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James van B®️egt @causticcorner.bsky.social

Appealing to billionaires to 'do the right thing' hasn't really worked so well for most of us. Rightly or wrongly, tax incentives work.

aug 11, 2025, 4:38 am • 1 0

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Dmitry Grozoubinski @explaintrade.com

If only we had policy tools other than persuasion and incentives...

aug 11, 2025, 4:41 am • 10 0 • view
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James van B®️egt @causticcorner.bsky.social

Well, yes, but aside from lobbying power, they also have legions of 'creative' lawyers and accountants to swerve those. Unless you align all tax jurisdictions, incentives are our best bet.

aug 11, 2025, 4:54 am • 0 0 • view
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Dmitry Grozoubinski @explaintrade.com

You appreciate that the same lobbying power, venue shopping and creative accountancy you think invalidates more coercive measures can all be brought to bear on incentives, right?

aug 11, 2025, 5:00 am • 6 0 • view
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James van B®️egt @causticcorner.bsky.social

Of course, no system is perfect. But if the 'stick' hasn't achieved the required result, perhaps some 'carrot' may be more effective. Give medals, titles, honours for the biggest tax payers; appeal to their egos.

aug 11, 2025, 7:25 am • 0 0 • view
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Dmitry Grozoubinski @explaintrade.com

Not sure we've really tried the stick.

aug 11, 2025, 8:10 am • 3 0 • view
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Circumspectral @catpushmike.bsky.social

It sounds like you agree with Cuban’s soulless bullshit. Any government that has the power to give tax incentives also has the power to tax the shit out of billionaires and increase the minimum wage. Most of society would prefer the latter options.

aug 11, 2025, 7:25 am • 0 0 • view
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James van B®️egt @causticcorner.bsky.social

Billionaires are disposed to paying the least amount of tax possible, so only if all loopholes are closed and low-tax jurisdictions are brought into line would the 'stick' work. Ideal, yes, but not realistic.

aug 11, 2025, 7:41 am • 0 0 • view