The Pirates Among Us - The Offshore Tax Evaders

Please take a few minutes to listen to this episode of The Current on offshore tax evasion.

This documentary applies to the US as well as Canada. It points out how governments target the underground economy instead of the offshore economy. The offshore economy is estimated to contain 10-15% of the world’s wealth. The Cayman Islands and Bahamas have been set up by banks, such as the Royal Bank of Canada to, assist greedy people and corporations to avoid paying taxes. Why should this group be allowed to avoid taxes? Lobbyists, lawyers and accountants working for their rich clients may try to explain why such tax avoidance schemes should be allowed but there really is no “public good” reason that governments should allow offshore tax havens let alone assist in setting them up. The bottom line is that there is absolutely no good reason that offshore tax havens should be allowed. Absolutely nothing justifies the use of tax havens. Period!

The Problem of Entertainment

In the past entertainment must have been a luxury that few could afford. Like everything taken to excess today entertainment is problematic. Today entertainment appears to be much more than a diversion but rather an end in itself. Whole industries, movies, theatre, sports, gaming, gambling have sprung up to support the demand. Like consuming too much food or alcohol, consuming too much entertainment is very problematic.

Are Rich People Mentally Ill? Seriously.

You often hear expressions about stashing money away for hard times. This may be prudent or instinctive like squirrels saving food for the winter. However, when hoarding resources goes on for an extended period of time by humans, sometimes over generations, one has to wonder if those that engage in this activity have become deranged. Are they impaired mentally? Why would anyone want more of a resource than they could possibly use unless they are somewhat mentally challenged. You can’t take it with you so why try? Maybe rich people just don’t get it because of a mental impairment. Of course there are always rich people who eventually want to give back but in many cases they’ve already done damage by hoarding and are making repairs.

Three Under-appreciated Western Cultural Icons

Why did Western Culture develop the industrial revolution and then far surpass other cultures in developing science and applying it to it’s civilization?

I think the answer is from an unlikely and under-appreciated source. Only the Western Culture has cultural icons that develop skeptical thinking in its population. I know education or the school system may want to claim the credit, but I believe that Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy (The Holy Trinity) deserve the credit. Indeed, each of these innocent children stories once started, evolved into more elaborate deceptions in their detailing that made them more believable to impressionistic minds.