death and taxes
T’other week a young Dutch historian, Rutger Bregman, caused a bit of a stink at Davos’s World Economic Forum by going a little off-piste and telling the assembled billionaires that if they wanted to help save the world they should stop avoiding paying tax: “Taxes, taxes, taxes and all the rest is bullsh*t.” After pointing out that over 1500 private jets had flown in to hear David Attenborough explain how we’re wrecking the planet he commented they “Looked at me as if I was from another planet.” Food for thought.
Somewhat closer to home, you’d be hard put to find someone who didn’t love the National Health System. Our NHS is ace because we pay for it with our taxes, and the care we receive is the same whether we’re prince or pauper, irrespective of whether we’ve paid a million pounds or sweet fanny adams. If we want to save the NHS, or at least keep it on life-support, we need to start celebrating tax. Taxation is not the government of the day stealing from us but is our contribution to a safe and just society. If you’re an active contributor be happy that you are healthy, prosperous and charitable enough to do so.
On the face of it, the NHS does work for the majority of those that need it. Most can see a GP on the day, if their problem is urgent; passing successfully through A&E usually takes three or four hours at the longest; Over 95% of those with suspected cancer will see the appropriate specialist within a couple of weeks; If you’re unfortunate to have a heart attack you’ll have (hopefully) life-saving surgery within hours. Cost-wise, it’s really OK, too. At approximately £110bn a year, each person chips in about £1500 to fund its continued existence, roughly £30/month. When compared to the grand the same person spends on booze every year, it ain’t that shabby.
Money well-spent, me-thinks. Three cheers for tax.
