tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5465015914589377788.post657137622028992885..comments2024-03-20T09:32:16.592-04:00Comments on Michael James on Money: Short Takes: Financial Checkup and moreMichael Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10362529610470788243noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5465015914589377788.post-74504682710544971192012-04-28T11:18:53.101-04:002012-04-28T11:18:53.101-04:00@Patrick: I've never been interested in appea...@Patrick: I've never been interested in appeals to fairness in such issues. Either having high earners pay a higher tax rate makes a better society or it doesn't. Making a symbolic gesture on one's own seems pointless unless it hastens a positive change. Seeking to minimize one's taxes is self-interest. Apparently, Buffett is willing to argue against his immediate self-interest to try to bring about larger changes, but is unwilling to make a symbolic gesture against his self-interest. This doesn't seem like hypocrisy to me.Michael Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10362529610470788243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5465015914589377788.post-87343672710320907242012-04-28T10:35:42.393-04:002012-04-28T10:35:42.393-04:00@Michael: I used to agree with you regarding Buffe...@Michael: I used to agree with you regarding Buffet paying taxes voluntarily. Since then I've come to change my mind. I think it would be a very important gesture that he would be putting his money where his mouth is.<br /><br />I've come to believe that if I truly thought I was not paying enough tax, and felt strongly enough to make the case publicly, I'd start by voluntarily paying what I thought I owed.<br /><br />The point is not that having Buffett and every other rich guy pay extra voluntarily will make any difference to the revenue of the IRS. The point is that he claims to believe that his fair share is more than what he's paying, yet he continues to pay an unfairly small amount of tax. That is hypocrisy.Patrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16816252455472704262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5465015914589377788.post-24939002401683740222012-04-27T10:13:14.160-04:002012-04-27T10:13:14.160-04:00Thanks for the inclusion as well. I know how he ke...Thanks for the inclusion as well. I know how he keeps churning them out, but I am sworn to secrecy!<br /><br />Have a less cold weekend...Big Cajun Manhttp://canajunfinances.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5465015914589377788.post-50998354672229016182012-04-27T07:56:06.066-04:002012-04-27T07:56:06.066-04:00Michael, thx for link. Some great posts as usual t...Michael, thx for link. Some great posts as usual this week, I dont know how you keep churning them out.The Blunt Bean Counterhttp://www.thebluntbeancounter.com/noreply@blogger.com