Robert Reich: Billionaires Taxed

Robert Reich Money Quote saying Jeff Bezos just saw his net worth increase to over $200 Billion and paid no taxes – why? Robert Reich said:
 

 

“Jeff Bezos just became the first person on the Forbes 400 list with a net worth of $200 billion … and we’re still arguing about whether the billionaires need to be taxed” — Robert Reich
 

In this quote, Robert Reich is expressing frustration that while Jeff Bezos has just reached the unprecedented milestone of having a $200 billion net worth, making him the richest person in modern history, there is still debate around whether extreme wealth at the billionaire level should be more heavily taxed.

Reich seems to be implying that Bezos’ immense fortune, larger than almost any private accumulation of wealth ever, underscores how the tax system does little to curb the growing concentration of wealth and power among a tiny few individuals.

By pointing out that this discussion is still ongoing even in light of Bezos’ unparalleled wealth, Reich appears to be arguing that billionaires have accumulated too much and higher taxes are needed to reasonably address wealth inequality in society.

Jeff Bezos just became the first person on the Forbes 400 list with a net worth of $200 billion … and we’re still arguing about whether the billionaires need to be taxed.

— Robert Reich (@RBReich) October 5, 2021

Lucretia Mott: Woman Property Tax

Lucretia Mott Money Quote saying women had payed taxes used to fund universities they could not attend at the time. Lucretia Mott said:
 

 

“Women’s property has been taxed, equally with that of men’s, to sustain colleges endowed by the states; but they have not been permitted to enter those high seminaries of learning” — Lucretia Mott

In this quote, Lucretia Mott is critiquing the lack of equal access to higher education for women in the United States during the 19th century. She notes that women’s property was taxed just like men’s property to fund state-sponsored colleges and universities.

However, Mott then points out that despite financially contributing to these institutions, women themselves “have not been permitted to enter those high seminaries of learning.”

In essence, Mott is arguing that it was unfair and unjust for women to help pay for colleges through taxes on their property, yet still be denied the right to enroll and study at those same schools.

The quote conveys Mott’s view that women deserved educational opportunities equal to those of men since they also financially supported the system.

Birthday: January 3, 1793 – Death: November 11, 1880

Art Buchwald: Tax Things Not Taxed Before

Art Buchwald Money Quote saying reform is removing taxes, then placing them on new sources. Art Buchwald said:
 

 

“Tax reform is taking the taxes off things that have been taxed in the past and putting taxes on things that haven’t been taxed before” — Art Buchwald

In this quote, Art Buchwald is satirically commenting on the nature of tax reform efforts. While tax reform aims to simplify or improve the tax code, Buchwald suggests the actual practice often involves removing taxes from some established areas and then imposing new taxes elsewhere to make up for lost revenue.

His perspective implies that “reform” sometimes means shifting the tax burden around rather than substantive change. Buchwald also hints that reforms still need to generate adequate funds, so new levies may be placed on things not previously taxed.

Overall, the quote takes a wry, cynical view of tax reform as a process that can entail removing taxes from some areas in name only, while covertly introducing fresh taxes elsewhere to maintain overall tax intake. Buchwald aims to highlight the political trade-offs and potential lack of meaningful reform behind some tax changes.

Birthday: October 22, 1917 – Death: December 15, 2013

Oscar Wilde: Heavily Tax Rich Bachelors

Funny Money Quotes: those who are happier should probably be taxed at a higher rate – like single rich men Oscar Wilde said:
 

 

“Rich bachelors should be heavily taxed. It is not fair that some men should be happier than others” — Oscar Wilde

This tongue-in-cheek Oscar Wilde quote is suggesting that it is not fair for some men, specifically rich bachelors, to be happier than others simply because they have more money. He humorously implies that heavily taxing wealthy bachelors could help redistribute some of their surplus wealth to benefit others who are less fortunate.

The quote promotes the idea that extreme differences in happiness levels between individuals due only to unequal distribution of wealth in society is unjust and can be addressed through taxation policies that lessen such inequalities.

Birthday: October 16, 1854 – Death: November 30, 1900

Chester A. Arthur on Measure of Tax Evil

Chester A. Arthur Money Quotation saying taxation hurts those who make the least more, so they feel it more. Chester A. Arthur said:
 

 

“The extravagant expenditure of public money is an evil not to be measured by the value of that money to the people who are taxed for it” — Chester A. Arthur

In this quote, former U.S. President Chester A. Arthur is expressing concern about excessive government spending and the costs it imposes on taxpayers. His perspective seems to be that wasteful outlays of public funds should not be judged solely based on the aggregate dollar amounts, but rather by their impact on citizens who ultimately finance such spending through taxes.

Arthur appears to believe that even if expenditure amounts seem small in total, they still represent a burden and “evil” imposed on individual taxpayers. The quote conveces Arthur’s view that fiscal responsibility requires considering not just budget line items, but also their true costs dispersed among members of the public who work to fill government coffers.

He seems to argue for prudent spending and accountability and against dismissing profligacy concerns due to a focus only on top-line budget figures.

Birthday: October 5, 1829 – Death: November 18, 1886