Tom Perkins' big idea: The rich should get more votes

[alfred russel]

If one really feels that they pay more in taxes than they get in value, they move to a country where they get better value for their money.

The US will still tax my income if I move somewhere with lower taxes. That won't help me. 

[Berkut]

Notice how it is the people who have already won the class war who are decrying having a class war?

[Admiral Yi]

Notice how it is the people who have already won the class war who are decrying having a class war?

You have an odd conception of warfare.

[Grinning_Colossus]

This man is a supremely appropriate spokesman for the 1% and needs to be given a lot of exposure.

[Valmy]

Notice how it is the people who have already won the class war who are decrying having a class war?

You have an odd conception of warfare.

Well according to Perkins it is more like Class Holocaust.  Have you gotten your 99% Brownshirt yet?

[Berkut]

Notice how it is the people who have already won the class war who are decrying having a class war?

You have an odd conception of warfare.

Most people who talk about "class war" don't actually mean bullets and such you know.

[Admiral Yi]

Most people who talk about "class war" don't actually mean bullets and such you know.

I get that.  But "class warfare" is generally thought to involve an action a little more directed than making a bunch of money.

[The Brain]

I don't understand. The rich won the class war but there is still a class war? Surely a class war isn't won on an individual level.

[Baron von Schtinkenbutt]

Tom Perkins seems to be the amateur here.

He is also the one who wants to split California into 6 states, with SV being one of them (heard about it on Marketplace).  Dude is nuttier than squirrel shit.

[Berkut]

Most people who talk about "class war" don't actually mean bullets and such you know.

I get that.  But "class warfare" is generally thought to involve an action a little more directed than making a bunch of money.

How about an action directed toward making a lot more at the expense of those who are not in your class?

[Admiral Yi]

How about an action directed toward making a lot more at the expense of those who are not in your class?

Please explain what you mean by that.  Presumably you're not talking about theft.

[Berkut]

How about an action directed toward making a lot more at the expense of those who are not in your class?

Please explain what you mean by that.  Presumably you're not talking about theft.

I am talking about this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0ehzfQ4hAQ

No, I am not talking about theft, at least not in the strict definition of the word, just like "class war" doesn't mean anyone shooting at anyone else in the strict definition of the word war.

Just look at the outcome of the last couple decades. Forget the ideology for two seconds (if you are capable) and just talk about outcomes. You cannot argue that the outcome of the last few decades can possibly be ok for human society.

[crazy canuck]

Most people who talk about "class war" don't actually mean bullets and such you know.

I get that.  But "class warfare" is generally thought to involve an action a little more directed than making a bunch of money.

In case you missed it, he is advocating taking away voting rights for people who dont make as much money as people in his class.   How would you characterize it?

[DGuller]

Political systems which have included a property or income qualification have tended to work for the benefit of the upper classes.  Political systems which have not have had a tendency to hand out more free money.  Both have their disadvantages.

True, but systems that have included property qualifications have all been overthrown or amended, so it isn't like the verdict of history isn't in on that concept.  It's better to have an annoyed elite than desperate masses.

The problem with appealing to history's verdict is that history doesn't necessarily develop in the right way, especially in the short term.  For example, US had a very good thing going during the Gilded Age, but it pissed it all away in 1913 with the introduction of Federal Reserve system and income taxes.

[crazy canuck]

Political systems which have included a property or income qualification have tended to work for the benefit of the upper classes.  Political systems which have not have had a tendency to hand out more free money.  Both have their disadvantages.

True, but systems that have included property qualifications have all been overthrown or amended, so it isn't like the verdict of history isn't in on that concept.  It's better to have an annoyed elite than desperate masses.

The problem with appealing to history's verdict is that history doesn't necessarily develop in the right way, especially in the short term.  For example, US had a very good thing going during the Gilded Age, but it pissed it all away in 1913 with the introduction of Federal Reserve system and income taxes.

JR incoming in 3-2-1.....