The Guardian`s editorial on the living wage stated that it is
an "optional add-on for employers who can be embarrassed or inspired to pay
fairly". Surely the fact that Miliband has to
offer tax breaks to encourage employers to do so proves how over-optimistic your
view is; domestic and international news increasingly emphasise the
disappearance of responsible capitalism, with mis-selling, manipulation and tax
avoidance seemingly the order of the day.So many examples exist of companies
seeking profits above all else, with little care for their workers and
customers, and no thoughts whatsoever of improving the economy of this country,
or indeed, increasing the taxes paid into the Treasury.
Even making the payment of a living wage
compulsory by law is insufficient; company bosses will compensate by either
increasing prices to the consumers, extending the number of zero-hours
contracts for their workforce, and employing more students, or increasing
the use of tax havens, or clever accountants, in their efforts to
reduce corporate tax payments.Will workers paid a living wage be better off if
their un-regulated landlords increase their un-capped rents, as many will
undoubtedly do? Just because the majority of us recognise that "there is such a
thing as a threshold of decency", does not mean it can be achieved in this era
of selfish irresponsibility. Miliband would do better to promise a government of
responsible socialism!
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