SIR GUESTLING THORN

 Word of the day SNOLLYGOSTER (19th century) a person guided by personal gain rather than principles

Should the rich and I mean the very rich pay more in tax to subsidise those less well of and by less I mean poor? I suppose if you are very rich you are entitled to say in a capitalist world that you should keep whatever you’ve got and the poor be damned. I know there are many many wealthy people (and many who don’t have so much) who are generous both with their time and their money. Personally I think they should be tax more if they earn more. However I would want proof positive that the additional tax is actually directed to those most in need or other social services that require funding? And therein is the problem, we have no actual control over where our taxes are spent. We all know where the large sums are spent NHS etc but huge amounts are wasted on all sorts of projects, contracts and supposed great schemes, which I’m sure if we were more involved would go to support and fund all those hard pressed services that help people. It is true there is only so much money (though you would not think so at present) and priorities have to be decided. Naturally you would expect me to write that this government (all Conservative governments?) are “spaffing money up the wall” all over the place with little regard for the consequences of their misguided corruption! Money can be the “root of all evil” but money itself is only as good as those who use it. There has to be some form of exchange for goods and money is easy to understand. Unfortunately those who have none want some, those who have plenty want more and then there are those who will steal, gamble, kill, just to get some! I have some, enough probably but if more came my way I would not turn it down. I’ve said this before but once you have more than you need surely it is then how you can help society, friends and others that really counts and not for your own ego (though it gives a warm feeling to be a giver) but because it’s the right thing to do!

Stay well