The politics of fairness
George Osborne’s pre-emptive strike
The Conservatives battle Labour for ownership of the f-word
Aug 21st 2008
Wednesday May 23rd 2012
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This article correctly implies that it's difficult to use the word "fair" since it implies that someone is needed to arbitrate or judge what is right. What I would like to see the Economist do is constantly publish (summarize) it's principles and doctrines of the free market. I think that this magazine has lost some of the message it used to communicate a hundred years or so ago. Maybe the editorial board needs to do some soul searching!
It would be interesting to hear what the political parties think of the 'fairness' of the following items:
1. A marginal rate of 1% National Insurance Tax for high earners,
2. A marginal rate of 0% Council Tax for high valued properties (once banded at the highest band),
3. Tax relief at 40% for high earners, while only 20% for low earners (resulting in the first group gaining the lion's share of the relief),
4. A marginal effective tax rate of 30% on pensioners' income once around £22000 pa is reached (a dis-incentive for standard rate taxpayers if ever there was one!)...
I await replies with interest!