Don' really like IHT (so maybe a problem)

["HArish Natarajan" <harishisnot@hotmail.com>]

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Hello Alice,

Couple of  things ?

1. Savings - IHT
Alice, I think that you?ve provided a false opposition. I accept that the 
IHT does not have the effect of stopping any savings but reduces it. There 
is still saving, but the point is that it is lower then if there was no IHT 
? which I consider a social ill.

2. Social equality
I think though that when you have a progressive income tax for instance and 
spending that targets those in lower income groups, there are mechanisms 
embedded within the status quo that are redistributive. Secondly, while I 
agree with the harm principle, we have to be quite precise in defining what 
the harm is here. If we don?t have the IHT, it doesn?t mean that thousands 
of people won?t survive, it just means that some Central Programs may have 
cuts in funding. I don?t know if perhaps small movement towards ?equal 
opportunity? constitutes a large enough gain to trump the liberty lost. Or 
at least it isn?t as clear cut.

Rab,

There is a very interesting debate in whether there should be democracy in 
funding of public works. Are all forms of art really equal, or should the 
government be selective in funding based on what (it thinks) is preferable? 
Anyone willing to share their opinions?

harish




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