I Dare You

"G20 Must Forge Agreement to Increase Tax on Rich, Say Campaigners

"Developed and emerging economies must use a summit this weekend to forge an international agreement to increase wealth taxes on the global rich, campaigners have said.

"In an open letter to the G20 before its meeting in Delhi, the group of almost 300 millionaires, economists and politicians say urgent action is needed to prevent extreme wealth “corroding our collective future”.

"The letter, whose signatories include the Disney heiress Abigail Disney and the artists Brian Eno and Richard Curtis, urges the G20 to demonstrate the same global cooperation it showed in ensuring multinational companies pay a minimum level of tax to agree collectively to tax wealth.

"With deep divisions between members of the G20, little is expected of this weekend’s summit, but those pushing for a wealth tax said it was time for leaders to listen to public opinion.

• "What does the letter say? 'Much work has already been done. There is an abundance of policy proposals on wealth taxation from some of the world’s leading economists. The public wants it. We want it. Now all that’s missing is the political will to deliver it. It’s time for you to find it,' the letter reads."

  
  

  
  

  I dare you to pay your tax bracket.  Don't deduct anything, except what it costs you to be in business (licenses and fees, rent) and other taxes you pay (property, etc).  If that leaves you with a tax bracket of 30-something percent, then pay 30-something percent.  You live in this country.  You choose to live here.  Living here provides you with the advantages you have.  Pay for them.  And pay for the other things this country does, to protect you, and to protect other people, even people who are just less fortunate than you are.  You yourself wouldn't choose every expense this country incurs?  Neither do I.  But we all choose to live here, and supporting this country and its agreed/voted upon endeavors is our responsibility.

  If you choose to donate money to anything or anyone (a religion, a cultural entity, civil rights groups, organizations against guns, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, or anything else), let that be your pleasure, your honor, of personal meaning to you, and no one else's responsibility.

  I dare you to "man up," and do it.  If you make or have so much money that the tax would be a lot, then you have way more than you need, can use, or want anyway.  Think about the people who give away money so they won't have to pay tax on it.  They give away more than the tax they're trying to avoid paying.  How unpatriotic is that?

  The last time I took tax deductions was 2012.  After that, I only deducted business costs and money I donated to the Village (to buy sculptures), which I considered a voluntary extra tax.

  Are you up for this dare?