A terrific comments stream on council housing subsidies over at Mr. Worstall's. It started as an article on the capping of housing benefit paid, but commenter 'Kate' from Islington induced a fascinating conversation on whether her right to live in council housing close to her family in Islington was being subsidised by the taxpayer.
Go check it out. It's a remarkably interesting and enlightening illustration of how people simply won't acknowledge that they benefit from others' taxes, even when it's staring them in the face. An example quote from Kate:
No, I KNOW (not THINK) that council rents are NOT subsidised by the tax payer. No matter what ridiculous spin you try to put on it.
Tim - sorry about the thread hijacking...
Kate: at the margins, given the very low income at which 20% income tax starts, you are arguing that a family with a single earner on minimum wage should subsidise people like you living close to your family so you can have free child care. I realise it’s not obvious, and not what you are asking for out loud, but it’s the natural consequence.
ReplyDeleteGood try.
Shame it didn't register.
I was hoping it was merely ignorance on her part, but as time went on I couldn't help but incline more towards "wilful stupidity".
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