Donald Trump's Tax.

[Atheist]

What do ABers make of this? If he really paid only $750 as a year's tax, does that set a good example to US citizens?

[Sunk]

Sandy
$421m - Outstanding loans that Trump owes, most of which becomes due within the next four years.

[andy-hughes]

Atheist - // Roy, so you think that Trump being legal trumps honesty, truthfulness and decency? //

And the So Rule makes its first appearence today with a text-book example!!

[Sunk]

So Rule?

What is that ?

[andy-hughes]

As usual, when tax is debated, the two sides line up -

Those who believe it is immoral, if not illegal, to evade tax, and -

Those who think that using poorly drafted legislation to avoid taxation is a legitimate proceedure.

I am firmly in the second camp - if the legislation allows the President, or indeed any individual, to avoid paying tax, then the responsibility is theirs to sort out their regulations, not the individuals to help them along by paying tax that is not demanded, simply to passify some notional morality clause.

[TrevorThePug]

The fa Celt that Trump paid more money to pornstar Stormy Daniels than he ever has to the IRS, howeve legal, will not sit well with many I should wonder.

[AuntPollyGrey]

Andy-Hughes 09.58

I totally agree Andy and wonder how many AB's would pay tax over and above what they needed to. It's human nature to try and keep as much of your hard earned cash as possible -especially when you see people who have never done a day's work in their adult lives getting handouts for sitting on their jacksies all day.
By using legitimate Tax avoidance schemes, you are not being 'immoral' you are being 'astute'.

[TrevorThePug]

So what you are saying Andy, is that you hate people who start sentences with ‘so’?

[Ellipsis]

> As usual, when tax is debated, the two sides line up -
> Those who believe it is immoral, if not illegal, to evade tax, and -
> Those who think that using poorly drafted legislation to avoid taxation is a legitimate proceedure.

There are more than two sides to this. As a normal citizen, even a super-wealthy one like Jeff Bezos, you may have your own attitudes about public service and debt to society. As a public servant, especially the highest profile one, your attitude is supposed to demonstrate leadership - i.e. do as I do. If the average American was to do as Trump did, to follow their leader, the whole country would be bankrupt.

So, because it's different for Bezos, who isn't running for President, and Trump, who is, there are more than two sides.

I know a guy who believes it's his moral duty to avoid as much tax as possible, because he believes that governments are basically incompetent and he can spend his money better than they can. In fact he's not a greedy guy and is a bit of a philanthropist. Do I see Trump the same way? He may think his government is incompetent and he can spend the money better himself, but for the most part he's in it for himself.

[ummmm]

Don't start this stupid 'so' rule again. I think it's derailing the thread!!!

[Mozz71]

//an amusing diversion//

That's a debatable description. ;-)

[Spicerack]

Also known as a Cathy Newman, Andy.

[Spicerack]

My reply to Bazile disappeared.
The difference between Trump and Hamilton is that Trump never made out like an SJW (so isn't a hypocrite)

[AuntPollyGrey]

// If the average American was to do as Trump did, to follow their leader, the whole country would be bankrupt.//

The average American could not do as Trump did. Tax Avoidance Schemes are used by the wealthiest of citizens and not suitable for someone with a regular job and salary.

[Mozz71]

//The difference between Trump and Hamilton is that Trump never made out like an SJW (so isn't a hypocrite)//

Basically, "I like Trump's politics, so I'll let him do what he likes without complaint. Hamilton is a liberal, and I disagree with everything he does."

[TrevorThePug]

The debates on this thread have nothing to do with the legality of tax avoidance but the protagonist.

Someone said it earlier. With Trumpton it’s ok because it’s legal and fine, but when Louis Hamilton did a BLM thing the same people called him a dirty great tax cheat.

Those posters have no consistency. It’s embarrassing.

[tamborine]

Soooo (hehe) many pop stars, high income & now royalty abandon UK due to taxation...but they often return for NHS.

Tax is not a level playing field!

[TrevorThePug]

Mozz you great buffoon we agreed I would say it first.

[Mozz71]

We agreed nuffin of da sort! You need to be quicker on the keyboard ;-)

[Spicerack]

Avatar Image Mozz71
//The difference between Trump and Hamilton is that Trump never made out like an SJW (so isn't a hypocrite)//

///So Basically, "I like Trump's politics, so I'll let him do what he likes without complaint. Hamilton is a liberal, and I disagree with everything he does."///

There, fixed it for you, Mozz.