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.

  • ono@lemmy.ca
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    3
    ·
    7 months ago

    How about backing up that letter with some lobbyists?

    • Rivalarrival@lemmy.today
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      7 months ago

      Ads. We need these folks taking out issues ads, raising the profile of taxing the ultra-rich.

      Hi, I’m Bill Gates, and I am spending more on this ad campaign than I paid in taxes.

      Paid for by Bill Gates

  • AlteredStateBlob@kbin.social
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    7 months ago

    “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.

    • Exosus@lemdro.id
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      0
      ·
      7 months ago

      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
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        7 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.

      • Linkerbaan@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        edit-2
        7 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.

  • SpiceDealer@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    0
    ·
    7 months ago

    I’m not very smart but I do sense a catch here. If my ‘suspicion’ (if you can call it that) is right, could someone kindly explain it to me?

    • BeautifulMind ♾️@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      0
      ·
      7 months ago

      The catch is that if they pay taxes and life gets better for other people we agree to not bring out the torches, pitchforks, and guillotines or tar, feathers, and such

      • WoahWoah@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        0
        arrow-down
        1
        ·
        edit-2
        7 months ago

        The torches, pitchforks, guillotine, tar, and feathers aren’t going to reach a billionaire. They’re going to be used on whoever is around.

        You aren’t getting within five miles of a billionaire. They don’t play D&D and eat at McDonald’s, bro. Sorry.

        You are more likely to find yourself unfortunately headless than even getting the chance to hurt the feelings of a billionaire let alone their actual person.

        • LostWon@lemmy.ca
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          0
          ·
          7 months ago

          If it ever comes to it, rioters are probably going to go after celebrities (possibly including influencers). There seems to be an increasing trend of people being turned off by inauthentic charm and conspicuous consumption, these days. Also, more and more of them seem to have been born into the life (like a child of a celebrity) rather than being elevated from working class life.

        • BeautifulMind ♾️@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          0
          ·
          7 months ago

          The torches, pitchforks, guillotine, tar, and feathers aren’t going to reach a billionaire. They’re going to be used on whoever is around.

          The point, of course, is that the cost of being a billionaire is that you can’t go out in public- if the public is mad enough about it

          • WoahWoah@lemmy.world
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            0
            arrow-down
            1
            ·
            edit-2
            7 months ago

            Billionaires don’t really go out in public even when the public isn’t mad about it. This is what I’m saying: people think they’re taking something from them that they don’t use and didn’t want in the first place.

            “That’s right! The righteous anger of the public now makes you appearing in public dangerous! Try going to MY McDonald’s, Mr. Man!”

            It’s just impotent hand waving and revenge fantasizing. Fine and well, I suppose. Oh no, what ever shall they do and all that. 🤣

            Financially speaking, a millionaire is far, far, far closer to a homeless drug addict than a billionaire.

  • zbyte64@lemmy.blahaj.zone
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    0
    ·
    edit-2
    7 months ago

    People are right to point out that he should not simply cut a check to the government, instead he should lobby for higher wealth taxes like he lobbies for patents or voucher schools. Anything less is just free PR.

  • gencha@lemm.ee
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    0
    ·
    7 months ago

    Says the guy who funnels his entire wealth through a foundation to avoid paying any taxes. Just like he told Epstein to do. Love you Bill

  • Cosmic Cleric@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    0
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    edit-2
    7 months ago

    Imagine if a wealthy individual, who believes that the wealthy should be taxed more, actually used their wealth to take out TV commercials in all states/provinces advocating for the increase in taxes for the wealthy, actually trying to sway the political mindset in a big way with the power they have via their wealth.

  • muelltonne@feddit.de
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    0
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    7 months ago

    Dear Bill,

    the german government has a banking account where you can send them money, no questions asked. Feel free to send over your fair share of taxes you are avoiding by routing the Microsoft profits from Germany via Luxembourg and other tax havens.