There was an aspect to the Macron/Le Pen televised pre-election debate that I found interesting. Purchasing power (pouvoir d'achat) is a hot topic. Le Pen was advocating a reduction in VAT on petrol and other things that are rapidly getting more expensive, while Macron was touting for one-off payments to individuals in need. Macron's argument was that well-off people (like him and Le Pen, he said) don't need a VAT reduction, but poorer people do need help, so a single payment applies the help where it's most needed. (Unstated was the fact that people know who to be grateful to, when they get a free bung)
I'm with Le Pen on this one. Firstly, I don't like the government deciding who is "poor enough" and who is not. Secondly, I'm sure that people who earn just a bit more than the upper qualifying limit would really appreciate a cheque too, even if they don't need it quite so much. Thirdly, what happened to the égalité bit of the French slogan?
What I like least, however, is that the government can, in principle, decide what you are allowed to do with the money. There is already a "cheque energie" that goes towards winter fuel bills, and only winter fuel bills. Now a food voucher is also being considered, and on the news tonight, we are told that the government is considering using it to "encourage" people to eat more fruit and veg.
And so it starts.
2 comments:
Thing is, the govt has no money to give to anyone, it's the people's and business's money.
orrect, of course, James
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