if the EU wouldn't do all kinds of virtue signalling bullshit around the globe there would be money left to fund european software projects.

people should really decide what they want.

@bonifartius
>there would be money left to fund european software projects.
There a few initiative that can help that.
-Ban proprietary computing
-Don't allow tax heavens like Ireland Luxembourg, Netherlands etc...
-Tax mi/billionaires
-Allows countries to either make their own money or to borrow money to private banks without interests.

@mangeurdenuage
the proprietary stuff is as big because states buy it. i think all these monopolies we have are due to governmental spending (very likely due to "lobbying"/corruption). taxation wouldn't help, they'd tax MS and then just puchase it back with as much in price added as they added taxes in the first place.

all the bullshit they are spending money on. most of which isn't even helping their own population, only enriching their friends (like the pfizer deals). they really need to get _that_ side in order before even thinking about taxing some more or creating more inflation by making more money backed by nothing.

@mangeurdenuage
> the proprietary stuff is as big because states buy it.

iirc something german gov recently renewed microsoft software for millions.

@mangeurdenuage 1.2 billion in 2023 going to MS from germany alone

@mangeurdenuage ah, it's 1.2 billion for all kinds of software licenses, 198 million went to MS. most of the other licensing costs were by things like the defense ministry and ministry of interior so it was spend for spook software.