First Buffett, Now the French Super-Rich Offer to Pay More

August 24, 2011 by PaulM Posted in Lowell, Election 2012, Current Events, History 1 Comment

Warren Buffett got the ball rolling in this country with his NYTimes op-ed piece calling for higher taxes on the super-rich—really, going back to brackets that existed not long ago. And now bbc.com is reporting that some ultra-wealthy citizens of France are calling on their government to tax them more to help balance the national finances. Are these altruistic gestures or do the gazillionaires know they would lose a lot more if the economy tanks to the max? I want to believe they have come to their senses about what’s smart and fair. Read the article here.

Liliane Bettencourt during a TV interview on 14 July 2010

Liliane Bettencourt of France, the wealthiest woman in Europe (web photo courtesy of bbc.com)

One Response to First Buffett, Now the French Super-Rich Offer to Pay More

  1. Publius says:

    Why is the left suddenly giving credence to what the rich say? They had previously given little credibility to what the rich said.

    When the rich say they need to be taxed more i can only think of Shakespeare’s: “Methinks he does protest too much”. I have been long told that the rich became rich because of their devious ways. Why should we suddenly believe them. Whatever tax “reforms” are made will appear to be increasing their taxes but will most likely include hidden tax breaks for the rich all the while increasing the tax burden on the middle class.

    The rich will keep their fancy tax accountants and tax lawyers while the middle class will not have that opportunity. If they truly believe what they say all they have to do is write a check, but they haven’r. Since they haven’t, I have no reason to believe their truthfulness.