Someone sent me a small article on why socialism won't work - some of you may have got the email that is doing the rounds.
I'm not going into some big article, nor am I suggesting that we cut all the benefits and minimum wage. There are however are five sentences below which should be considered:
1. You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity by legislating the wealthy out of prosperity.
2. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving.
3. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else.
4. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.
5. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that is the beginning of the end of any nation.
If an independent Scotland is to be a fairer society, then it needs a balanced approach to government. Opportunities for people who want to start a business, without the fear of the government taxing the hell out of them. Benefits that give priority to those in real need.
Funnily enough, the Scottish Socialists seem to prefer the approach of taxing the hell out of the rich and giving everyone a huge minimum wage plus other benefits. Perhaps they could explain how this would make Scotland prosper in the long term.
(Sigh)
ReplyDelete1. You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity by legislating the wealthy out of prosperity. - No one is suggesting that we legislate the poor into prosperity or legislate the wealthy into prosperity (and by the way, i'm sure the wealthy have the means to look after thenselves, unlike the poor). The reason why top rate taxes should be higher than basic rates is to enable a fairer more equal society.
2. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving - True, but the Benefit's Dependancy culture blighting Scotland was the creation of that fine Socialist... er... Margaret Thatcher.
3. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else - why is it that right wing people assume that the government is taking money from them all the time, it's not as if all those Schools & Hospitals build themselves.
4. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it. - Ah but you cannot have a workable liquid economy when wealthy people hoard and hide their wealth away. When that happens, the wealthy become even more wealthy to the detriment to everyone else.
5. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that is the beginning of the end of any nation - This is true, but again this is borne from right wing dogma, not left wing dogma.
You are right in that if we become Independent, we need a balanced approch to government. Unfortunately, both the SNP and Labour have fallen under the Tory spell of believing that two in the bush is worth more than a bird in the hand.
1. Taxes have to be equal in my view. What you must do is prevent tax avoidance.
ReplyDelete2. Erm........fair point. Even if you must darken my doorstep with She Who Must Not Be Spoken Of.
3. I'm thinking of the benefits brigade, as in those who are basically lazy bastards. I was out of work for 24 months in total following a serious illness several years ago. Rather shocked at what I saw.
4. See point 1 - tax avoidance.
5. Agree.
The SNP won't change, since they are linked with business, as is any political party which seeks power.
The only true socialist I've ever seen in UK politics is Dave Nellis ( and possibly Tony Benn). Didn't agree with his policies but unless someone has some info I'm unaware of, he followed his principles. Unlike permatan Tommy and Gorgeous George, Red Ken.......