French Socialist's big idea: tax the rich

[xchrom]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_FRANCE_TAX_THE_RICH?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2012-04-03-02-18-22

PARIS (AP) -- French presidential candidate Francois Hollande, leading in polls but lacking in ideas that stick in voters' minds, finally dropped a bombshell: As president, he would levy a 75 percent tax on anyone who makes more than (EURO)1 million a year.

The flashy idea from the normally bland Socialist proved wildly popular, fanning hostility toward executive salaries and forcing President Nicolas Sarkozy to defend his ostentatious friendships with the rich. It also unleashed debate in the French press about whether the wealthy would decamp for gentler tax pastures.

As much as France likes the plan, it does not seem to have assured Hollande's victory, which, just three weeks before the first round of voting, is growing more uncertain as Sarkozy reaps the benefits of projecting presidential mettle following France's shooting attacks.

Polls put the two men neck-and-neck in the first round April 22, and show Sarkozy gaining on Hollande for the decisive runoff May 6.

[TahitiNut]

1. The "threat" that the wealthy would leave ...

... sounds like a selling point to me. Fuck 'em. Who calls themselves "patriots"??? Yeah. Riiight.


As far as I'm concerned, if they want to hire Chinese workers, let 'em move to China, and if they want to hire Mexican workers, let 'em move to Mexico. If there's a decent operative definition of economic treason, it's harvesting the domestic benefits bought with the blood, sweat, and tears of the working class and selling out to countries that practice neocolonialism or perpetuate slave labor.

[xchrom]

2. like the rich would ever leave france...

IT'S FRANCE!

i always love that argument -- like the rich here would leave the hamptons or NYC or beverley hills or what ever enclave.

but yes let 'em go -- cause SOME BODY will be happy to take their place.

[Octafish]

3. By Jove! I think he's got it.

And if they refuse to pay their fare share, well, there's that other French invention.

[xchrom]

4. +1

[JDPriestly]

5. Sarkozy. Somehow I just don't trust him at all.

Hollande may be bland, but Sarkozy is, in my view, a scoundrel.