10-19-2008, 10:06 PM
Personally, I think bragging rights should be about how much you pay in taxes instead of how opulent a lifestyle you can afford. Its not true that innovation only comes from individuals. Our government, through our tax dollars, is by far the largest supporter of research, both basic and applied. The breakthroughs that result from our taxes invariably end up in the hands of large corporate entities who go on the make huge profits from them. Where's our cut? Shouldn't everyone should have the same access to education? How much potential will we waste by denying college to people with limited means? If you're saying that we should rely on the charity of the rich elite to fund the arts, education, and basic help for the poor I would say you need to familiarize yourself with all the great civilizations that have come before us and see what happened with that approach.