French President Francois Hollande has called for a 75 percent income tax on top earners in France t - Polidicks

[QUOTE=ironman17;36936542]I've heard of Atlas Shrugged; apparently it's about the collapse of society as all the innovators go on strike due to increasing taxes, in an attempt to demonstrate that a world without the freedom to create is doomed. Sounds like a cool book, something to consider reading one day.[/QUOTE] the joke is that atlas shrugged is an obscenely long book

[QUOTE=ironman17;36936542]I've heard of Atlas Shrugged; apparently it's about the collapse of society as all the innovators go on strike due to increasing taxes, in an attempt to demonstrate that a world without the freedom to create is doomed. Sounds like a cool book, something to consider reading one day.[/QUOTE] Don't and especially don't get it from a library. You'll want to burn it afterwards, it's that horrid. [url]http://galtse.cx/[/url] This has all you need to read of it. Yeah, it's representative. Or this: [url]http://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/102443/atlas-shrugged-why-is-this-so-bad/p1[/url]

[QUOTE=ironman17;36936601]I can probably understand that; was it the book itself that put you off, or were there were other things tempting you at the time?[/QUOTE] It wasn't very interesting and horrifically long.

[QUOTE=Jeep-Eep;36936753][url]http://galtse.cx/[/url][/QUOTE] i have this on my kindle for some reason

Huh, I guess that's one of the reasons it was given negative reviews after it was published back in '57; if a book isn't too interesting and is nearly 1200 pages long, it makes sense not to enjoy it. The subject matter sounds kinda interesting though, even if the book probably isn't. I assume "galtse.cx" is the abridged version of Atlas Shrugged, even though the link makes me think of goatse for some reason, probably similar-sounding names. From the sound of it an abridged version would be a better idea, or even have an adaptation that takes the subject matter and tells it better. Apparently there was a movie version, but it apparently sucked and flopped. So taking into account it being uninteresting and too long, what other things were bad about the book? Also, I just realized we went from taxing the rich French, to stuff about economics and the nature of life, to the true price of war, and finally settling on how Atlas Shrugged wasn't a good book. Hmmm, [URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlhOUyy4wbs"]that was definitely Tuesday.[/URL]

[QUOTE=Cypher_09;36932632]The President has balls.[/QUOTE] He most certainly does. Can't say I support his decision. Seems really unfair to a lot of people being an income tax. It targets the self-made hard-working rich people rather than the people who simply inherited their money.

[QUOTE=ironman17;36936830]Huh, I guess that's one of the reasons it was given negative reviews after it was published back in '57; if a book isn't too interesting and is nearly 1200 pages long, it makes sense not to enjoy it. The subject matter sounds kinda interesting though, even if the book probably isn't. I assume "galtse.cx" is the abridged version of Atlas Shrugged, even though the link makes me think of goatse for some reason, probably similar-sounding names.[/QUOTE] It's a reference to how terrible the quoted passage is. It's a political filibuster longer than some novels; goatse is far more enjoyable to look at. And I've seen both. Like I said, it's a representative snippet of the book.

[QUOTE=Jeep-Eep;36936753]Don't and especially don't get it from a library. You'll want to burn it afterwards, it's that horrid. [url]http://galtse.cx/[/url] This has all you need to read of it. Yeah, it's representative. Or this: [url]http://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/102443/atlas-shrugged-why-is-this-so-bad/p1[/url][/QUOTE] [video=youtube;xMewhT3e9ow]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMewhT3e9ow[/video] [editline]25th July 2012[/editline] atlas shrugged is a terrible book and the philosophy it spawned is even worse

If it was that long, sounds like Ayn Rand's editor probably coulda done a better job, and Ayn Rand herself coulda probably done better too. Hell, sometimes I could do with an editor, though hopefully one that doesn't end up twisting the meaning of what i'm trying to say; nothing would be worse than having an editor who completely changes what I write, in regards to the conveyed message at least.

[QUOTE=ironman17;36937066]If it was that long, sounds like Ayn Rand's editor probably coulda done a better job, and Ayn Rand herself coulda probably done better too.[/QUOTE] Take an author who believes everything they say to be "objectively" valid and interesting and suddenly editors are meaningless. The book is hilariously bad, though. I keep a copy just for fucking with people or to read an excerpt here and there for a laugh. It also makes a great doorstop. [QUOTE=Boba_Fett;36936831]He most certainly does. Can't say I support his decision. Seems really unfair to a lot of people being an income tax. It targets the self-made hard-working rich people rather than the people who simply inherited their money.[/QUOTE] Except it doesn't do the self-made rich harm, really, at least not as I understand it. Define "self-made hard-working rich person" in a way that includes salary, then look at the bracket shift. You should be able to quantify your issue with this, and I think you'll find it's a relatively minor one.

[QUOTE=Lazor;36936968] atlas shrugged is a terrible book and the philosophy it spawned is even worse[/QUOTE] A 3 hour speech? Christ on a bike I'm glad I didn't read the rest of it.

[QUOTE=Sobotnik;36937292]A 3 hour speech? Christ on a bike I'm glad I didn't read the rest of it.[/QUOTE] It's worse reading it. Sixty some fucking pages of one dude talking.

[QUOTE=Xenocidebot;36937495]It's worse reading it. Sixty some fucking pages of one dude talking.[/QUOTE] What seems more strange is how a human could possibly say an entire speech like that for that length of time. It's like he started making up stuff as he went along. I've had it on in the background I can't understand any of it.

[QUOTE=Sobotnik;36937292]A 3 hour speech? Christ on a bike I'm glad I didn't read the rest of it.[/QUOTE] Aye, sounds like it coulda been presented better, and cut down somewhat. I tend to prattle on a lot, and even my writing doesn't take an hour to read; sure I take a while writing the stuff, but then again who doesn't; it takes way longer to make something than to make use of it, be it the writing and reading of a book, the development and playing of a game, the cooking and eating of a roast dinner, etc. Also, the philosophy of personal happiness being the proper purpose of life is kind of a sucky way to live; like I said before, can't have the highs without the lows, and polarization can prove detrimental to yourself and others. Personally my philosophy is hopefully a bit better, albeit it's kind of pessimistic. The way I see things is as such: the universe is a dark amoral place by default, and you have to make your own light; however not all lights burn the same, thus there are often conflicts over who's light is the best, when in truth they're all technically lights of some description, and we should appreciate that they're at least providing some kind of light to prevent things from being samey and dull. Regardless of this people still argue about whose light is the best, and sometimes they get violent; religious extremists are a notable example of dick-waving gone horribly wrong. In light of this, I quote John Bain aka TotalBiscuit of all people; [URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_mAcunt-xQ"]"It's ok to not like things, but don't be a dick about it."[/URL], which is kinda true; it's natural to not like something, but you shouldn't be a dick about the things you don't like. Trouble is, if you stand too close to a light, you can end up being "blinded" somewhat, and it's hard to accept that other lights are ok. Personal example of mine is that horrible thing with technicolour equines, that "Friendship is Magic" nonsense; I don't like it in the slightest, often times I absolutely abhor and fear it, making it very hard to not be a dick about it. I strongly disagree with how it's attempts to appeal to a wider audience have caused a blight of bronies to pop up all over the internet like mushrooms on an old log, that's my main beef with it; even though it's probably ok for little kids to watch, in my honest opinion it is not something that a teenager or young adult should be obsessed over; it's almost like Waylon Smithers and his Malibu Stacey hobby, only not as funny. Considering that the ponies in that show are probably technically little girls themselves (I dunno much about it, since I want to avoid catching a glimpse of MLP stuff whenever it appears), it disturbs me even more that, believe it or not, some insane folks actually [B]fetishise[/B] the damn thing; that's right, some sick fucks actually get off at Rule 34 of little technicolour fillies. I know that Rule 34 is meant to have no exceptions, and nothing is sacred, but [B]SERIOUSLY[/B], that stuff is not even [B]CLOSE[/B] to being even the tiniest bit kosher; probably isn't legal either, it'd probably be in Hasbro's best interest to tell people to cut it out, even though it probably won't do anything to stop some people; Hasbro's crowbarred open Pandora's Box, letting loose the ponies upon the world in a terrifying form, and it'll take more than a cease and desist to stop rampant bronies. It's oh so natural to not like things, but sometimes it's so hard not to be a dick about it. Anyone else have that kinda problem; not liking something but trying not to be a dick about it?

[QUOTE=ironman17;36937794]long ass post[/QUOTE] I agree.

[QUOTE=ironman17;36937794]even my writing doesn't take an hour to read;[/QUOTE] it feels like it takes an hour to read [quote] Anyone else have that kinda problem; not liking something but trying not to be a dick about it?[/quote] i'm trying very hard to not be a dick about your multi-paragraph post/essays

Just 'cause something feels like it takes a long time, doesn't mean it takes that long. Sense of time is subjective; when you're doing boring stuff time tends to go slowly since you tend to focus on the time, and when things are entertaining time passes quicker since time isn't on your mind. I guess you think my writings are boring; sounds reasonable, my stuff isn't exactly aimed to entertain everyone; personally i'm just trying to give people something to think about, since from what i've seen of people, they don't really seem to think as much as they should, which I find kinda sad, though their brainpower is probably focused on other things, like shoes and ships and sealing wax, like cabbages and kings.

Maybe it's just satire.

I would prefer it if Hollande went all Jacobin on the upper classes but this is cool so w/e

[QUOTE=ironman17;36937794]Aye, sounds like it coulda been presented better, and cut down somewhat. I tend to prattle on a lot, and even my writing doesn't take an hour to read; sure I take a while writing the stuff, but then again who doesn't; it takes way longer to make something than to make use of it, be it the writing and reading of a book, the development and playing of a game, the cooking and eating of a roast dinner, etc. Also, the philosophy of personal happiness being the proper purpose of life is kind of a sucky way to live; like I said before, can't have the highs without the lows, and polarization can prove detrimental to yourself and others. Personally my philosophy is hopefully a bit better, albeit it's kind of pessimistic. The way I see things is as such: the universe is a dark amoral place by default, and you have to make your own light; however not all lights burn the same, thus there are often conflicts over who's light is the best, when in truth they're all technically lights of some description, and we should appreciate that they're at least providing some kind of light to prevent things from being samey and dull. Regardless of this people still argue about whose light is the best, and sometimes they get violent; religious extremists are a notable example of dick-waving gone horribly wrong. In light of this, I quote John Bain aka TotalBiscuit of all people; [URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_mAcunt-xQ"]"It's ok to not like things, but don't be a dick about it."[/URL], which is kinda true; it's natural to not like something, but you shouldn't be a dick about the things you don't like. Trouble is, if you stand too close to a light, you can end up being "blinded" somewhat, and it's hard to accept that other lights are ok. Personal example of mine is that horrible thing with technicolour equines, that "Friendship is Magic" nonsense; I don't like it in the slightest, often times I absolutely abhor and fear it, making it very hard to not be a dick about it. I strongly disagree with how it's attempts to appeal to a wider audience have caused a blight of bronies to pop up all over the internet like mushrooms on an old log, that's my main beef with it; even though it's probably ok for little kids to watch, in my honest opinion it is not something that a teenager or young adult should be obsessed over; it's almost like Waylon Smithers and his Malibu Stacey hobby, only not as funny. Considering that the ponies in that show are probably technically little girls themselves (I dunno much about it, since I want to avoid catching a glimpse of MLP stuff whenever it appears), it disturbs me even more that, believe it or not, some insane folks actually [B]fetishise[/B] the damn thing; that's right, some sick fucks actually get off at Rule 34 of little technicolour fillies. I know that Rule 34 is meant to have no exceptions, and nothing is sacred, but [B]SERIOUSLY[/B], that stuff is not even [B]CLOSE[/B] to being even the tiniest bit kosher; probably isn't legal either, it'd probably be in Hasbro's best interest to tell people to cut it out, even though it probably won't do anything to stop some people; Hasbro's crowbarred open Pandora's Box, letting loose the ponies upon the world in a terrifying form, and it'll take more than a cease and desist to stop rampant bronies. It's oh so natural to not like things, but sometimes it's so hard not to be a dick about it. Anyone else have that kinda problem; not liking something but trying not to be a dick about it?[/QUOTE] why do you waste your time writing such long ass posts that NOONE is gonna bother reading? seriously, almost everyone of your posts i see you say a whole lot of bullshit that could be condensed into like, 2 or 3 sentences if you weren't so desperate to try and look smart with your pseudo-intellectual prose. i don't even have any idea what side of the argument you're on

[QUOTE=ironman17;36937794]Aye, sounds like it coulda been presented better, and cut down somewhat. I tend to prattle on a lot, and even my writing doesn't take an hour to read; sure I take a while writing the stuff, but then again who doesn't; it takes way longer to make something than to make use of it, be it the writing and reading of a book, the development and playing of a game, the cooking and eating of a roast dinner, etc. Also, the philosophy of personal happiness being the proper purpose of life is kind of a sucky way to live; like I said before, can't have the highs without the lows, and polarization can prove detrimental to yourself and others. Personally my philosophy is hopefully a bit better, albeit it's kind of pessimistic. The way I see things is as such: the universe is a dark amoral place by default, and you have to make your own light; however not all lights burn the same, thus there are often conflicts over who's light is the best, when in truth they're all technically lights of some description, and we should appreciate that they're at least providing some kind of light to prevent things from being samey and dull. Regardless of this people still argue about whose light is the best, and sometimes they get violent; religious extremists are a notable example of dick-waving gone horribly wrong. In light of this, I quote John Bain aka TotalBiscuit of all people; [URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_mAcunt-xQ"]"It's ok to not like things, but don't be a dick about it."[/URL], which is kinda true; it's natural to not like something, but you shouldn't be a dick about the things you don't like. Trouble is, if you stand too close to a light, you can end up being "blinded" somewhat, and it's hard to accept that other lights are ok. Personal example of mine is that horrible thing with technicolour equines, that "Friendship is Magic" nonsense; I don't like it in the slightest, often times I absolutely abhor and fear it, making it very hard to not be a dick about it. I strongly disagree with how it's attempts to appeal to a wider audience have caused a blight of bronies to pop up all over the internet like mushrooms on an old log, that's my main beef with it; even though it's probably ok for little kids to watch, in my honest opinion it is not something that a teenager or young adult should be obsessed over; it's almost like Waylon Smithers and his Malibu Stacey hobby, only not as funny. Considering that the ponies in that show are probably technically little girls themselves (I dunno much about it, since I want to avoid catching a glimpse of MLP stuff whenever it appears), it disturbs me even more that, believe it or not, some insane folks actually [B]fetishise[/B] the damn thing; that's right, some sick fucks actually get off at Rule 34 of little technicolour fillies. I know that Rule 34 is meant to have no exceptions, and nothing is sacred, but [B]SERIOUSLY[/B], that stuff is not even [B]CLOSE[/B] to being even the tiniest bit kosher; probably isn't legal either, it'd probably be in Hasbro's best interest to tell people to cut it out, even though it probably won't do anything to stop some people; Hasbro's crowbarred open Pandora's Box, letting loose the ponies upon the world in a terrifying form, and it'll take more than a cease and desist to stop rampant bronies. It's oh so natural to not like things, but sometimes it's so hard not to be a dick about it. Anyone else have that kinda problem; not liking something but trying not to be a dick about it?[/QUOTE] how the fuck did a thread about proposed tax policies in france border the mlo shitfest zone?

[QUOTE=Ezhik;36938431]how the fuck did a thread about proposed tax policies in france border the mlo shitfest zone?[/QUOTE] Maybe he saw somebody's pony OC based on french tax policies?

[QUOTE=ironman17;36938076] I guess you think my writings are boring; sounds reasonable,[/QUOTE] no i just think you're being intentionally verbose as if we're in high school and you're trying to impress your American Lit teacher. for instance let me show you how your post could have been better. [quote]Just 'cause something feels like it takes a long time, doesn't mean it takes that long. Sense of time is subjective; when you're doing boring stuff time tends to go slowly since you tend to focus on the time, and when things are entertaining time passes quicker since time isn't on your mind.[/quote] you could easily shorten that down to: [quote]no fuck you[/quote] [quote]I guess you think my writings are boring; sounds reasonable, my stuff isn't exactly aimed to entertain everyone; personally i'm just trying to give people something to think about, since from what i've seen of people, they don't really seem to think as much as they should, which I find kinda sad, though their brainpower is probably focused on other things, like shoes and ships and sealing wax, like cabbages and kings.[/quote] shorten that down to: [quote]maybe you're just a dumb bastard[/quote] 10 easy steps to a better internet you

[QUOTE]There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old's life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs[/QUOTE]

To be completely honest, if this plan raises overall revenue as it is, it's worth it.

[QUOTE=thisispain;36938623]no i just think you're being intentionally verbose as if we're in high school and you're trying to impress your American Lit teacher. for instance let me show you how your post could have been better. you could easily shorten that down to: shorten that down to: 10 easy steps to a better internet you[/QUOTE] Oh Christ my sides.

Hard work is a huge factor, especially in arts. Luck is another factor. As is talent, or skill. As is marketing. As is intelligence. As is risk-taking. There are such a massive, unimaginable number of factors at play that cause people to succeed financially. If you look at certain artists, especially musicians, you'll see this. They're rich. They weren't born with it - plenty of famous musicians nowadays came from the ghetto. Their either incredibly talented, incredibly lucky, incredibly hard-working, or a mixture of these factors and other factors. Bieber's an example - he's definitely talented, and he was definitely lucky. Almost all wildly famous musicians -ever- have followed that trend. They don't game the system. What fucking system? People misinterpret the American Dream as "come in a few hours extra on saturday and you'll be a millionaire in no time." The American Dream is a dream of self-made success. People who literally work on their craft consistently and constantly, to the point of illness, with more passion than any other, and follow through with intelligent decisions, occasional risks, and a hell of a lot of hard work, have a much much much -much- higher chance of succeeding than someone who sits in the 7/11 playing Angry Birds all day. That's the American Dream - that you can succeed through dedication and work. And there's a hell of a lot of examples of that in arts. Finances and stocks and such breed more "system-gamers" and whatnot, but there are definitely examples of the hard-working man in all areas of success. edit: Subject changed to Atlas Shrugged, feel a bit late to that other debate, oh well.

I think an income tax from 27% to 55% is the best option. This 75% tax is going to scare off much business.

[QUOTE=mac338;36942821]I think an income tax from 27% to 55% is the best option. This 75% tax is going to scare off much business.[/QUOTE] The 75% is on income above a certain amount. Someone else posted a chart in the thread outlining what the new proposed tax plan would be.

This is why we have tax scams I guess.