The debate of whether the government has the ability to control your money in ways of distribution and accumulation by taxation, has been going on over hundreds of years. Throughout the past, many magnificent thinkers and philosophers have shared their opinions, and their quotes are now read to this day. However, one philosopher which explains how this situation should be handled was Henry George. He once said:.
"Why is it that in America we have the 'House of Have' and the 'House of Want' side by side" from this basic injustice flow all the injustices in our society which condemn the producer of wealth to poverty and give the no produce wealth and luxury"tax the unearned growth and use the money to help the rest of society."".
Progress and Poverty 1867.
In this quote Henry George describes many main points in which the government should be doing with the wealth in the economy to help with the injustices in our society. These actions taken by the government should include - high taxation on the unearned growth, and less taxation on the main producer's of wealth.
Unearned wealth such as inherited fortunes is an injustice in our society that has taken place since the creation of money. From small businesses to world wide corporations, wealth is accumulated over time and passed on to heirs and heiresses to keep it going. For example, Paris and Nicky Hilton are multibillionaire "hard-partying"" (The New York Metro) hotel heiresses to the Hilton Hotel chain. This inherited wealth should be highly taxed, for non-producers do not work for the inherited money and do not deserve wealth and luxury in which they did not earn. The taxed money should then be used to benefit the society. Donations could be made to organizations like the Red Cross to help further their research into live-saving technology and techniques, or as problems arise, such as the war in Iraq, donations could be added to the billions of dollars of money that is being spent on aiding troops and the reconstruction of Iraq.
