Discussions like these, among many clearly intelligent people, can sometimes get lost in the weeds. What's missing is a basic contextual foundation, without which all the wonky details in world are nearly meaningless. Why discuss AMT, Germany, and tax loopholes without first agreeing on inequality.
Most would agree that in a capitalist system there MUST be some inequality to provide incentive; extreme inequality is unsustainable; an economy (and society) is at it's best when inequality is low; and progressive earnings taxation is in fact the only proven and viable solution to address extreme inequality.
I rarely see this foundation laid here or in "the media". We can bitch and moan about the 0.1%ers and the tax code they've written for us, and it's certainly entertaining. But let's try to agree generally on where we want to go before discussing how to get there and who's going to drive.
Most would agree that in a capitalist system there MUST be some inequality to provide incentive; extreme inequality is unsustainable; an economy (and society) is at it's best when inequality is low; and progressive earnings taxation is in fact the only proven and viable solution to address extreme inequality.
I rarely see this foundation laid here or in "the media". We can bitch and moan about the 0.1%ers and the tax code they've written for us, and it's certainly entertaining. But let's try to agree generally on where we want to go before discussing how to get there and who's going to drive.