Scott Kirby caused a stir last week when he said the U.S. should have a national wealth tax, but the United Airlines CEO didn’t back down and also offered another idea, this time for national service.
In a New York Times Q&A last Sunday, he was asked if he’s concerned that the general public has less trust in CEOs. Kirby replied that wealth inequality poses a danger to society and should be addressed.
“We should have a national wealth tax—it won’t work by state because people will just move,” he added. “And I think we should have inheritance taxes that get close to 100% at some level. I would pay them.”
The remarks came as California voters will decide next month on a billionaire tax, which some economists have said could “kickstart a movement” that spreads to other states and countries.
Conservative pundits and politicians quickly slammed Kirby over his wealth tax comments with some suggesting he should give away his salary to United employees.
While he didn’t walk back his statement, the CEO told Bloomberg TV on Wednesday that he’s not a policy advocate, has no plans to run for office, and was merely asked for a “non-consensus opinion.”
Kirby explained that it comes down to basic fairness, noting that some people who earn passive income can avoid income taxes. In his view, a fairer system would tax wealth growth in some way while also lowering income taxes.
Despite the blowback, he said the emails that he’s gotten about a wealth tax have been split 50/50 for and against.
Kirby was then asked if he has another non-consensus opinion. (In fact, the Times sought his most contrarian take, and he said AI isn’t an investment bubble.)
“I’ll tell you another thing that I think would be a good idea,” he said. “Again, I’m not a policy advocate. I’m not running for office, but I think national service for everyone would be a good idea. I served, not to the military, but I think if everyone had to spend a couple of years as a teacher, as a firefighter, serving in the military—I think that’d be good for our country.”
Kirby attended the Air Force Academy and got degrees in computer science and operations research. But he couldn’t become a fighter pilot because an inner ear issue prevented him from flying level while his eyes were closed.
Instead, he worked at the Pentagon as a budget analyst and earned a master’s degree in operations research before starting his 30-year career in the airline industry.
Kirby still credits the Air Force Academy with instilling values that he applies to this day, especially a “no excuses” attitude. Last month, he told the Air Force Academy Association & Foundation, “I have an absolute requirement that everyone on my executive team buys into ‘no excuses.’ I think it is the most important lesson learned as a cadet. It is perhaps the most important life lesson you can learn.”
Meanwhile, he’s not the only CEO with a record of national service. A handful of Fortune 500 bosses have served in the military, mostly in the Army. They include Casey’s General Stores CEO Darren Rebelez, Emcor CEO Anthony Guzzi, Xcel Energy CEO Bob Frenzel, Sempra Energy CEO Jeffrey Martin, and Advance Auto Parts CEO Shane O’Kelly.
During his interview with Bloomberg on Wednesday, Kirby said, “I love this country. I want it to be great for the next 250 years. I want it to be great for my kids.”
He added: “We need to stop punting some of our problems to the next generation: the deficits we have, what to do about Social Security. I have seven kids. I care about what the country is going to be like for them.”
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