Rich Germans demand higher taxes - BBC

[GCP]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8321967.stm

A group of rich Germans has launched a petition calling for the government to make wealthy people pay higher taxes.
The group say they have more money than they need, and the extra revenue could fund economic and social programmes to aid Germany's economic recovery.
Germany could raise 100bn euros (£91bn) if the richest people paid a 5% wealth tax for two years, they say.


I'm sure there are rich Americans who feel the same way - thinking Bill Gates Sr for instance. It would be nice if something like this would happen here - I can just see Bill O'Reilly's head exploding at the thought of all that voluntary income redistribution!

[robinlynne]

1. I recall it did happen here in the Bush era. Gates and many others sent a petition

or a document against the tax cuts, I think.Does anyone remember exactly what it was?

[CrispyQ]

2. Check out this site:

http://www.faireconomy.org/issues/responsible_wealth

snip...

Responsible Wealth
The abolitionists pushed Lincoln.
The labor movement pushed Roosevelt.
The civil rights movement pushed Johnson.
Help us push Obama.

Help push him toward fairer taxation, public investment and greater corporate accountability. If you're in the top 5% of income or wealth and you care about economic justice, you belong in Responsible Wealth. You know President Obama will be hearing from the status quo.

Make sure he hears your voice for change!

Responsible Wealth, a project of UFE, is a network of over 700 business leaders and wealthy individuals in the top 5% of wealth and/or income in the US who use their surprising voice to advocate for fair taxes and corporate accountability.

[Ruby the Liberal]

3. Warren Buffet has been saying this for years

He stands on a very lonely platform.

Thank you, Germans, for showing us that it can be done. Meanwhile, we Americans will wallow in the worship of greed while people sleep under bridges...