Neat concept but flawed in execution. All the government had to do was make sure they never worked or owned anything of value again. They wouldn't be paying taxes and the govt. kept it's promise.

Edit: Sort of like the plan Obama has for many Americans.

No.  Taxes permeate every aspect of life, not just earnings.  If the statement was never pay income taxes (or FICA or medicaid), I would look into saving the world.  But NO Taxes?  It just would not be possible.

I did include what Chuck (or even the movie) implied, that things such as not paying sales tax or gasoline tax (others I'm sure) as it would be impossible to exempt someone from these, unless everything the person consumes is provided, and they don't obtain a thing in the free market. I believe Chuck was generalizing the fantasy of it. Of course it wouldn't have been as funny in the movie if they just asked for $100 million after taxes, even though that would be more plausible.

That makes sense so I guess it would make sense Income Tax is what they meant when they said that. I think it was probably more about sticking it to the man but also about keeping what they earn. in their case, the kind of work they do makes them good money so skipping on taxes would be one hell of a gain in profits. But, with the Gov't we have today, they would just look for legislation that would make them pay more of something else to make up for the taxes they wouldnt pay.

First, Thanks to Nitro for the clarification.  Second, I thought about it some more.  And I pretty much decided that no, I would still want to pay taxes (to have an ownership in the government).  But I would gross up my income so that my net would still be very lucrative!

But hell, I would pay THEM to be able to go into outer space!!!!!

If I was to save the world, I think I would be entitled to some privilege.

Not jerk-ass privilege like "never face criminal charges", but, you know, some privilege. Maybe a permanent passport? No waiting line EVER? Not at the government, not at the bank, not at the restaurant?

You know, make the law: "Remi Maloney should never have to wait in line"

No need to thank me Doc, my "clarification" was just an assumption of Chuck's idea and movie. Me, I would take the tax-free money, the govt. would get its share of taxes from the stuff I'd purchase (one does pay taxes on interest from cash in the bank as well), so I wouldn't feel too bad about that.

Yeah, space is one over indulgence I do support. Why? Because the innovations do make it to the public at some point, which in turn enriches all our lives. So their is a return on our investment. Secondly, it's just plain cool.

You know, not until this decade has the average person been so informed about how this Gov't functions, how politicians can't always be trusted and how much money is wasted by this Gov't (regardless of party). But even after all these years the average person is still very ignorant about most of the details, especially such improtant ones as the amount of taxes we pay on every dollar we get. Ever since I came to JU I have heard of taxes I didn't even know existed or didn't understand at all what the point was. I can only imagine how much money the average person would actually have if only basic taxes (such as income tax and sales tax) were paid. I once looked at my phone and cable bill and found myself very, very confused as to all the taxes I was paying. It was so madning I was reluctant to call the cable company to find out what all these were for fear they would give me the run around. Probably why they charge them in the first place.

And I still wonder why the Gov't and some people believes we need more taxes, or at least think we are too stupid to notice we on't really need more taxes.

Hah, so it's not about doing the right thing huh? Would you refuse to save the world and instead die if you don't get these privileges? I don't know about being entitled, I don't really like that word much. In the case of saving the world, which in turn means saving my own ass, I would see it more like it's my duty to save myself and those I love. If they wanna call me a hero and throw me a parade, that's OK by me. Give me free lunch for life, never pay taxes again, pay for my bills till the day I die? Why not? It's one thing to ask (or demand or expect), it's another to be offered. I wouldn't demand or expect it, but it would be nice to be offered these privileges you mentioned.

Nah, I'd save the world anyway. I just love it too much not to.

But I have the right to ask, right?

Ultimately, it'd be all about how much people are gracious about it. After-fact, they can do whatever they want, after all. "Yhea, you saved the world, but we didn't sign the fine lines"

Which is why it's not like I'm asking jerkish things

Question: do you think (in Armaggedon) the Loan Shark would have given the crazy guy some slack about repaying the money?

Hmm, considering the guy could probably get the US Gov't to make them back off, I'd say he could get them to forgive the money. After all, he did save their lives.

Going a bit off topic here, I tend to be a perfectionist when it comes to the story line of movies and I noticed something at the end of the movie that did not make sense to me. When the heroes land and exit the shuttle, the kid who didn't know who his daddy was comes running to his dad and that makes sense cause the mom saw him on TV, but how did the bimbo know about the crazy guy landing and going to him to wait for him? She did not exactly look smart enough to find her way to NASA.

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ObfuscatingStupidity

Obfuscating Stupidity. Many strippers are a lot smarter than they act, 'cause it's easier to manipulate your customer when they underestimate you.

However, I haven't really seen anything of the stripper in the movie outside of the pure visual, so how could we know if she is just a stupid bimbo? (do I need to say "stupid" when I say "bimbo", or are the terms automatically linked?)

That would be better than no taxes!

1 - What he said, I would not refuse, but does not hurt to ask!

2 - The Loan shark would not have forgiven him.  But I am sure the government would have taken care of the debt,

Or them.