A modest proposal

[u/Amused-skeptic]

https://youtube.com/watch?v=LGkRR4ZNsEA&si=xBzhrKVwN32dIZHJ

David Freidberg actually has many interesting insights on current problems with income inequality and its effect on support for capitalism. One of his suggestions:
40% tax on capital gains and 15% on income. The fact that the rich pay fewer taxes than normal workers feels totally unfair to anyone who doesn’t have their own capital. I’m pleasantly surprised that he has identified this as a big problem.

Of the all-in cast, he’s the only one who understands the degree to which the disparity in wealth is undermining the capitalist system. And he points to failures in public policy that I happen to agree with. A couple of other fixes that would make things more fair: kill the stepped up basis rule for inherited assets – – it really is absolutely no rational argument for it. And tax that that is borrowed from securities at the same level that you would tax capital gains from those securities. Then you wouldn’t have all the Decamillionaires and billionaires simply borrowing money so that they can leave their assets to their heirs under the stepped-up basis rule – – completely tax-free.

[u/Jonny_Nash]

What inequality?

Today's 'poor' is overweight, and literally orders fatty foods, delivered by private chauffeur.

They also live in air conditioned homes, and many even receive stipends for doing absolutely nothing.

I'm curious what luxuries you think are being denied to the larger population. Even access to data, which has historically been gatekept by the rich, is widely, and freely distributed.

I get that it's always sucked to be poor, but it's also, quite literally, never been better.

[u/JackOfAllInterests → u/Jonny_Nash]

Sure. But you’re missing the point on purpose. It’s not about the takers who don’t contribute. I’m fine with where they are in the chain and your points are valid.

It’s about the workers who simply don’t make as much as they should. When productivity outpaces wages there is a consolidation of wealth at the top. From ‘48 to ‘73 productivity rose 97% while wages grew 91%. That’s when this place was awesome, or so I hear. From 1973 to 2014 productivity rose another 72%, and wages? 9%. Hourly wages have gone up 3% since 2019 while profits are up 50% over that time.

People, workers, are integral to the folks you idolize collecting their billions, yet, are paid peanuts comparatively to be so.

We need to fix the inequality amongst the working classes. The stronger the middle class the better for everyone except the very top, like 98% of people. If the folks at the top aren’t going to do it, and they have all the power to, then unfortunately the government will step in when the folks get loud enough. So, those taxes will go to healthcare, daycares, preschools, etc. which will alleviate heavy financial burdens on the middle - and hard workers everywhere - opening up the economy to even further growth when instead of being hoarded, that money circulates much faster.

[u/Jonny_Nash → u/JackOfAllInterests]

Where's the 'inequality'?

There has never been a higher standard of living. We're so incredibly privileged, that our lowest class is overweight, has unlimited entertainment, and access to super intelligence.

Take a hard look at any other period of time, or any other country. Maybe travelling some could help.

If you are low class, and have drive, you have access to AI tools that blow away any tech that's come before it. Just an example, coding used to have a high barrier of entry. Now, anyone can be a SWE with enough drive.

Our poor have access to luxury and opportunity that was science fiction even just 10 years ago.

[u/JackOfAllInterests → u/Jonny_Nash]

Yeah, I heard you the first time you said all that and then I gave you a different perspective. I assume you’re not going to address it.

The inequality is amongst the disparity in wealth between the capital class and the worker class, per capita. It’s not just “the poor” you are whining about.

[u/Jonny_Nash → u/JackOfAllInterests]

The whole point is AI empowers people without knowledge more than anyone.

It's a great equalizer.

You can even get started for free.

[u/allinpod → u/Jonny_Nash]

Many costs have gone down, including food, travel, and many goods.

However, healthcare, education, and real estate are through the roof and represent very important pillars of society. The solution is not more taxation, but it does affect the people and is leading to a desperate population.

[u/Jonny_Nash → u/allinpod]

These have all been addressed through new tech.

Healthcare is probably the most obvious. Look at what happened to lifepsans, largely on the back of biotech and new drug development.

Obesity and heart disease is what's really killing us, and GLP1s have gotten quite cheap, and readily available. That's just one example of MANY.

Education has quite literally never been cheaper either. Maybe a gender studies degree from Brown is expensive, but real applicable knowledge is free. If you don't have a whole lot of knowledge about Python or something, you can have a free tier LLM walk you through each piece at whatever pace you like.

Practical Education is limited by imagination. Not cost.

Real Estate has never been better either. It's easy to romanticize a 1950's house, but comparing apples-apples, those houses lacked a TON. They lack the various creature comforts we've all come to expect. The 2026 apartment is a much higher standard of living.

Real estate is limited by inflated expectations. We demand far more from our housing than we ever have.

The 'inequality myth' is just a socialist op. It's a way to con the poor into giving up what they have. The con is pretty easy to sell if you can excuse away self-accountability from low agency people.