Quote:
Originally Posted by Ignitionnet
I see your point but we really should avoid quoting numbers regarding our respective tax bills.
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FWIW I have no issues with the taxes I pay but would prefer our welfare system to be far more contributory, and for our taxation system to be dramatically simplified and have the anomalies and various 'humps' in the progressive rates removed. Contribution based would get shot of at least some of the issues of generations of families living off welfare.
I'm very unhappy with the level of cuts being handed down by the government. It is doing some hideous things to my local area.
I dislike how much taxation in the UK is skewed to income rather than wealth, we should be taxing unproductive activities, not productive and gainful employment, more.
Tempted as I am to go through the past couple of pages and pick holes in contradictions and frankly extreme statements made I'll pass.
If all this makes me some 'socialist' who wants to steal other people's income and redistribute it so be it. I don't want a pay as you go state, I want a fair and reasonable one at both ends of the income scale. Increased equality can actually have a dramatic effect on the vast majority of incomes and outcomes.
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I also agree with this approach to taxation. The problem we have is that too many of the voting population would not agree with you.
Since the early 80's, people have been conditioned to think all taxation is "bad" and any wealth you may accrue, by whatever means, is yours and only yours. The concept of "earning" wealth is so devalued: if you can make money, by whatever means, then this is considered earnings when, in the wider scheme of things, these monies may just be generated through luck, position or privilege.
If you asked most people: "would you be willing to pay more tax to provide more social services, better long term infrastructure, etc.", the answer would be a significant majority "No".
If you asked: "Is the current wealth disparity a good thing for society in the long term", you would also probably get a "Yes".
Contrast the same questions in the Scandinavian countries where the opposite would be true. I believe we now live a basically selfish society here in the UK, me above us and what is mine stays mine .. at all costs.
Cameron's cuts are closing children centres .. no one commented or cared. I know most of you voted for Cameron so answer me this: when the current cuts and the new ones pending from the new Budget start to roll out, what will it take before you realise this has gone too far? When you are directly affected, when your relatives are affected? Where is the red line here?
Of course, saying things like this will not lead to meaningful debate, just "lefty" remarks but it still needs to be said ..