How to Get Filthy Rich - documentary on Channel 4

MissMarple

A great documentary by economist, millionaire and equality campaigner Gary Stevenson about the cost of living crisis and the growing inequality between the wealthiest in our society and the rest of us. While most political parties seem to focus on finding ways to cut welfare to make small savings in government spending, here's the alternative: a wealth tax on the super rich. In the documentary, Gary is interviewing billionaires, rich land-owners, influencers, as well as ordinary people unable to afford basic housing. It's worth a watch.

https://www.channel4.com/programmes/how-to-get-filthy-rich-with-gary-stevenson

Holly_Alumni

Well, I clicked on this hoping for some magic recipe for winning the lottery and I'm disappointed 😂 Just kidding, sounds like a really interesting watch.

Rosie_Scope

Thanks for sharing @MissMarple, I'm looking forward to watching this when I get a chance.

I've seen Gary Stevenson talking through his ideas on podcasts and things and it's always really interesting. I'm not going to pretend I'm particularly economically informed in any way as that sort of thing isn't my strong point. So I don't know if what he's proposing would work realistically, but he definitely makes you think about whether there's another way to do things.

MissMarple

Well, @Holly_Scope he did give the sound advice of "be born rich" 😀 That's one way to go about it.

There have been various ways of implementing wealth taxes in different countries @Rosie_Scope It's an uphill battle as the wealthy have the resources to find creative ways to outsmart legislation. My understanding is that Gary Stevenson's wealth tax suggestion of 2% over £10 million is just an example of what could be done. What he calls for is governments setting up a panel of economic experts to work out the details of a possible tax reform.

I forgot to say about the documentary that it features a dog whose role in the discussion I can not reveal due to spoilers. But he definitely added something substantial to the argument… 😀

SheffieldMan1976

Well in some ways I was born Rich (my Parents Christened me with the name Richard! Boom Boom!)

rubin16

I've never wanted to be rich, and don't envy rich people. Money leads to greed and is un-human and pretty much the sole reason we have evil in the world. I've never been one for wanting anything, never wanted to get presents or gifts. I pretty much wear the same clothes and never buy new things.

MissMarple

The idea is to tax their assets which they can't move @SwiftFox E.g. UK land, houses etc. The individual can leave the country, but they can't take the building with them. They will have to sell it or pay tax.

SheffieldMan1976

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1137955#Comment_1137955

There are more people claiming disability benefits, OK yeah I understand the controversy that some of them are on the fiddle, they'd rather claim benefits than get a job, which gives those of us who ARE genuinely disabled a bad name because people of a certain Political persuasion think "Oh them disabled, they're all the same! Workshy slaves to the benefit system", I've been called that and worse both online and to my face in the past.

vikingqueen

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1137947#Comment_1137947

I'm with you on this. I've had money over the years, quite a lot compared to a lot of people, it didn't buy me good health which is the only thing I wish it would. I've never wanted a lot of anything, as I have everything I need and there's nothing I want.

MissMarple

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1137955#Comment_1137955

I find it disturbing when people promote "cutting welfare" as if it was something desirable or morally superior. Why on earth do we have governments if not to try and increase the overall welfare of the population? Education, healthcare and, yes, providing a safety net for people in financial hardship is part of that.

To get into details re your comment: 37% of Universal Credit recipients are in employment. They just don't earn enough to get by without additional help. Instead of corporations paying a living wage, the state tops up the wages, basically subsidising the companies. The same companies that make huge profits and pay little to no tax. Those on Universal Credit who don't work are either actively looking for a job or are too ill to work. These are the rules already. You can't just be on Universal Credit for ages for no reason whatsoever.

PIP has got some bad press lately too, the media fabricating hate against the "work-shy", despite PIP's got nothing to do with work. Its purpose is to help disabled people to cover additional costs like carers, taxi etc.

Amberpearl

I recorded it

Not seen it yet

Amberpearl