This petition,
https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/promoted/tax-the-super-rich-to-stop-cuts-to-public-services-1?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=blast99084
, made me wonder why the government doesn't just make the super rich pay higher taxes instead of picking on the most vulnerable.
The super rich have more money than they can spend, they're not going to miss the money that they pay on higher taxes, it wont make any difference to their lives. Whereas picking on the most vulnerable will have devastating consequences, they find it very hard to be able to afford to live as it is. How is this fair?
I asked ChatGPT and it said this:
'It mostly comes down to political priorities, economic ideology, and the influence of wealth in policymaking.
- Political Interests & Donors – Many of the wealthiest individuals and corporations have close ties to politicians, directly or indirectly influencing policy through donations, lobbying, and media ownership. Governments that favor low taxes on the rich often argue that high taxes would drive wealth and investment out of the country.
- Trickle-Down Economics – Conservative and right-leaning governments often subscribe to the belief that lower taxes on the rich encourage investment, job creation, and economic growth. This theory has been widely debunked, but it remains a core justification for not raising taxes on the wealthy.
- Austerity & Cost-Cutting – Rather than raising taxes on the rich, the government often opts for spending cuts, which disproportionately affect those who rely on public services and benefits. This is usually framed as "reducing welfare dependency" or "ensuring fairness for taxpayers," despite the fact that many tax-avoiding corporations and the ultra-wealthy contribute far less proportionally than regular workers.
- Public Perception & Media Influence – Much of the UK media is owned by billionaires who push narratives against wealth taxes and in favor of cutting benefits, painting claimants as "scroungers" or "workshy." This shifts public anger away from economic inequality and toward the most vulnerable, making benefit cuts politically easier to justify.
- The Complexity of Taxing the Super-Rich – While the government could introduce higher taxes on the super-rich, these individuals often have the resources to exploit loopholes, offshore tax havens, and financial structures that make it difficult to tax them effectively. Governments unwilling to take on tax avoidance at its root end up letting the richest off the hook.
Ultimately, it's not about what’s fair or logical—it’s about power, priorities, and who benefits from government decisions.'
I'm not sure how right it is, what do you guys think?