Intelligence Squared debate: Tax the rich (more)

Alf Tupper

The rich don't have to be taxed more, they need to be taxed at the same rate as they were before the twenty odd year jamboree which is just wrapping up; a rate which still allowed them to live very comfortably. Otherwise they wouldn't be rich would they?

And save me the 'creators of wealth' and the 'trickle down' stories.

If they don't like it here under those terms, then we'll just have to see if we can manage ourselves.

cuffleyburgers

How about the government wasting less?

If they actually concentrated on only doing what basic political theory says is the role of govt ie to protect borders, uphold the rule of law and look after foreign policy to which we can legitimately add "provide a safety net for the unfortunate" (as opposed to splurging on an immense self sustaining benefits racket) it would need much less.

This can include financing (but not providing) education and ditto for health care.

There can be no justification for spending amounting to nearly 50% of national output, especially when this is so casually, incompetently and possibly even fraudulently done.

Certainly there is less effective oversight of government spending than the most miserably run private sector organization.

Tax payers have fewer rights than shareholders. How can this be right?