There's a very good defence of Inheritance Tax under the above title in the New Statesman, written by Martin O'Neill.
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I continue to think that this misses the point. Tax is not a moral issue, but a political one, and there will be changes to inheritance tax because of politics.
And what informs politics but morality at the end of the day.
Sure, pargmatic issues intervene in tax design
But morality informs the choice as to what to tax, and at what level
Tax and morality cannot be separated, in my opinion
Richard, whilst I take your point it is worth remembering that when Darling stands up today most of his speech (and assuming there is any content of substance then that as well) will be driven by political considerations.
It is perhaps also worth remembering that in terms of tax collection, morality, if there is any, follows Marx – from each according to his means. Problem is that for most people tax collection morality means collect it from anyone but me!!!
“Tax and morality cannot be separated, in my opinion”
Which rather removes any objectivity whatsoever from your point of view, doesn’t it?
Morality is a purely subjective opinion, based on the nature and nurture of the individual espousing it. Taxation objectively redistributes earnings from wealth creators. This may or may not be a good thing – but your statement makes it clear that, for you, taxation is about your beliefs, not the facts. Thank you for clarifying this point.
Some of us do not think morality subjective
Some of us think right and wrong can be differentiated
Those of us who do are probably 99.9% of the population
What does that say about you?
Start with “selfish git”.
Is that OK?
That is remarkably uncharitable of you, Richard. I am not going to hold myself open to accusations under Matthew 7:1-2, but “git” is vulgar insult from Middle English.
Alex
You really don’t like the truth do you?
But you can excuse any abuse
Why is that?
Why are you too so keen on exploitation of the majority by the minority?
Richard
Richard,
Sorry. Was it something I said? I was merely pointing out that the phrase “selfish git” is not one to which I am accustomed to hearing in church, or from professed regular communicants with the Anglican church, but as I am open minded and it is your blog and you can do or say what you like here, perhaps we can leave it at that?
Alex
You should get used to plain speaking
Christ seemed pretty good at it
Shame more Christians aren’t
Telling the truth is a virtue
I think I did
And yes – it was something you said. Most things you say are on the end of the scale that reveals your hatred for all bar yourself
I have problems with that
If you’re a sommunicant Anglican I can see no way you’re following the teaching’s of Christ
Richard
Richard, Every time you insult and persecute others, perhaps they rejoice and are glad because they know where their reward lies.
“Most things you say are on the end of the scale that reveals your hatred for all bar yourself”
Please let me have examples, because I am big enough to take criticism, but I suspect that what it is at issue here is your propensity to dish out insults to those who happen to disagree with you. Similarly, you have a tendency to revert to personal insults to those who quite honestly and simply refute your assertions and statements of fact.
But it is your blog and if you want to be angry, with our without cause, that is your choice, and only know what is going on in your head. Or rather, you and Someone Else.
“Some of us do not think morality subjective”. Some of us are clearly wrong. The Chappies that chose to hijack aircraft and fly them into buildings clearly thought they were acting within their morality – how subjective was that?
Some of us think right and wrong can be differentiated” Of course yes, but only in the context of your own values. I think the chap whose teachings you puport to follow understood that.
I can’t remember Christ ever calling someone a “Selfish Git”, not even Levi.
And of course morals are subjective, ask a Jihadist his morals and compare to yours. Differing socities have different morals.
Saying tax is a moral issue is very interesting. It may be part of my morals to make sure that the destitute are looked after, but little taxes look after the homeless. Yet much is paid on welfare to those who want to provide nothing back to society.
It is not part of my morals to let my hard work og to supporting someones drink and drug money, rather to helping them stop them. If taxes agreed to my morals I would gladly pay them.
As for morals and christianity, morals do not get you into hevean, beleiving in Jesus is an intergral part, Richard
PS he’s an interesting article on Christanity and the taxman
http://www.religionnewsblog.com/21763/televangelist-kenneth-copeland-refuses-to-render-unto-taxman
If you think morality subjective then there is no morality.
The reality is that behavioural science shows monkeys can assess appropriate and inappropriate behaviour
That is the basis for morality
Those who deny this do so to facilitate abuse
I can rightly get angry about abuse
And I do
And I do not apologise for it
Nor did Christ when h overthrew tables in the Temple
The comments made by Alex and Alastair here are perverted: they do not and cannot accord with norms of human behaviour, norms well established and accepted
I have had enough of both using my blog to promote such perverted ideas. So they won’t be any more.
Which will have the merit of saving me a great deal of time
Riichard,
A friendly word.
People come on this blog with mainstream views which happen not to accord with your own and you heap abuse invective, call them liars and perverts. This is not normal behaviour.
A quick scan across the internet shows that you have previous on this and your behaviour is well documented.
Try to get some psychiatric help. It is clear you need it. I am sure a consultation with psychiatric services at your local NHS will do you a power of good.
All the best.
Alex
I have decided I do not want you propagating the idea there is no morality on this site
If you think that mainstream I pity you
The mainstream does not
Richard
Once you start denying the validity of any moral arguments, you are really on the road to ruin. This undermines the possibility of serious discussion on almost anything of importance.