AIBU to be fed up with all the champagne socialists?

[winniemum]

Just come back from school pick up and the conversation turned to politics for obvious reasons!
My DC is in year 6 and going to high school next year. Many of his friends are going to the local grammar school. Fine, no problem with that we didn't put him in for the GS exams.
However so many of the mums were upset that Lib Dem/ Labour had done badly in the local elections, whilst driving to school in their 4 by 4's, having driven from their £750K + houses.
It's just the contradiction, they are not prepared to spread their wealth or support the Tory policy of Grammar schools and harp on about how they all voted Lib/labour.
When I asked one mum why she was sending her DC to Grammar school if she didn't agree with anything the Tory's stood for, I got, 'Oh that was one of our most difficult decisions, we thought very long and hard about that one, but you know....' No I still don't know as she couldn't explain why that was OK.

How do you know how they do or don't spread their wealth? YABVU

My friends include a director ofa household name company, owners of multi million pound houses and even, yes 4x4 drivers, and we are all Socialists.

Why do you think Socialists can't drive big cars? Really confused.

This has to be some sort of bullshit reverse!?!

The other schools are comprehensive schools, and they are funded in the same way as grammars. Obviously, their intake is skewed. But I used to teach in a comprehensive in a non grammar area with a similarly skewed prior attainment demographic.

I think you have confused the Daily Mail definition of hypocrisy with what it really means. They seem to think that if you are left leaning and want the world to be a kinder, fairer place you are a hypocrite if you do anything less than martyr yourself totally for the cause. I don't think it is hypocrisy to want to change a whole system but still make the best out of the options you are given. I think Westminster needs complete reform but I will still go and vote, I hate the US health system but wouldn't refuse treatment if I was on holiday there and needed it.

In fact, I think it is impressive when wealthy people like JK Rowling, Charlotte Church and Maxine Peake are very vocally left wing - it means they aren't just propping up their own interests - which is a good thing - the champagne socialist label is just to keep people in their place and discredit them.

Using grammar schools but wishing your area would do away with them is not hypocrisy unless you actively do something to keep the system in place (like vote Tory). Wishing everyone went to their local school is not the same as sending your child to the worst school on some sort of principal, what would that actually achieve? Perhaps, OP, you could think through the conversations in actual depth instead of thinking you have caught people out with "witty" one liners.

The one with the problem here is the judgey OP

they are not prepared to spread their wealth

Except that they are voting for parties who support higher taxation on the wealthy, so they obviously are a little bit prepared to spread their wealth.

I sometimes think the Tories can't win, whatever they propose. They are just 'the enemy', regardless. I hear so much about how 'wonderful' you are to vote Labour, as if this the only way you can be a caring human being. Really? Champagne Socialism is just the beginning of the hypocrisy. They have no realistic grasp of economics, no realistic ideas and no leadership. They just 'care' about you. Utter rubbish.

I guess I'm one of those awful Champagne Socialists.

I'm a Labour Party member who lives in a big house, drives a super expensive car (not a 4x4) and earns a six figure salary.

I'm always better off under a Tory govt.

But here's the thing....I don't mind paying taxes. I'd be happy to pay more.

I want the NHS to be properly funded.

I want state education to offer opportunities for every child regardless of their socioeconomic background.

I want a society where there is support for people on low incomes, disability and carers.

I want pensioners not to worry about turning on the heating in winter and living on jam sandwiches because they have no money.

I could vote Tory to my advantage of course, but as someone who reaped the benefits of a fantastic state education I'd like to see the next generation be able to do the same.

Being well off doesn't automatically make you a selfish bastard.

Er, if you use a grammar school while being against grammar schools you ARE actively doing something to keep it in place. The way to show your disdain and political purity would be not to use it.

Me too

User, I'm feeling very disappointed in you 😔

Being a socialist isn't about political purity. It's about wanting society to be fairer and more equal by actively working towards that end.

Why so, Moving? What level of argument does this need, and what is so difficult to understand?

Just to add I really liked Rats analogy of "not wanting to pull the ladder up behind me".

I was hoping for coherent but I'll settle for considered.

You carry on then Moving, actively working towards socialism by doing non-socialist things.

Where is the incoherence?

Wasn't intending to wind anyone up, but the point I wanted to make was I find it hypocritical when people say they don't want the grammar school system but use it themselves. In our area the high schools are fabulous so there isn't an argument for using the GS system.
In an ideal world the high earners do pay more taxes, it's not always the case though. As friend says she has a very good accountant so she's not spreading her wealth.

Like what? What am i doing that's anti-socialist?

Come on, prove you're not just some Tory bot by enegageing with the posts. I dare you

You do know that an accountant has to stay within the law right? So if your friend is not paying enough tax it's the law that is at fault or the mechanisms for enforcing the law if the legislation is sufficient.

Who creates the laws? The government.

Who elects the government? Notionally it's the people by voting for an MP.

User if you want to be goady and think anyone will take any real notice then at least change your username.

I'm probably what you mean by a "champagne socialist"

We are better off under the tories (at least financially), but I firmly believe we should judge society on how the most vulnerable members are treated rather than how well off the richest are. I have no objection to paying more tax.

And my dd goes to the local school and will do through her education, fortunately no grammar in this area, as I believe in a choice between state and private but not a 2 tier state school system.

It's not hypocritical to live in a big house / drive a bigger car ( I don't btw) and still want a society which works for all, not just the rich.

I'm more of a vodka socialist myself.

EatShit I like you

Thanks Just

User isn't a real poster. It's a bot.