A word to Mr. Bono

Posted about 5 years ago

Artist:
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U2
Album:
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- QUEUE
How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb

Dear Bono,I hear you're having some tax trouble lately. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/04/business/yourmoney/04amster.html?_r=1&oref=sloginhttp://www.slate.com/id/2152580/You beloved manager is moving your money around so you don't have to give the Emerald Isle a chunk of your income, and after all the years of very generous tax rates they had given you before!Now, I'm a fan. I have all the albums save the last one (the most accurate word in the title being â€œBombâ€). Hell, I even got the first greatest hits to get the B-Sides disc. I never got around to getting Rattle and Hum, but that's how it goes. And you guys were great the one time I saw you even though I was way way way back in the arena. And not only did I buy your albums with money, I also pay taxes! And so do the vast majority of your fans. Many of your fans also donate to charity. Somehow they swing it on a non-rock star salary. I joined Amnesty after seeing it in U2 liner notes. Granted I was still a teenager and didn't have much money to donate and got tired of being shaken down for money, but I think my heart was in the right place.Now, I know the Rolling Stones (and probably most other dino-bands that are still making money) do the same thing. But the Stones are not a role model in any sense, except of course in making a lot of money and doing a lot of drugs and being irresponsible and not paying taxes. But they have made no progress in relieving third world debt, and I wouldn't trust them to care for a pet, or really anything.So before I buy a red iPod, or another U2 album (assuming y'all figure out how to make great albums again), I'd like to see your tax forms.Thanks,Max

Comments (8)

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dj ivi says what is it with the rich being so greedy? haven't they ever heard of giving back to the community that raised them up to such a status? ha! i wouldn't trust the stones or U2 to care for a pet either!

Permalink posted 02/05/2007
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deadmandeadman says Watch out Max Nova. If you keep on linking rights with responsibilities someone's gonna label you a right-wing moron!

Permalink posted 02/05/2007
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ponchoandy says *Sigh*...hyprocrisy rears its ugly head again. I suppose Bono would argue that he'd rather donate his own money to causes he cares about than give it to the government of Ireland to spend as they please, but still, when you're richer than a Pharaoh, it doesn't seem like it's asking too much to pay your fair share. Thanks for posting this...even though it bums me out. I, too, like U2...or used to, before they Bombed.

Permalink posted 02/05/2007
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amber says the world is going to hell because we don't think we have any responsibilities to go with our rights. and i'm not right wing anything, let alone a moron. bono has always bugged me with his overinflated ego and rightousness. he sould pay taxes like the rest of us, unless he really is better than us, as he obviously thinks he is. and take off the fucking sunglasses--you are inside!

Permalink posted 02/05/2007
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Chrono144 says Seriously Bono is so famous he could cover Elvis Presley and make millions, why would taxes be such an issue?

Permalink posted 02/05/2007
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Max Nova says In response to deadmandeadman, I would say that supporting taxes would technically make me liberal, due to my great belief in the government to solve problems (and that belief remains despite a life lived inside the beltway). Now the rates of taxes, that's another can of worms.

Permalink posted 02/06/2007
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lemontwist says Must be rough, being so wealthy and privileged.

Permalink posted 02/12/2007
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secant says
I'm not sure about the truth of the claims that Bono does not pay his share of Irish taxes, but, if it is true, it is very disappointing. He's a great musician and a good human being, so far as I can tell. As lifelong fan, I urge you, Bono, to do the right thing on this one.

Permalink posted 04/20/2011