[minikites]

>Most of the time that is not the "money" that we are talking about here and would not be subject to the utility and use being discussed. For example, the vast majority of Bezos' worth is tied up stock.

It could be subject to the same utility if we taxed it, that's what I was getting at. Wealthy people aren't using money that society could put to great use.

>Also, not every billionaire is the same. Some may not be giving much, but there are many who have pledged to give away the majority of their fortunes.

Why settle for "some" when we could tax all of them?

[giantg2]

Again, this whole 'tax the rich' bent you are on is off-topic. In fact, it seems you are not understanding utility in this context of marginal utility.

"It could be subject to the same utility if we taxed it, that's what I was getting at."

"Wealthy people aren't using money that society could put to great use."

Then you could say that the average person's 401k isn't being used either. But investments are a use of money that do contribute to society in providing capital to businesses and individuals. Gains on those investments are also taxable.

There are plenty of things we could do, but that's not really what we are discussing here.

[minikites]

>Then you could say that the average person's 401k isn't being used either.

But the average person has much more marginal utility for their amount of wealth. Going by the average 401k balances here (https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/01061...), the marginal utility of dollars $38,401, $160,001, etc is much greater than even millions of dollars at Bezos and Gates level wealth. What else am I missing about utility in this context?

>Gains on those investments are also taxable.

At a much lower rate than income, further cementing the advantages of the ultra-wealthy.

[giantg2]

"But the average person has much more marginal utility for their amount of wealth."

Not while it's invested and locked away in a 401k, according to your comment about it not being used (presumably consumption based):

"Wealthy people aren't using money that society could put to great use." Emphasis mine

"What else am I missing about utility in this context?"

This thread was in response to someone claiming money has less use when you have more of it, which isn't really what marginal utility is about.

"At a much lower rate than income, further cementing the advantages of the ultra-wealthy."

Ok... we aren't really discussing rewriting the tax code.