One thing we're working on learning as a community is how to respond to the interesting parts of an article or situation and leave superficial provocations alone. Not easy, but important for curious conversation.
https://hn.algolia.com/?dateRange=all&page=0&prefix=true&que...
The article could be better without that part.
Taxes is political and divisive and that does not belong here.
Please check the guidelines before modding.
When an article contains a slight passing reference to a political provocation, that's a great reason not to copy it into the thread and create an off-topic distraction on HN. If it were the main point of the article it might be a different story, but it's obviously a generic tangent in this case.
When there's flamebait, we should just not take the bait. It isn't necessary and there are much more interesting discussions to be had.
You're right to reference the guidelines, which include:
"Eschew flamebait. Avoid unrelated controversies and generic tangents."
You got me here.
"there are much more interesting discussions to be had"
You know that thing people you will not change someones opinion on internet. That has changed.
This insight is golden.
No waste timing on flamebaits when I can have better discussions about other things.
Thanks Dang
Though I'm not sure how principled your objection is. Is it against misplaced political hot takes where you don't need them, or is it against those you find objectionable?
Some people resent what they perceive as too much taxes very strongly. Where do you draw the line between taxation and theft?
For example how do you call 50% taxes + 19% social wellfare taxes on top of that, actually a 69% tax bracket? Knowing that in addition to that, should you realize gains (say on stocks) on what you managed to save and put in the stock market, well, these gains are going to be taxed at 34%? What if auntie loved you and made a testament giving you her savings, what about 80% tax on that? Is that what auntie wanted, to give 80% to the state?
69%, 80%: when is it taxes, when is it theft?
I do personally think that in many countries we're way, way, way past diminishing returns due to the ultra high tax brackets and I don't buy the "but infrastructure" argument: it doesn't justify everything.
Many people feel that crypto should be treated like liquid money that can be bought or sold freely, and not like a taxable investment.