Why should they be expected to pay a tax increase? They've already had to go through countless loops, and perform thousands of tricks, at the state's will, to become successful. In doing so, they've created jobs, and provided goods and services that people want. These people are beneficators to humankind, and should not be punished for being so.

45% on people earning over 150,000k? I tell you something, my parents are over that bracket, and they're paying WAY over 45%. You forgot to include the fact that the personal allowance is removed at 100,000. Also, national insurance, sales taxes, import taxes, capital gains, fuel duty, alcohol duty, air travel taxes, property taxes, road taxes, etc., etc. Not to mention the fact that the price of everything you buy is increased by all the taxes that the producer had to pay. I'd say that the amount that goes to the taxman is closer to 100%, than 45% (one of my dad's friends worked it out once, he said that around 87% of his income went to the taxman... but, hey, it's fine, he's a millionaire.)

Also, you said that "it's what you have to do, if you're in debt". That's bollocks. It makes sense if this guy was responsible for the debt... but, judging by his actions here, he's probably not a big Government guy... why should he have to beholden to the burden of other people's wants? Nothing more than theft.

Bad economies are caused by monetary policy. Nothing more, nothing less.

Basically. Wars should be justly fought, but when the call comes, you should be there to answer for it, even if you protest conscienciously.

I'm reading Atlas Shrugged at the moment, and you remind me of Wesley Mouch.

The government's decisions got it into this mess. It shouldn't really be trying to bleed the country's most successful people dry to balance its budget. I don't see how you can possibly consider that moral.

Without the infrastructures and the society that exists, you think he would have got all of that "his" money?

Without the infrastructures and the society that exists, you think he would have got all of that "his" money?

Everything bar National insurance and capital gains taxes, are not taxes that have to be paid on a regular basis, especially if you don't have certain posessions. You don't pay fuel duty or road tax, if you don't fly. You don't pay import taxes, if you don't import or just smuggle goods in! Sales taxes like VAT are included in the price of goods anyway. If you don't own your own home, you don't pay property tax and so on, it's not like they can't afford it.

This is a terrible argument. If you don't own your home, you don't pay property tax? Well, this is false. You have to pay property tax on rented properties... if you don't, your landlord does, and he'll charge you through the rent. Unless you're advocating homelessness? And the same goes for your other points... fuel duty doesn't count because you don't pay it unless you drive? - Under this premise, National Insurance doesn't count, because you don't pay it unless you work!

Import taxes are fine because you can smuggle goods? Since when has that been an argument for import taxes? How can any legitamite business get away with that?

Sales taxes don't count because they're included in the price of goods? This is the hardest to understand. Prices are still 20% higher because of the taxman, which rips off the poor more than anybody else.

Ordinary people are expected to pay tax like this, maybe not so much, but they are more greatly effected by taxes, than a rich person. I have no simpathy for any rich person like that, they still have mansions, jets and limos don't they?

If you're talking about my family and friends, you're grossly mistaken on what being a millionaire can afford you. It means a comfortable life, sure. But it certainly doesn't mean jets or limos, and most millionaires will still need to go into work most days, or face homelessness.

YOU may expect "ordinary" people to pay those taxes, but I don't.

It's just pathetic, that as soon the state raises taxes or tries too, the rich are the first to leave! They still have lots of cash, so whats the problem?

"Ordinary" people would leave if they have their taxes increased, and they had the means to do so. It's just human nature (see the greed video below), rich people aren't any different from "ordinaries", they've just got greater means to do what everybody wants to do... if the rich people are fleeing, then there will be poor people who would want to follow, but can't.

And if higher taxes are not apart of the solution, then what is? Cutting clearly does not work, that makes an economy worse too.

Why is this clear? Make a statement like that, and you need to prove it.

Also, bad economies are caused by recklessness and dodgy dealings! Greed caused this bad economy, nothing else did