| 09 September 2007
Why is it that trade unions, especially European ones, seem to be stuck in
a 19th century economic time-warp?
This week saw flat-earther ETUC (the European Trade Union Confederation) claim
that flat taxes 'put welfare systems under strain, increase poverty and do not
not bring about higher rates of investment'.
These assertions are demonstrably false, so we have to look elsewhere for an
explanation of the attachment of trades unions to high taxes.
It would be understandable, even if wrong-headed, if a trade union was against
allowing a neighbouring country to become more competitive, since that might
threaten the jobs of its own members; but it goes beyond that. ETUC actually
wants taxes to be higher in all countries.
How can that be good for individual trades unionists? It might (temporarily)
be good for the unemployed, the sick and the retired, some of whom, at least,
will have been trades unionists. But if I, as a journalist, pay my dues to my
union, I am expecting them to be spent in my interest, not to help the population
at large to work less.
It seems that ETUC comes perilously close to Marxism in its ideas. Given that
the EU's founding fathers in their unwisdom gave ETUC a lead role in the 'social
contract' as it is played out in Brussels, that worries me. Instead of fiddling
with their silly 'constitution', isn't it time that the EU's leaders got to
grips with the antediluvian Backward Tendency eating at the community's vitals
while its expensively shod foot soldiers spend taxpayers' money noshing beer
and frittes in Brussels eateries?
You have been reading an entry on the following blog:
Jeremy Hetherington-Gore Unleashed
Jeremy tackles the difficult issues head on!
Contact: jeremy@lowtax.net
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