...and I'm wary of going back to work there for the same reason. Gender separation, cultural enforcement of moral code, assumption of religious belief -- these all run counter to the hacker ethic, IMHO. Hell, they are contrary to what I consider normal American beliefs -- definately bumping into the bill of rights a bit, I would say.
The alcohol laws are more problematic as an INDICATOR of what you will have to deal with than as a specific "Oh, I won't work anywhere unless I can drink 24/7." But it is a sign that you are bound for a place where your "anything goes" mentality is going to be WAY in the minority.
There are many things I like about the "flat tax", but by your argument why does a flat precentage tax make more sense than a flat amount tax? You could take the whole budget, divide it by the population, and send everyone their bill each month.
It's a little crazy, but it would probably motivate the average Joe to show more interest in reducing the size of the government...
There are two interesting & contradictory forces at work here.
One is the general belief (I think) of most of us that people should be free to succeed based on their own merits. If I come up with a briliant idea, work my ass off and build an amazing company, then I don't think anyone will mind me getting rich at it. In this sense, schemes like a "progressive tax" that attack the successful seem Un-American.
On the other hand, there is another fair concern about excessive power (and power is at least proportional to money, if not equal) resting in the hands of a small minority. Those of us outside that circle are wary of "them" unfairly dominating the opportunities (ala the Russian oligarchs).
What can we do? Well, I hope that some good economists are working out what the actual "answers" to these problems are, and more importantly what the actual FACTS are. Meanwhile, I admit having some sympathy for the inheritance tax. Essentially it can be used as a generational 'RESET' button (only less severe) to force every person that wants to be rich to work for it and earn it on his or her own. In fact, in its current form it hardly seems to even be forcing that, so how can it be considered such a great evil?
On the other hand, a flatter income tax would seem more fair to the living. This is particularly true in my case, as all these "targetted" tax cuts seem aimed at other people. The complex tax code attempts to influence personal policy, which seems an excessive intrusion by the government. Does it really make sense that people receive a tax break just for having more children? Why do we want more people in the world?
The Slashdot crew isn't the mostly likely group to go hit the weights, but for me physical exercise really helps keep my mental side running smoothly.
Endorphines and what not, I guess... Plus it helps get your body tired so you can get longer, more restful periods of sleep. They've done lots of research showing heavy exercise can overcome some mental problems like ADD, and that is the same mindset I end up in when I feel blocked...
I mean hey, why not... There are tons of religions, and I bet some of them take up perfectly good.com domains. Let's set up a.god domain and shift them all over there. Of course, for that matter there could be a.fan domain that would make more sense for this Corinthians soccer team...
Slashdot Mirror
...and I'm wary of going back to work there for the same reason. Gender separation, cultural enforcement of moral code, assumption of religious belief -- these all run counter to the hacker ethic, IMHO. Hell, they are contrary to what I consider normal American beliefs -- definately bumping into the bill of rights a bit, I would say.
The alcohol laws are more problematic as an INDICATOR of what you will have to deal with than as a specific "Oh, I won't work anywhere unless I can drink 24/7." But it is a sign that you are bound for a place where your "anything goes" mentality is going to be WAY in the minority.
There are many things I like about the "flat tax", but by your argument why does a flat precentage tax make more sense than a flat amount tax? You could take the whole budget, divide it by the population, and send everyone their bill each month.
It's a little crazy, but it would probably motivate the average Joe to show more interest in reducing the size of the government...
-Milo
There are two interesting & contradictory forces at work here.
One is the general belief (I think) of most of us that people should be free to succeed based on their own merits. If I come up with a briliant idea, work my ass off and build an amazing company, then I don't think anyone will mind me getting rich at it. In this sense, schemes like a "progressive tax" that attack the successful seem Un-American.
On the other hand, there is another fair concern about excessive power (and power is at least proportional to money, if not equal) resting in the hands of a small minority. Those of us outside that circle are wary of "them" unfairly dominating the opportunities (ala the Russian oligarchs).
What can we do? Well, I hope that some good economists are working out what the actual "answers" to these problems are, and more importantly what the actual FACTS are. Meanwhile, I admit having some sympathy for the inheritance tax. Essentially it can be used as a generational 'RESET' button (only less severe) to force every person that wants to be rich to work for it and earn it on his or her own. In fact, in its current form it hardly seems to even be forcing that, so how can it be considered such a great evil?
On the other hand, a flatter income tax would seem more fair to the living. This is particularly true in my case, as all these "targetted" tax cuts seem aimed at other people. The complex tax code attempts to influence personal policy, which seems an excessive intrusion by the government. Does it really make sense that people receive a tax break just for having more children? Why do we want more people in the world?
Irritating.
Milo
The Slashdot crew isn't the mostly likely group to go hit the weights, but for me physical exercise really helps keep my mental side running smoothly.
Endorphines and what not, I guess... Plus it helps get your body tired so you can get longer, more restful periods of sleep. They've done lots of research showing heavy exercise can overcome some mental problems like ADD, and that is the same mindset I end up in when I feel blocked...
Best of luck.
I mean hey, why not... There are tons of religions, and I bet some of them take up perfectly good .com domains. Let's set up a .god domain and shift them all over there. Of course, for that matter there could be a .fan domain that would make more sense for this Corinthians soccer team...