More than 250 billionaires and millionaires on Wednesday reiterated their call on elected representatives of the world’s leading economies to introduce higher taxes on the very richest in society.
In an [open letter](https://proudtopaymore.org/) to political leaders gathered at the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the rich signatories said they wished to deliver a clear message: “Tax our extreme wealth.”
“We are surprised that you have failed to answer a simple question that we have been asking for three years: when will you tax extreme wealth?” the letter said.
“Our request is simple: we ask you to tax us, the very richest in society. This will not fundamentally alter our standard of living, nor deprive our children, nor harm our nations’ economic growth. But it will turn extreme and unproductive private wealth into an investment for our common democratic future.”
If they really wanted this, they’d be donating it. All of it.
[deleted]
Republicans – “So cut taxes?”
They do every year but they never gain any ground.
These people were clearly not from the US. Us b/millionaires would just “fuck you got mine!”
These billionaires know they can donate their money or establish causes, right?
Doubt it
This is the first I’ve heard of it…
While I understand the biological imperative of hierarchy in the animal kingdom, it did a disservice to modern human society with the concept of royalty and the divine right of kings.
A good first step would be to abolish all royalty and their claims to a nation’s natural resources. Revoke all of their holdings and privileges of title.
It’s the worst anachronism that’s carried over into our current era.
“Global Leaders”, aristocracy chosen solely based upon personal wealth, flying private jets to Switzerland, the wealth hoarding capitol of the world, to discuss what must be done about the ultra wealthy in order to save the planet.
Seems like they make these statements at the beginning of every year, and then go right back to telling the politicians they own that there better be no action on it.
This is just PR. Anyone remember how Gates was gonna give away his fortune? He’s still one of the richest men on earth.
It’s about power. Nobody with the mindset to obtain that much of it gives it up.
Never ask a man how he made his first million.
If they want to be taxed – they should sell their assets to realize the tax.
Otherwise, they should shut up.
You’ll have to convince the high school drop out dudes making $28k a year in the rust belt tho. Good luck with that.
It’s all smoke and mirrors. It will probably never happen. They know there’s a growing number of people out there shouting for it . Like reverse psychology.
The mega rich have public relations departments to shape up their image
. I don’t think anybody actually believes their crap though.
17 comments
More than 250 billionaires and millionaires on Wednesday reiterated their call on elected representatives of the world’s leading economies to introduce higher taxes on the very richest in society.
In an [open letter](https://proudtopaymore.org/) to political leaders gathered at the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the rich signatories said they wished to deliver a clear message: “Tax our extreme wealth.”
“We are surprised that you have failed to answer a simple question that we have been asking for three years: when will you tax extreme wealth?” the letter said.
“Our request is simple: we ask you to tax us, the very richest in society. This will not fundamentally alter our standard of living, nor deprive our children, nor harm our nations’ economic growth. But it will turn extreme and unproductive private wealth into an investment for our common democratic future.”
The signatories of the letter, entitled “[Proud To Pay More](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/652d98fc798aeb069ceee397/t/65a6a186bb0b007ae861f7ec/1705419146513/2024+Report.pdf),” span 17 countries and include Disney heir Abigail Disney, screenwriter Simon Pegg and Valerie Rockefeller, an heir to the famed U.S. family.
It comes shortly after Oxfam [said](https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/15/worlds-five-richest-men-have-doubled-their-fortunes-since-2020-oxfam.html) that the five richest men globally have more than doubled their vast wealth since 2020 and warned that the world could have its first trillionaire within a decade.
More: [https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/17/mega-rich-renew-call-on-global-leaders-at-davos-to-tax-our-extreme-wealth.html](https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/17/mega-rich-renew-call-on-global-leaders-at-davos-to-tax-our-extreme-wealth.html)
If they really wanted this, they’d be donating it. All of it.
[deleted]
Republicans – “So cut taxes?”
They do every year but they never gain any ground.
These people were clearly not from the US. Us b/millionaires would just “fuck you got mine!”
These billionaires know they can donate their money or establish causes, right?
Doubt it
This is the first I’ve heard of it…
While I understand the biological imperative of hierarchy in the animal kingdom, it did a disservice to modern human society with the concept of royalty and the divine right of kings.
A good first step would be to abolish all royalty and their claims to a nation’s natural resources. Revoke all of their holdings and privileges of title.
It’s the worst anachronism that’s carried over into our current era.
“Global Leaders”, aristocracy chosen solely based upon personal wealth, flying private jets to Switzerland, the wealth hoarding capitol of the world, to discuss what must be done about the ultra wealthy in order to save the planet.
Seems like they make these statements at the beginning of every year, and then go right back to telling the politicians they own that there better be no action on it.
This is just PR. Anyone remember how Gates was gonna give away his fortune? He’s still one of the richest men on earth.
It’s about power. Nobody with the mindset to obtain that much of it gives it up.
Never ask a man how he made his first million.
If they want to be taxed – they should sell their assets to realize the tax.
Otherwise, they should shut up.
You’ll have to convince the high school drop out dudes making $28k a year in the rust belt tho. Good luck with that.
It’s all smoke and mirrors. It will probably never happen. They know there’s a growing number of people out there shouting for it . Like reverse psychology.
The mega rich have public relations departments to shape up their image
. I don’t think anybody actually believes their crap though.