Quote of the Day

"Making the rich poorer does not make the poor richer, but it does make the state stronger—and it does increase the power of officials and politicians, power more menacing, more permanent and less useful than market power within the rule of law. Inequality of income can only be eliminated at the cost of freedom. The pursuit of income equality will turn this country into a totalitarian slum."

(Sir Keith Joseph, Stranded on the Middle Ground? Reflections on Circumstances and Policies, published Centre for Policy Studies, 1976).

Comments

Jim said…
Briliant. It's so much nicer when i can agree on this 100%
9:12 am
Chris Whiteside said…
Indeed. The lat Sir Keith Joseph was a very unusual individual, and sometimes a bit otherworldly, but he was never stupid, and some of his insights were very powerful. I thought this quote was one of them.
2:39 am
Jim said…
Not sure if you have seen it but the BBC have done a good show, I saw it last week and the final part was on last night.

It was called "We all pay your benefits" basically 8 people, 4 taxpayers and 4 benefit claiments. Last week the tax payers spend a day with the claiments, and were amazed at the equipment and the shopping habbits of the claiments, buying better than the workers could afford, parts of it you could see the rage (Especially from a carer who does 60hrs per week) Last night the claiments were working with the workers for 2 days. 2 of them done ok, and are coming round to a work ethic, 1 of them only lasted a day and decided it was too early start next day so did not go, another spent the whole time saying what he can and cant do, due to his sore back.

Anyway was a great programme and well worth a looky on the i-player
9:11 am
Chris Whiteside said…
I shall have to have a look in iPlayer
8:42 pm
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