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orangecrush

(28,342 posts)
Sun Dec 21, 2025, 01:05 PM Dec 21

"They're mad they have to go through you to get your money"


That's exactly what we are witnessing in real time.


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8 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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"They're mad they have to go through you to get your money" (Original Post) orangecrush Dec 21 OP
"Behind every great fortune is a crime."" Honore de Balzac dedl67 Dec 21 #1
James Madison wrote, snot Dec 21 #2
Some of the greatest philanthropists to mankind were at one point ruthless exploiters of workers.. dedl67 Dec 21 #4
Bring back the 91% tax on earnings over Hey Joe Dec 21 #3
Despite how desperately we need it to! (n/t) OldBaldy1701E Dec 22 #6
Shit! Even a Top Marginal Tax Rate of 50% would be too steep! ProudMNDemocrat Dec 22 #7
i guess some of his kids don't matter as well. pansypoo53219 Dec 22 #5
her earrings!! BlueWaveNeverEnd Dec 22 #8

snot

(11,506 posts)
2. James Madison wrote,
Sun Dec 21, 2025, 02:26 PM
Dec 21

"In framing a government[,]….you must first enable the government
to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself."
– James Madison, The Federalist Papers, Vol. 51 (1788)

In a sort-of parallel vein, I've long suspected that the greatest challenge in devising a just and robust political entity is figuring out what to do with humanity's sociopaths.

Whether you believe in capitalism, socialism, anarchy or whatever, sociopaths will find the exploitable features in any system you design and, unless checked early and often, will eventually take over.

The challenge is, how to restrain them without curtailing the rights of non-sociopaths? Especially in view of the possibility that, like other naturally-evolved creatures that at first sight seem unnecessary or harmful, they might sometimes serve some purpose that's helpful or useful to the rest of us?

dedl67

(172 posts)
4. Some of the greatest philanthropists to mankind were at one point ruthless exploiters of workers..
Sun Dec 21, 2025, 02:57 PM
Dec 21

Andrew Carnegie is an example. The work rules in his steel mills (low pay, 12-hour shifts) were crushing to those who worked in the mills (including my grandfather in the early part of the 20th century). Yet he became perhaps the world's greatest philanthropist, giving away most of his money. Carnegie could be considered a social darwinist, but was an anti-imperialist and believed in the public interest.

Hey Joe

(406 posts)
3. Bring back the 91% tax on earnings over
Sun Dec 21, 2025, 02:45 PM
Dec 21

2 million dollars. If they can’t live with that, find another country to live in.
But we know that would never happen.

ProudMNDemocrat

(20,622 posts)
7. Shit! Even a Top Marginal Tax Rate of 50% would be too steep!
Mon Dec 22, 2025, 09:16 AM
Dec 22

Mega Millionaires and Billionaires would cry holy hell over having to depart with their hoards of cash over a specific amount!

They would cry to the heavens..."How will I manage to keep my fleet of Luxury cars, Yachts, and many Mansions up?"
As if the Walton Family(Walmart and Sam's Club) need more precious jewels, mansions, priceless works of art, or yachts to water ski behind.

They care NOTHING for the country or the people as they count their financial treasure houses.

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