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- Written by: Kamran Mofid
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Will he make taxation fairer and more efficient and just by introducing a single tax?
N.B. I have posted this writeup as a response to an inspiring article about an open letter by a number of senior economists to Andy Burnham pleading with him that upon becoming prime minister he should aim to make taxation in Britain fairer, more efficient and just. They are calling for a single levy to replace six key taxes to raise money for public services and to encourage a more inclusive economic growth, to “unlock the gridlock that plagues the country”.
In short, the main aim of this writeup is firstly to highlight the important points raised in the said open letter. Then, to offer a time-honoured possible alternative available to the new prime minister by recalling a few gems on this subject from our GCGI. INFO archive.
Tax, tax and more taxes! Taxes on everything. Taxes even on living and dying! So many taxes that are even driving the sane to madness!
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- Written by: Kamran Mofid
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Original image by Royal Court of Iran.
In September 1990 my book ‘The Economic Consequences of the Gulf War’ was published by Routledge. In this book, I clearly and soundly debunked the myth of rapid rises in military expenditures and the buildup of fancy/expensive military hardware as the passport to power and security.
Driven by soaring petrodollars following the 1973 oil crisis, the Shah rapidly escalated Iran's military spending. The defense budget increased more than tenfold over the decade. This massive military buildup became a primary catalyst for the 1979 revolution, severely destabilising the Iranian economy and the regime, fueling widespread public outrage, and raising revolutionary fervor.
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- Written by: Kamran Mofid
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Militarisation is a lie and deceptive illusion and it cheats the masses
Photo credit: Blakiston’s
Lying to Ourselves is the Cardinal Sin and the Ultimate Act of Self Harm
Trust is Foundational to What it Means to be Human
To prioritise the military over human well-being is a crime against people everywhere.
Unlike the untrustworthy and self-centered political leaders (here today, gone tomorrow), the common men and women of this country with high moral compass, know that true security is defined not just by borders, but by access to healthcare, education, efficient and fairly priced public transport, affordable housing, clean and safe drinking water and clean air to breathe, as well as reverence for Mother Earth, in the recognition that we are deeply interconnected with the planet that sustains us, to name but a few.
They also know that security flourishes when there is a sense of economic justice and fairness, not when their governments lead an economic policy of socialism for the 1% and capitalism for the rest. Moreover, they also know that it is an act of folly and a clear sign of amorality to drastically increase military expenditure when the UK’s families are getting poorer, with record numbers of people classed as in “very deep poverty”—meaning their annual household incomes fail to cover the cost of food, energy bills and clothing, and more—and when many of the country’s future leaders, today’s children, are lonely, anxious, depressed, isolated, hungry, neglected, and at risk.
- My heartfelt plea to our 7th prime minister since the Brexit Referendum
- 10 years on since the Brexit Referendum: Time is Now for Truth
- My Poem of the Month: June is the Month of Summer Solstice, Dreams, Love, Romance and Marriage
- Ode to Gardens: “In Paradise a garden lies”
- What would make the world a better place to live, thrive and prosper?