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> The implication here, that someone could be examining our wealth and deciding if we deserved it or not, is horrifying.

IRS is indeed horrifying.




Is Musk the IRS? Why do him or his cronies get to see people's salaries and net worth? BTW any news on DJTs tax return? Maybe we should ask Elon?


> Is Musk the IRS?

Is it only totalitarian if Musk does it? Someone examines wealth and decides if it's deserved or not every day.

> BTW any news on DJTs tax return? Maybe we should ask Elon?

Maybe. Wouldn't it be great if he tried to uncover his tax returns? Would you still think it's a sign of totalitarianism?


It's totalitarian if the government does it. Private citizens are allowed (Free Speech) to make private judgments of this sort, even if their reasoning / conclusions are ludicrous or unsavory.


IRS is a part of the government and it's their job to make such judgements and investigate suspicious situations.


Indeed. And there are formal procedures to, and both legal and administrative oversight over, those investigations.

It's not appropriate for the Chief Executive (far less an unappointed private citizen, in charge of an ad hoc advisory body) to have arbitrary un-auditable access to every citizen's financial records.




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