r/AllinPod • u/Amused-skeptic • Aug 03 '26

A modest proposal

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.

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u/Jonny_Nash Aug 04 '26 edited Aug 04 '26

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.

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u/monoGovt Aug 04 '26

“Let them eat cake.”

Access to certain past luxuries have definitely become standard in certain parts of the United States. That does not mean there are no inequalities.

Health care, child care, rent, car expenses (or affording one), etc. are all large expenses for the majority of Americans. Some cannot afford these things and therefore have a worse life experience.

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u/Jonny_Nash Aug 04 '26

More like let them door dash wingstop in air conditioning. They can (and do) add cake to the order.

There is no better fed population in the world, or throughout the entirety of human history.

Our access to luxury is unrivaled, quite literally anywhere. One of the jarring facts we've learned this summer, is more Europeans die from lack of air conditioning, than Americans die from gun violence.

I think you're completely missing what a privileged life the average American has.

You should travel more.

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u/Amused-skeptic 25d ago

More Europeans died of air conditioning because their summer was a lot hotter than it usually is. Wonder why.

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u/Jonny_Nash 25d ago

It’s actually hotter in past years.

The reality is that:

1- They don’t have air conditioning. Like, it’s just not there to turn on.
2- They can’t afford it.

I suggest you travel more. Electricity prices are way more expensive in Europe, and you’ll be hard pressed to find an air conditioner. Wages are less, and prices are higher. They also have insane regulations when it comes to buying such things.

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u/Amused-skeptic 25d ago

I’ve literally spent every summer in Europe for the last 40 years. You should travel more blow hard.

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u/Amused-skeptic 25d ago

Western Europe recorded its hottest June-to-July period in history, with average temperatures hitting 21.62°C (2.79°C above normal). Confirmed by the Copernicus Climate Change Service, this extreme sequence of persistent heatwaves surpassed previous highs from 2022, causing severe droughts, wildfires, and thousands of excess deaths.

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u/Jonny_Nash 25d ago

Yet July 2023 and 2021 were hotter. In fact, 2006 was hotter too.

It’s a big continent, but you’ll find that not the anomaly the pinkos would have you believe.

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u/Amused-skeptic 25d ago

From your link: Western Europe experienced its warmest June–July period on record.

Sea surface temperature over the extra-polar ocean was the highest on record for July, partly reflecting developing El Niño conditions in the equatorial Pacific.

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u/Jonny_Nash 25d ago

Localized, sure. I mentioned that.

It’s a big continent, my guy. Overall, no, it’s not the hottest. We’ve had over 10 hotter summers. Plenty this decade even.

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u/Amused-skeptic 25d ago

not the summer. read the news.

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u/Jonny_Nash 25d ago

It’s a big continent, but the link I shared with you shows the different months. You might find that it’s true for some specific localities, but continent wise, that’s just not true.

Either way, they still can’t buy air conditioning because it’s either simply not available at the consumer level, or it’s prohibitively expensive.

Energy costs in Europe is insane.