The wealthiest 1% of American taxpayers received an average federal tax break of over $51,700 in 2006. Meanwhile, households in the middle 20% received just $668 on average. Inequality is growing on both sides of the Atlantic.
There are those professing to be Epicureans who say, "It’s none of my business – – I ‘m just content in my own little world", and others who believe that inequality and the creation of a new monied aristocracy is unhealthy and will run counter to Epicurean desire for peace of mind and enjoyment of life. I maintain that thoughtful people would want poor people to have decent homes, jobs and access to healthcare. That way you cut down crime and social disruption. Just common sense, one would have thought. Alas, there are many, including some extreme christians, who believe in the law of the jungle. And the jungle they will surely get.
But then the writer is British, brought up in a more gentle environment, where the establishment once genuinely wanted to do its best for all the people.
It seems that the old constituency for social justice (not socialistic equality, but just a pragmatic recognition that it is in everyone’s interest that the poor should start off on a level playing field), is languishing everywhere, not the least in Britain, where a so-called “Labour” government has been busily shoveling money into the hands of the rich and has done zilch for the poor. Excuse me, I correct that – – it has tried to ban foxhunting. Mmmh!