World Tax proposed by France's PM Chirac (Big Barf alert)

Swiss Info Agency ^ | September 3rd, 2002 | Reuters

[GaryMontana]

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - French President Jacques Chirac will urge world leaders to launch talks on a new international tax to fight world poverty, sources with him at the Earth Summit in Johannesburg say.

The sources said Chirac rejected the existing "Tobin Tax" proposal to raise levies purely on foreign exchange transactions but would call in a speech to the summit for discussion on a wider tax on wealth generated by globalisation.

"It could be a tax on airplane tickets, on carbon dioxide, on health products sold in industrialised countries, and indeed on international financial transactions," one source said.

"The idea of wanting to hold back a small share (of global wealth) to relieve poverty is not a mad idea at all. But the debate has been polluted by the campaign on the Tobin Tax," the same source added.

The Tobin Tax, championed by non-governmental groups as a way both to raise funds and to deter financial speculation, attracted much interest particularly in Europe last year but since appears to have fallen out of favour.

European officials have noted possible problems with the tax, proposed by U.S. Nobel Prize winner James Tobin in the 1970s. One is that financial markets would simply move to those countries that chose not to apply the tax.

World leaders began arriving at the World Summit on Sustainable Development on Monday hoping to settle differences over an action plan to end what South African President Thabo Mbeki called "global apartheid" between rich and poor.

The sources close to Chirac, who was due to speak in Johannesburg around midday local time (11 a.m. British time) on Monday, pointed to studies suggesting global development aid would have to be doubled to around $100 billion (64 billion pounds) to really fight poverty.

[spunkets]

"French President Jacques Chirac will urge world leaders to launch talks on a new international tax to fight world poverty,"

Spunkets urges each and everyone to launch their middle finger high in the air in response to this nonsense.

[July 4th]

It could be a tax on airplane tickets, on carbon dioxide, on health products sold in industrialised countries

SO, the goal of this tax isn't to just reduce poverty. It is to reduce the health and living standards of the industrialized world at the same time. F--- them!

[Dave S]

Time to invade France! LOL

Want to bet whether they last as long as Saddam did in the 100 hour war?

[MarkM]

This is why Bush rejected the Kyoto treaty and the International Criminal Court. Because joining these International organizations would allow them to tax the US. Then, instead of just the Democrats trying to take our money we'd have 3rd world dictatorships trying to tax us to death also.

[LibWhacker]

World Tax proposed by France

Sure thing. But the least France can do is pay America's share in perpetuity squared for saving their worthless butts twice in the last century.

[snarkpup]

We should have the rangers at Yellowstone Park educate the UN on why they put up "Do Not Feed the Bears" signs. Then we put "Do Not Feed the Governments" signs around the Third World.

[DoughtyOne]

Gee I wonder if the French would be upset if we stopped buying French wines, buying other French products and visiting their nation.

[Mr_Mayor]

I agree with a tax to help he poor! The poor American farmers and US goverment that has to feed all these starving people of the world and needs to be the benifactors of this tax. We need to tax the people that get FREE food so that they understand that this food costs money and that if they would quit breeding like rats then we wouldn't have to send them so much food. If we keep feeding these idiots the ywill keep breeding and the vicious cycle will never end. I say we tell the French that Zimbabwe should feed them. Screw the poor and starving. They brought on themselves. Iwill send them guns to overthrow their goverment but no food till they overthrow the bums in control. I am sick of heaing, Its for the poor and children. screw'em all let them die. I know that sounds sick but i am tired of kissing the worlds a**. It's time we drop a little crap on the world and let them know we Feed them!

[Mr_Mayor]

Say: Who cut that cheese fella? HA HA HA

[dark_lord]

Ultimatley they paid another Greek local handsomely to show them a secret path around the pass and were able to attack and take the Spartans from the rear.
Gee, a greek taking a bribe.
More greeks being taken "from the rear".
No suprises there.

[upchuck]

WOW, a world-wide income redistribution scheme. I'm impressed! Talk about cojones!!! </sarcasm>

[USA21]

judges from the United States are helping U.N to make laws and tax on America

[A CA Guy]

Don't know, can our armies repel a food fight?

[Alas Babylon!]

Ok, Monseiur President, here's my world tax list w/percentages:

1. (as already stated) 400% on wine and champagne
2. 350% on dirty gym-sock smelling soft cheeses
3. 200% EXPORT duty on Jerry Lewis movies
4. 200% IMPORT duty on movies about guys who can't or won't talk and move around like they're touching things that aren't there
5. 600% on expensive perfumes used to hide bad body odor
6. 500% on underground withered black mushrooms that only dogs and pigs can smell above ground
7. 1,000% on mashed goose livers

I'm sure the FReeper community can come up with more...

[Nuke'm Glowing]

I'll gladly pay the "world" tax on every French flag I buy and burn.

[Nogbad]

I have long advocated a progressive income tax
in which the poor would pay 60% and the rich 10%.

The rich, generally being more intelligent and industrious,
are better qualified to spend the money they retain.

The poor, of course, should be allowed to keep enough money
for some kind of housing, enough junk food to stay alive and a TV set.

[Corin Stormhands]

Let's give him a big hand...

I can't afford a hand. All I can spare is a finger...

Oh, I'm sorry, I thought you were referring to the French...

[Flyer]

Wasn't there something in our history about taxation and representation?

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