frederic Oudea of bank Societe Generale, and Air France's Jean-Cyril Spinetta.
They said: "We, the presidents and leaders of industry, businessmen and women, bankers and wealthy citizens would like the richest people to have to pay a 'special contribution'."
They said they had benefited from the French system and that: "When the public finances deficit and the prospects of a worsening state debt threaten the future of France and Europe and when the government is asking everybody for solidarity, it seems necessary for us to contribute."
They warned, however, that the contribution should not be so severe that it would provoke an exodus of the rich or increased tax avoidance.
The move follows a call by US billionaire investor Warren Buffett for higher taxes on the American ultra-rich.


SOURCE


24 August 2011 Last updated at 10:34

[Sailor Steve]

"I'm genetically incapable of giving, so I want you to take it."

[yubba]

SSSSSSSSsssuuuurrrrree they did, and I got a french military rifle, never fired, dropped twice.

[Anthony W.]

This can't be true - and if it is, they're getting some sort of kickback.

If I asked to be taxed, they'd lock me in the psycho ward.

Either way - can't you donate your money to decrease the deficit? I know you can in the US...

This can't be true - and if it is, they're getting some sort of kickback.

[Betonov]

Originally Posted by Anthony W.

Either way - can't you donate your money to decrease the deficit? I know you can in the US...

You can, in any country. Or donate directly to humanitarian groups or give a lump sum directly to the person in need. But the economic crisis is all the rage today so it's a publicity stunt. The ''giving'' few know the stingy majority wont allow any such tax to pass in the goverment (the US is not the only country hijacked by the stinking rich) so they can talk the talk and never walk the walk.
But on the other hand, if they are honest about it, this publicity stunt would be beneficial to both sides

Originally Posted by yubba

SSSSSSSSsssuuuurrrrree they did, and I got a french military rifle, never fired, dropped twice.

SSSSSSSSsssuuuurrrrree you do, and you got it by subduing the french with boring american supremacy stories... twice

[STEED]

Originally Posted by Feuer Frei!

Some of France's wealthiest people have called on the government to tackle its deficit by raising taxes - on the rich.

Your never see the Rich in the UK say that, they rather flee the country before they hand over 1p more.

[Diopos]

Why are you sceptic about people who probably have tax-evaded (or even got official tax-brakes) for generations, run the various institutions, companies and banks that have caused one "bubble" after the other and most probably the current crisis and have large sums of money in Swiss banks and exotic tax havens? I don't understand you guys!

This "trend" of the wealthy asking for taxation has another interesting side-effect. It is a form of criticism, from within, of the the "trickle-down" economic theory. Anyway in most cases it wasn't even a "trickle", more like a "tickle"!

Tickle down economics!

.

[nikimcbee]

Good, now stay outta my pocket.

[CaptainHaplo]

If ya want to pay more, pay more. Donate. You don't even need to do it to the government - if you all fired up about the plight of the common folk, give to them. Charity isn't a bad thing when you do it with a giving heart.

But don't volunteer someone else's money. Welfare states did that on the back of the middle class, and now the middle class is disappearing.

When you mandate redistribution of wealth, you end up with nothing else but everyone being equally poor....

[Sailor Steve]

The sole legitimate purpose of taxation is to support the government, which is by nature incapable of supporting itself. Anything else is a game that should not be played.

[nikimcbee]

I like the lottery. They should just go with that. All the belivers can pay into it.

[Diopos]

Originally Posted by nikimcbee

I like the lottery. They should just go with that. All the belivers can pay into it.

They'd buy all the lottery tickets!!!

Bahh they probably own the lottery already!

.

[Anthony W.]

A national lottery wouldn't be a bad idea for the US.

Maybe instead of winning cash you could win no taxes for a year

[mookiemookie]

Originally Posted by Anthony W.

If I asked to be taxed, they'd lock me in the psycho ward.

Or you'd be Warren Buffett, one of the richest and most successful investors in the world.