jonpeda

The only immunity granted is a very narrow immunity: their testimony may not be re-admitted in proceedings against the witness.

An insignificant fraction of the price of gold is intrinsic value. The rest is derived from it's value as money.

FYI, Geithner has never been employed by anything vaguely resembling a private bank. He was a consultant for 3 years after school, before joining government.

You missed parent's question, which is how the recipient can violate copyright.

You are describing how the sender can violate copyright.

you can't buy alcohol at home, for one. Someone has to check ID.

If necessary, Antigua could remove copyright protections to Antiguan authors (at a loss of nearly $0), in exchange for letting Antiguans ignore foregin copyrights (at a gain of >>$0)

Stating your axioms will not convince someone who holds different axioms.

Yes, a wealth tax is better than a luxury tax, for a wealth tax cannot be dodged my declining to spend, and so does not slow the economy. A (less-avoidable) wealth tax can then be put to good use, funding more socially useful boats than yachts, or distributed as a national income guarantee, or to retrain boatbuilders in other, more relevant, industries.

It's interesting you mention Belgium, which has 50% income tax, including inheritance taxes:

http://www.belgium.be/en/taxes/ http://www.taxation.be/content/view/28/37

Your exceptions describe most of the wealth on the list. "inheritance" isn't even controversial and it's a quarter of the list. "Trickery" is a rather broad brush that applies rather well to many billionaires.

I'd be interested to see how the numbers play out if you include spouses in the lists.

Why would agencies prefer you after bankruptcy?

Some people choose to stop fighting, gain a few weeks or months of reduced pain and better (temporary) health, and settle affairs as best they can. Remember, if chemo doesn't work, then it is a longer, more painful demise.

It's a hard tradeoff. Maximize the quality time you have, and prepare for your family's future -- especially before the diagnosis comes.

I like how you immediately contradicted your conclusion with the obvious counterexample.

Isn't that the entire history of Apple, though? "Maybe people will pay more for our de-commoditized version." Many times, Apple was right, for at least a significant minority of customers.

Interesting advice from someone who was never a professional developer. Has Kawasaki done any hobby programming?