Buffett and Gates say no correlation

[Brass]

Quote from Tsing Tao:

I don't think it's foolish at all. If I wanted to show that I supported something, I would practice it. It's like Al Gore running all around the country screaming about global warming as he takes his private jet.

If you believe in the principle, show it.

Buffet and Gates made all of their money already. They don't care what the income tax rate gets pushed to. Shall we review Buffet's tax choices? He could have made choices to classify the majority of his income as just that - income, rather than capital gains. That would have put him in a higher tax bracket.

He did what he did because it resulted in lower income taxes, yet "the horror of the system's inequality" forced him - at gun point, eh - to pay the lower number.

What a crock.

Quote from Brass:

...There's no percentage in being the only guy not peeing in the pool. For it to work, everyone has to play.

 

[Tsing Tao]

Quote from Ricter:

No one wants to be alone when they make sacrifice, it does not seem fair.

Oh? How many famous/important/influential people in history have made sacrifices to stand up to the principles they believe in? When they have, it has made impact. People look at them and respect their views, even if they don't agree with them because they act on principle and stick to it.

 

[Ricter]

Quote from Tsing Tao:

Oh? How many famous/important/influential people in history have made sacrifices to stand up to the principles they believe in? When they have, it has made impact. People look at them and respect their views, even if they don't agree with them because they act on principle and stick to it.

Nevertheless, misery prefers company.

 

[Brass]

Quote from Tsing Tao:

Oh? How many famous/important/influential people in history have made sacrifices to stand up to the principles they believe in? When they have, it has made impact. People look at them and respect their views, even if they don't agree with them because they act on principle and stick to it.

That's absurd. One big guy paying more isn't going to make a stick of difference. All the big guys paying more will. These guys didn't get rich by being stupid.

http://www.answers.com/topic/pragmatism

 

[Tsing Tao]

Quote from Brass:

Please. Peeing in the pool? That's your analogy?

I'll say it again. If one believes in a something in principle, one should have the conviction to act on that belief if one expects others to take him/her seriously.

Absent that, they're just another meaningless opinion in the crowd.

 

[Tsing Tao]

Quote from Ricter:

Nevertheless, misery prefers company.

So you're saying the preacher should only not drink and commit adultery until his flock shows that they cease doing it as well?

(I'm sorry I cannot respond as fast as we normally debate, but you and Gabby are machine gunning me on responses).

 

[Tsing Tao]

Quote from Brass:

That's absurd. One big guy paying more isn't going to make a stick of difference. All the big guys paying more will. These guys didn't get rich by being stupid.

http://www.answers.com/topic/pragmatism

Ok, I'll say it yet another way. It's not about making an impact numerically. It's about garnering respect, even if someone disagrees with you. It's also about showing the strength of your conviction.

 

[Ricter]

Quote from Tsing Tao:

So you're saying the preacher should only not drink and commit adultery until his flock shows that they cease doing it as well?

(I'm sorry I cannot respond as fast as we normally debate, but you and Gabby are machine gunning me on responses).

Lol, keep firing, Brass, we've got Tsing pinned down!

I think morality is a different set of rules. Not completely different, there's certainly overlap. For example, Gates just announced a $750 million donation to fight disease.

I have no doubt that if tax increases on the wealthy were brought into force, that both Buffett and Gates would pay, not happily, but not begrudgingly either.

 

[Brass]

Quote from Tsing Tao:

Ok, I'll say it yet another way. It's not about making an impact numerically. It's about garnering respect, even if someone disagrees with you. It's also about showing the strength of your conviction.

Respect? Only a fool respects someone who pisses in the wind to no effect. Why don't you go live with John Galt on his island where you can weave baskets and barter? Imagine the respect I'll have for you.

 

[cgroupman]

Quote from Tsing Tao:

Please don't confuse the market going up with the belief that the economy is getting better. As has been said hundreds of times, it is the money supply driving the market, not the economic future.

If the Fed suddenly reversed it's free money policy tomorrow, the market would dive like a missile.

Actually, the devaluing of the dollar has much to do with the market rise. I do agree. My point is simply that new business ventures should not be derailed by negativity overall.


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