April 12, 2006
If you believe Noam Chomsky....
One of the most persistent themes in Noam Chomsky's work has been class warfare. The iconic MIT linguist and left-wing activist frequently has lashed out against the "massive use of tax havens to shift the burden to the general population and away from the rich," and criticized the concentration of wealth in "trusts" by the wealthiest 1%. He says the U.S. tax code is rigged with "complicated devices for ensuring that the poor -- like 80% of the population -- pay off the rich."But trusts can't be all bad. After all, Chomsky, with a net worth north of US$2-million, decided to create one for himself. A few years back he went to Boston's venerable white-shoe law firm, Palmer and Dodge, and, with the help of a tax attorney specializing in "income-tax planning," set up an irrevocable trust to protect his assets from Uncle Sam. He named his tax attorney (every socialist radical needs one!) and a daughter as trustees. To the Diane Chomsky Irrevocable Trust (named for another daughter) he has assigned the copyright of several of his books, including multiple international editions.
Chomsky favours massive income redistribution -- just not the redistribution of his income. No reason to let radical politics get in the way of sound estate planning.
When I challenged Chomsky about his trust, he suddenly started to sound very bourgeois: "I don't apologize for putting aside money for my children and grandchildren," he wrote in one e-mail. Chomsky offered no explanation for why he condemns others who are equally proud of their provision for their children and who try to protect their assets from Uncle Sam. (However, Chomsky did say that his tax shelter is OK because he and his family are "trying to help suffering people.")
Via the beautiful Jessica of New Vintage.
Posted by Karol at April 12, 2006 08:23 AM | TrackBackTechnorati Tags: Noam+Chomsky Noam+Chomsky+is+a+fraud
Schweet.
I've got a cousin who writes for the Nation, Frontline, other papers like that,and he used to live with his evil capitalist sister and her husband. They earned about $200K/year between the two of them, affording a sweet house in the hills of Oakland.
Capitalism was terrible, but it kept a roof over his head, and an $800K one at that.
Then he took an assignment reporting in a third world country. As he writes about how terrible corprations are exploiting the people, he has a houseboy that tends to his every whim, and is paid in food and a roof over his head.
"Well, he's part of the rent I pay every month."
You can't help but laugh at leftists.
I love him and all, but I can't help but laugh at him.
Posted by: Sean at April 12, 2006 12:00 PMI think this is an excerpt from Peter Schweizer's Liberal Hypocrisy book. I believe you guys had him on as a guest at one point.
Yeah, people who are willing to do social engineering on everyone other than themselves are funny. Unless they ever get into a position of power. Then it's not funny.
Posted by: Yaron at April 12, 2006 01:36 PMI don't call it full blow hypocracy if one is against the current system but is willing to play the game and use the system because that is the system we all have to live in.
If tax shelters became outlawed and he continued to use them after advocating so long to outlaw them then that is what I would call hypocracy.
Since he is rich and outlawing tax shelters would hurt him financially then what he is advocating is actually a very unselfish act.
Posted by: PAUL at April 12, 2006 05:31 PMYou guys are hilarous. What you fail to realize is that with $200K, $1 million, $2 million or even $100 million, . .you're still apart of the masses and you're still 'poor' compaired to the upper 1% of 1% that largely control ALL of our resources. If Bill Gates woke up tomorrow and he was worth $100 million; He'd jump out of a window.
Anyone who thinks they're better than the next man because he's got a little paper, is part of problem NOT the solution. You guys get your little $200k and become a speaker box for the right wing. Not realizing that the upper crust are laughing at your little $200K. You're not apart of their club. We're all the same, all 99% of us, whether worth $100 million or you're in the red; it matters not in the eyes and wallets of the 'real' wealthy. All in all, I can't knock anybody's hustle but at the end of the day the truth is still the truth. (especially if you OWN the newspaper)
-Peace and I'm out!
Posted by: the truth at April 12, 2006 06:05 PM
