Resentment at 100k

[Arseholeneighbours]

Theres a lot of vitriol spilt towards people being “high earners” at 100k and over. As net contributors, and most likely having made sacrifices, stresses and difficult life decisions, there’s many judgements about life choices , expectations and living within one’s means. What is the motivation to push forward in a career and to try and be as successful as one can if there’s no personal gain? It’s all well and good saying those with the broadest shoulders should take on the most - but to what end?

I understand what you were saying.

Strong state plus strong individual action would be the ideal.

But humans are humans and politics is politics so we will all carry on arguing between the two and achieving less than we could!

CrazyGoatLady

I'm a higher earner - not quite 100k high, but I would consider my salary higher end - and I don't whine about paying tax. The sacrifices I've made to have a well paid senior management role are no better or more praiseworthy than the sacrifices low earners make to put food on the table and provide for their families.

I don’t think higher earners are looking for praise, I think they’re looking not to be told they’re privileged all the time, and I’m a low earner!

@Arseholeneighbours It’s all well and good saying those with the broadest shoulders should take on the most -

"Rachel from customer service" has stopped saying that. Now she says that we all "have to pay a bit more".
So much for promising not to tax working people..

Or we could reduce the state and empower more people to use their potential rather than bumping along the bottom.

I don't mind paying tax, we paid around £70k between us last year and DH has no personal allowance as he earns too much. I'm also pro the two child limit being lifted as I was a FSM kid so I know what's it's like to grow up in a house with no money - I don't want that for any child.

I do mind not being able to gets a drs appt, the CAMHS wait time being beyond ridiculous, no NHS dentists, schools being shit and I could go on. If that doesn't improve in this parliament I'll be asking questions.

As net contributors, and most likely having made sacrifices, stresses and difficult life decisions, there’s many judgements about life choices , expectations and living within one’s mean
Thousands of us on far less have made sacrifices, have plenty of stresses and have made difficult life decisions. The arrogance that only higher earners are intelligent and focused in this way is exactly what pisses people off.

Oh I don't know.

It was Churchill that coined the term " From the cradle to the grave" after all. Although he was against the NHS.

Things were pretty grim in the UK before the social safety net came about.

That nasty old Beveridge report.

Just imagine how Great the UK could be today if not for that.

Easy enough to look that up on the web. Countries ranked by social welfare and that sort of thing.

Rachel has realised those with broad shoulders are finding the golden beaches of Australia more appealing than the constant battering here.

Broad golden shoulders are not to be sniffed at perhaps they can live in peace.

Do you really and truly believe that all of these tax hikes are actually going to improve public services?

Do you actually believe that?

It's actually really easy! But you are happy, so enjoy your good position earning a high wage in a job you enjoy.

Thank you. I will, and I’ll make sure to never voice any frustrations ever again

Thanks for illustrating my point about continuing to argue

This.

Lower paid workers still have stress and sacrifice in their jobs too!

This is a really annoying statement from higher earners- I deserve it because my job is hard. So is mine and it pays under 30k!

Also I don't agree with the fiscal drag or more tax. The government needs to spend less! I just wish people who earn a lot would stop saying they work harder and sacrifice more than poorer people, they dont.

Not once have I mentioned intelligence as a factor. I’m aware people work hard in all sectors, however it would be ridiculous to overlook the responsibility that comes between a minimum wage job and a job that earns over 100k

Yes, they have choices. Choices of a lower mortgage, renting if they wish, a paid off house in retirement, not being called into the jobcentre for weekly meetings as your income has dipped as you're on paternity leave, having savings... Secure tenancies are extremely rare and not offered to people earning 33k and UC stops if you save more then 16k which is nowhere near enough for a deposit to buy in most areas. Buy a cheaper house and live within your means like everyone else has to!

I imagine most of us posting here are going to work. We already have busy, fulfilling lives and don’t need the avalanche of negativity radiating from this government - that seem hell bent on self harm. I understand exactly OP’s point.

No doubt those not willing to work are not even contributing to the discussion as they are still sleeping. With 723,000 job vacancies more people should be working that’s for sure. As a minimum it would improve the mental health of the nation. Most people don’t mind supporting those genuinely in need and completely disabled. It’s the lazy and feckless we have an issue with.

I've never thought like this, not when I was 18 on minimum wage and not now I'm top 10%. When I hear people say this it makes me think they have come to their situation from luck and generational wealth much more than hard work, because it shows such a lack of self awareness.

You opened with this: What is the motivation to push forward in a career and to try and be as successful as one can if there’s no personal gain?

In the thread you've clarified you've got a high salary in a job you enjoy and you are happy.

If good pay, an enjoyable job and a happy life are not enough motivation in life, that is an individual's problem, not a political issue.

@Blizzardofleaves Most people don’t mind supporting those genuinely in need and completely disabled. It’s the lazy and feckless we have an issue with.

This ^ x 1000

This doesn’t make sense to me because the money to make sure that children aren’t living in poverty is coming directly from people who are working. If our government really has such little money it’s borrowing extortionate amounts at high rates then I don’t see why you can’t see that we shouldn’t be discentivising working to earn more money for the sake of it - because the extra you earn will be taxed more and used for amongst many other things welfare. If people aren’t incentivised then where will the money come from?

its a shame we’ve become so divided we can’t put ourselves in each others shoes. The OP has mentioned 4,000 a month childcare bills. Can you see how that’s prohibitive and contrary to your previous post about those earning more than £100,000 mismanaging their money so badly they feel poor - I think this is the bit that’s hard - although we have both already acknowledged it’s temporary- it’s still tough. Life feels tough for everyone at the moment - I’m sure the woman who there’s been several posts about who gains >£3,000 in UC feels like life is tough too. I don’t see why we can’t express that even if we’re all in different positions.

Because I would like to further myself but the sacrifices required for the next level would not be financially worth it?

We need to come down hard on the feckless. It’s been a free ride for way too long, we are literally enabling people to squander their lives away with no purpose or direction. No hope or empowerment. Effectively they remain like dependent children latched on to the state nipple. It’s deeply unhealthy.

There are a lot of threads from people on decent salaries 'resentful' or 'jealous ' of people on UC. It's bizarre. Sell your home, move into rented and give up your job, possessions, pension fund, claim benefits and live the dream then @Arseholeneighbours .

I personally wouldn't want to live on benefits and don't resent those that do. It doesn't sound much fun to me!

I’m not resentful of benefits or support, I’m resentful of the 100k cliff edge for parents

In a healthy country you would be supported to take your career as far as you can. That’s the difference. Here you are currently incentivised to do the exact opposite.

A race to the very bottom.