More than 80 of the world’s richest people have publicly called on world governments to initiate immediate, substantial, and permanent taxes on the rich in order the help fund the economic recovery that’s needed as a result of the COVID-19 fallout.
80多名世界富豪公开呼吁各国政府立即开始长期对富人大量增加税款,以此助力疫情后经济复苏。

The group, which calls itself “Millionaires for Humanity,” includes major names such as Disney heiress Abigail Disney and Jerry Greenfield, the cofounder of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.
这一群体自称为“人道的百万富翁”,这些大人物包括迪士尼女继承人阿比盖尔·迪士尼和Ben & Jerry’s冰淇淋联合创始人杰瑞·格林菲尔德。

In an open letter posted on the group’s website, its members state, “As Covid-19 strikes the world, millionaires like us have a critical role to play in healing our world. No, we are not the ones caring for the sick in intensive care wards.
这个组织的网站上发布了一封公开信,其成员表示:“新冠疫情席卷全球,我们这些百万富翁在助力全球复苏上负有不可推卸的责任。我们的责任不是在重症监护病房里照顾病人,

We are not driving the ambulances that will bring the ill to hospitals. We are not restocking grocery store shelves or delivering food door to door. But we do have money, lots of it. Money that is desperately needed now and will continue to be needed in the years ahead, as our world recovers from this crisis.”
不是开救护车送病人去医院,不是重新填满货架,或者挨家挨户送食物。我们真的有钱,有很多钱。全球要从这场危机中恢复,现在和未来几年都急需用钱。”

They go on to call for “governments to raise taxes on people like us. Immediately. Substantially. Permanently.”
他们还号召“政府对他们那些人增税,立即增税、大幅增税、永久增税”。

One of the most high-profile signatories of the letter is Abigail Disney, who is no stranger to speaking out about social inequalities and responsibilities—and urging governments to force change. Other high-profile signatories include filmmaker Richard Curtis and Sir Stephen Tindall, New Zealand’s second-richest man.
公开信最引人注目的署名是阿比盖尔·迪士尼,她经常就社会不平等和社会责任发表言论,并敦促政府强制变革。其他引人注目的署名还有电影制作人理查德·柯蒂斯和新西兰第二富豪Stephen Tindall爵士。

The letter also points out that the economic and social problems caused and exacerbated by COVID-19 can’t be solved by voluntary charity “no matter how generous.” The letter goes on to argue, “Government leaders must take the responsibility for raising the funds we need and spending them fairly. We can ensure we adequately fund our health systems, schools, and security through a permanent tax increase on the wealthiest people on the planet, people like us.”
信中也指出,“不管多慷慨的”志愿者慈善机构都解决不了新冠疫情造成并加剧的经济和社会问题。信中继续说:“政府领导人必须担负起筹集我们需要的资金并公平分配的责任。通过对我们这些全球富豪永久增税,就能保证卫生系统、学校和安全部门的资金充足。”

It ends by noting that the signatories of the letter will never “have to worry about losing our jobs, our homes, or our ability to support our families. We are not fighting on the frontlines of this emergency and we are much less likely to be its victims. So please. Tax us. Tax us. Tax us. It is the right choice. It is the only choice. Humanity is more important than our money.”
信的最后指出,在公开信中署名的人永远“不需要担心会失去工作、家庭或养家的能力。我们没有奋斗在这次战斗的前线,也不太可能会成为其受害者。所以,请务必、一定要为我们增税。这才是正确的选择,也是唯一的选择。人道比我们的钱更重要。”

 

翻译:菲菲