Marlene Engelhorn: Let's Talk About Tax, Baby

All Ears with Abigail Disney

This week, as Congressional Democrats attempt to convince Republicans to impose taxes on the very wealthy, Abby talks “tax positivity” with the delightful Austrian activist Marlene Engelhorn. Engelhorn made headlines around the globe when she announced that she wanted the government to take away–through taxes–most of her multi-million dollar inheritance. Marlene, whose ancestors founded giant pharmaceutical and chemical companies, tells Abby about growing up in a family that consistently downplayed their wealth. As a child she thought she lived in a “big house.” Later, she realized it was a huge mansion. “I don't see why a person like me should have this power.” she tells Abby. You wouldn’t pick someone out of ‘the sperm lottery’ and give them a double-digit multimillion sum and say go play! But that's what happens when you inherit. And frankly, history has not proven this a good idea.” Marlene says unfair tax laws worldwide are causing inequality to grow and threatening democracy. Whether in the United States, or Austria, she says “Nobody gets asked whether or not they want to pay taxes other than wealthy people.” Abby, who herself has spent years advocating for higher tax rates on fellow plutocrats, points out that she and Marlene are members of a tiny demographic: “people who are questioning their disproportionate wealth and power, and working to end both.”
Marlene's organization is called taxmenow, and is based in Vienna. Similar groups include the Patriotic Millionaires and Resource Generation in the US, Resource Justice in the UK, and Resource Movement in Canada.
EPISODE LINKS
Marlene Dietrich
She's Inheriting Millions. She Wants Her Wealth Taxed Away. (NY Times)
'Gobsmacked' and Other Astonishing Words (CS Monitor)
Hannah Arendt
Early BASF Historical Timeline
For context on BASF's role in WWII, see the 2008 Kirkus Review of Hell's Cartel
Iron Man Writer Says Elon Musk is Real-World Tony Stark Inspiration (Esquire)
Salt-N-Pepa's Let's Talk About Sex