billionaires should be desperate to be taxed. something is going to happen to them, and 'taxed' is the best verb they can hope for at this point
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[–] 20 points 1 year ago (9 children)

The only "bad thing" I can think that's remotely qualifying is that US billionaires are being left behind by their East Asian peers, as their home country is run into the ground.

Nah, billionaires have class solidarity that transcends nationalist sentiment. Which is why they are so afraid of anyone trying to gather class solidarity amongst the lower classes, they know how powerful it is.

Billionaires from East Asia and billionaires from the West all vacation in places like Dubai, have their own private islands, and multiple homes and banks all over the world. Nationalism to them is just a tool to keep class consciousness away from their employees.

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  • [–] 11 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    Not to mention, a billionaire is no longer a citizen of any country in any way that truly matters. They can easily go elsewhere, be safe from whatever is going on in their "home", and so on. The only country I know of that has ever actually thrown its power at its billionaires is China. So unless the billionaire currently lives and works in China, they essentially have no nationality.

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  • [–] 1 point 1 year ago

    The only country I know of that has ever actually thrown its power at its billionaires is China.

    Iceland did good punishing bakers after 2008, although i wouldn't call those billionaires.

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  • [–] 7 points 1 year ago (5 children)

    Nah, billionaires have class solidarity that transcends nationalist sentiment.

    In America, at least, we're seeing a rising tide of white nationalism among the mega-rich. There was a point in which I'd agree with you. The Clintons would break bread with anyone whose checks didn't bounce (Donald Trump, for instance). But your Musks and Thiels and Lutnicks and McMahons are going in a very different direction.

    Billionaires from East Asia and billionaires from the West all vacation in places like Dubai

    Even Dubai ain't what it used to be. Consider the kidnapping and murder of Rabbi Zvi Kogan.

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  • [–] 1 point 1 year ago (4 children)

    But your Musks and Thiels and Lutnicks and McMahons are going in a very different direction.

    Eh, I think that's mostly just crowd work. They're just the types who use the right as a vehicle because they know they're easier to control and they hate taxes.

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  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago (3 children)

    Certainly.

    But these aren't simply Bush / Cheney climbers. They're true believers who think Trump's win is a sign of Divine Providence.

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  • [–] 1 point 1 year ago (2 children)

    Idk, I still think they're just doing that because that's what trump demands for a seat at the table.

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  • [–] 1 point 1 year ago (1 child)

    I wish. It's more the reverse. The whole reward of getting a seat at the table means whispering a new flavor of madness into Trump's ear.

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  • Eh, it's the same old same old. When people like musk and thiel are in his good graces they stand to make hundreds of millions in graft and even more by manipulating regulatory bodies in their company's favour.

    They may project crazy beliefs or even truly hold them, but all of their beliefs fall away when compared to their underlying belief in profit.

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  • [–] 4 points 1 year ago

    I'd think it's more like horse racing. They want to see their "horse" "win" but aren't that fussed at the end of the day. Because they'll all be glue eventually, and what matters is the fun they had.

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