2014-01-21 taxresearch.org.uk - eliminate "the" Bitcoin

[gentlemand]

Here's a fun little article from someone who just may be a little slow on the uptake.

http://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2014/01/21/hmrc-should-review-the-tax-status-of-the-bitcoin-to-see-what-can-be-done-to-eliminate-its-use

[aigeezer]

Here's a fun little article from someone who just may be a little slow on the uptake.

http://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2014/01/21/hmrc-should-review-the-tax-status-of-the-bitcoin-to-see-what-can-be-done-to-eliminate-its-use

Not slow on the uptake, I fear. He's powerful and has a huge vested interest in the status quo.

http://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/richard-murphy/

Some of the article's commenters are pretty slow on the uptake, but he's making mischief imho. He'll lose, of course.

Edit: Can't resist citing one of the author's own comments - I don't think he realized the possibility for self-reference. Here it is, in its entirety:

"Richard Murphy says:   
January 21 2014 at 10:47 pm   

That is utter drivel"

[gentlemand]

He's definitely a name and fundamentally seems to be on the side of the angels.

Considering his main bugbear seems to be tax evasion and tax avoidance, taking the angle of driving Bitcoin underground seems rather curious.

[aigeezer]

He (the author) proposed in a comment on his own article exactly how he would eliminate "the" Bitcoin:

"Richard Murphy says:   
January 21 2014 at 9:47 am   

a) You tax it as a voucher

b) You make it illegal to trade in it

c) You penalise those who accept it

It does not stop the trade entirely

It goes a long way to doing so"

To paraphrase - he wants to use the bully power of government to stamp out voluntary exchanges between random individuals.

Subtle, he's not.

Edit: Woot! I just noticed he's got a self-promoting ad next to that very comment - an ad for his new book - wait for it

"The Courageous State
My new book, out now"

I am literally choking with laughter - off to get a glass of water.   

[gentlemand]

Well, if he does manage to criminalise me I'll send him a paper wallet from where I'm enjoying my legal gains and then report him. Unusual man.

[meanig]

This guy is a well known talking head in the UK. I wouldn't be surprised if he elbows his way on to some news shows to further his vendetta against "the Bitcoin".

[Buffer Overflow]

Here's a little gem I picked up on his blog:

NortonScanDisk says: Bitcoin is regulated by the algorithm. And the laws of Mathematics.
Richard Murphy says: That is utter drivel

LOL

I little more reading and a lot less talking would serve you well in life Richard my son.

[justusranvier]

Seen in this way the Bitcoin is not about economic liberation, it’s about the destruction of the state.

Same thing.

[Denton]

Seen in this way the Bitcoin is not about economic liberation, it’s about the destruction of the state.

Same thing.

[bitbouillion]

Seen in this way the Bitcoin is not about economic liberation, it’s about the destruction of the state.

Same thing.

He should immediately write letters to the Queen, the President of the United States, the United Nations, the Pope a.s.o. to warn them about this coming "catastrophe". After saving us, Richard will get his place in the history books.  

[NanoAkron]

If someone here is ever up against him in a public forum, call him out for what he is - a bigot. Someone who refuses to change their prejudice no matter what the evidence.

[teukon]

Richard Murphy only does his position a disservice by publishing such a poor article and proceeding to troll his own comment section.

A quick read of the FAQ section of the Tax Justice Network (which he founded) suggests that he is driven by perceived unfairness in current tax systems.  I'm sure should he do more research into Bitcoin and publish a well-cited, cogent argument in which concerns over the potential for tax evasion are raised, he would discover some allies within the Bitcoin community.

[Peter R]

If you haven't followed the link to Richards Murphy's blog, read his article, and browsed the reader comments and his responses to them, please do.  There's some pure gold. 

[gentlemand]

It makes me want to give him a hug and bake him a big cake with a BTC on it.

[davidgdg]

He's definitely a name and fundamentally seems to be on the side of the angels.

I think a lot of people here would disagree. He is an arch-statist who fundamentally believes that all good things flow from the end of a gun.

[BitDreams]

Hubris?