Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by melling 1117 days ago
“I wonder why more wealthy don't do things…”

I wonder why so many people want the wealthy to do more things to make the world a better place when the United States has a GDP of $23 trillion dollars.

Everyone wants to pay little taxes, have a cheap gallon of gas, and tax the rich to solve our problems, while kicking the can as far down the road as possible.

How many problems could have been solved with $32 trillion

https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikepatton/2023/04/25/the-natio...
3 comments
harimau777 1117 days ago
Can you explain what you are advocating?

It's not clear to me what connection you are making between America's GDP and wanting the wealthy to do more. The wealthy capture the largest portion of the GDP, so America's high GDP would seem to support the idea that the wealthy can do more.

It seems like you are criticizing tax rates but then you talk about how much can be done with the money that makes up the national debt. Are you advocating more or less government spending? Are you advocating more or less taxes?

link
melling 1116 days ago
No, if you can’t figure it out then you deserve the world that you get. Saying rich people should solve the problems is the lazy answer.

US consumer spending is 70% of GDP.

link
blep_ 1116 days ago
You are not obligated to explain yourself, but you also don't get to complain when nobody knows what you're talking about.
link
IntelMiner 1116 days ago
Saying "you're stupid and don't deserve an answer" is childish and trite. Be better
link
anonymouskimmer 1116 days ago
The comment you're responding too was wondering why more wealthy people aren't building well-regarded social legacies. Not why rich people weren't solving society's issues.

> How many problems could have been solved with $32 trillion

How many problems were solved with that $32 trillion?

To nitpick, the current US GDP estimate is $26.49 trillion. https://www.bea.gov/news/2023/gross-domestic-product-second-...

In general, I agree with your gist. Hagiographies turn me off, particularly in a republic of citizens (not Great Men).

link
croes 1117 days ago
What do you think why the rich are so rich? How much of the tax money lands in their pockets because they don't pay their employees good enough?
link