Writing - Government

 Government, from the Latin locution gubernare - which means steer a ship/vessel - describes the governing authority in charge of running a State. 

This definition is limited in its generality and yet all-encompassing. However, in the last 40 years, in many countries, it has come to mean protecting the economy, with the corollary that the duty of care to the general population has been diluted. 

Some countries are more aware of the needs of the general population, but unfortunately, the countries that are the drivers in world trends have adopted self-created fiscal rules that are designed to protect businesses and their operations. This, in its turn, has led to businesses focusing on profit before service. Hence, you have reported massive profits for firms running services when those services are failing to provide the support they are contracted to deliver. In the UK, the water companies are a case in point, but some parts of the NHS, Education, and many public services are also guilty of putting profit before people. 

The addition of tax regimes that governments need to raise money to fulfil their functions is equally devious. We work most of our lives and pay tax, we then buy 'things' and pay value added tax, we pay part of our wages in pension building, and then when we retire, we pay tax again on our pensions. All of this when millionaires and more avoid paying tax on their vast wealth. I read an unverified statistic stating that since the 1970's the income of millionaires has risen by over 1000% whereas the income of the average worker has risen only 24% over the same period. 

We often hear that businesses can't agree pay rises for their workers but the same is never said of the salary of CEOs. 

In my opinion, there is a groundswell of unrest that is changing the nature that electorates are voting. Is it possible that the mantra 'come the revolution' is coming closer to reality. 

God Bless