[Lord GVChamp]

http://freakonomics....-for-a-sex-tax/
I do hope to God's Green Earth that this is political satire
It does appear to be, though. One of the major topics in the econ blogosphere is "libertarian paternalism," espoused by Cass Sunstein, who recently "Nudge."

That one of the proposed tax names is "shtup" (nudge in Yiddish), I assume that this is supposed to demonstrate that "irrationality" of taxes designed to shape people's decision making.

Of course, to make sex safer, one actually has to SUBSIDIZE sexual activity, too...

[Renolds]

one look at the URL is a clue.

[Delta1212]

"An Immodest Proposal" is a dead giveaway of this being satire.

[Lord GVChamp]

We can always discuss the idea of whether or not it is moral to tax certain items more than others because we think that we should alter behavior.



For instance...cigarettes and alcohol taxes? Wut?

[Utracia]

Lord GVChamp, on Sep 2 2008, 03:03 PM, said:

For instance...cigarettes and alcohol taxes? Wut?

i see nothing wrong with taxing luxuries, especially something like tobacco hopefully the state taxes goes to things such as education since the federal government chooses to suck at giving proper funding

[Lamuella]

generally, anything with "modest proposal" in the title is either

1) satirical, or
2) written by someone who has never read or understood any Jonathan Swift.

[Gebiv]

Here's an idea: No taxes.

[Kevin the Great]

I thought this was gonna be a topic about the TV show with that one old lady.

*shudders*

This post has been edited by Kevin the Great: 02 September 2008 - 04:55 PM

[Elyat]

Kevin the Great, on Sep 2 2008, 06:54 PM, said:

I thought this was gonna be a topic about the TV show with that one old lady.

*shudders*

That woman is hilarious.

[jackyseto123]

/me falls on knees
*camera pans upwards*
/me tilts head upwards
*rain pour down*
/me screams, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

[mastab]

Freakonomics is entirely serious and nothing their blog or book says is a joke.

Interesting proposal, but I think a tax on not having sex would create a happier people and wealthier government.

[El Pilchinator]

Gebiv, on Sep 2 2008, 06:46 PM, said:

Here's an idea: No taxes.

a genius idea if you actually have a government you need to run


mastabs idea sounds a bit more creative.

[TBaggins]

I wonder how people would protest this? [/sarcasm]

[Genre]

El Pilchinator, on Sep 2 2008, 08:05 PM, said:

a genius idea if you actually have a government you need to run


mastabs idea sounds a bit more creative.

I find that ideally a government would require no taxes, only donations. I understand that this is not practical, only ideal.

[Lamuella]

Gebiv, on Sep 2 2008, 06:46 PM, said:

Here's an idea: No taxes.

only possible if you also have:

no police
no laws
no national security.

[Lamuella]

TBaggins, on Sep 2 2008, 08:06 PM, said:

I wonder how people would protest this? [/sarcasm]

obviously by having sex in boston harbor

[TBaggins]

Lamuella, on Sep 2 2008, 04:15 PM, said:

obviously by having sex in boston harbor

Boston Sex Party FTW!

[Loki Ire]

Lamuella, on Sep 2 2008, 08:15 PM, said:

only possible if you also have:

no police
no laws
no national security.

You can raise money without direct taxation on individuals.

[Gebiv]

Lamuella, on Sep 2 2008, 05:15 PM, said:

only possible if you also have:

no police
no laws
no national security.

Sounds reasonable enough.

[Lamuella]

Gebiv, on Sep 2 2008, 08:37 PM, said:

Sounds reasonable enough.

you first, then. Find an island nobody owns and do it.