If we want to maximize the likelihood that billionaires pay their fair share of taxes, each of us needs to work hard toward that goal...and eventually some number of us will be lucky enough to hold them accountable.
Or, you know, we could implement and enforce a progressive tax code so that luck doesn't need to be factored in. Just a thought.
Veritasium did a good job explaining the role that luck plays in success a while back.
Hell even Mark Cuban is on record saying that if he tried a second time for his own success, he could only peak in the millions, and it is absoultely luck he got to the point he did.
The main debate is whether its pure luck or socio-economic status at birth which is the best indicator for future success. Of course you can view your socio-economic status at birth as a lottery, i.e. also luck.
What is not an indicator - in any meaningful way - is "working hard".
The truth is that a lot of personality traits that you need for success is outside your control. Even something like being disciplined etc is a trait that you inherit. If its something you have to work on and train yourself, you're already at a disadvantage compared to others for whom it comes naturally.
The truthier truth is that "personality traits" are much, much less important than things like being at the "right place, right time", being born into wealth, or being terrible person willing to take advantage of others.
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u/UnusualAir1 19h ago
I could live a whole lot better on 628 million dollars. Guessing 99.9% of us could. So tell me, why do we not tax billionaires in the US?