AIBU to think if you're a net negative in tax you shouldn't be able to vote?

[SBGM247]

Trigger warning: strong political views / rant incoming. A shrinking group is expected to fund an expanding system. The system increasingly penalises work while rewarding dependency.

AIBU to think the modern state is a parasite, and that only those who are a net positive in taxes should be able to vote, rather than forcing working people to support an ever-growing dependent class?

Currently ~21% of working-age adults are economically inactive, meaning not working and not actively seeking work (according to a research brief from the House of Commons). Democracy is broken if voters can vote themselves benefits paid for by others. Representation should be weighted toward those with demonstrable responsibility and contribution.

Currently, the state is extractive and hollowing out the middle class. As anyone that has the eyes to see and ears to hear will know, dependency is rising and and demographics are changing at a rate not seen outside of wartime.

To address this simply, I think if you’re on benefits you should lose the right to vote until you’re a net positive. That would restore equilibrium.

This is essentially Chesterton’s test of a society.

"An honest man falls in love with an honest woman. He wishes, therefore, to marry her, to be the father of her children, to secure her and himself. All systems of government should be tested by whether he can do this.

If any system, feudal, servile, or barbaric, does in fact give him enough land, work, or security that he can do it, there is the essence of liberty and justice.

If any system, Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat, Green, Reform, or technocratic, does in fact give him wages so low and conditions so insecure that he cannot do it, there is the essence of tyranny and shame."

If the state could stop turning people into dependents that working people have to pay for, that would be great. The state is bloated, fixated on wealth redistribution rather than wealth creation, and actively working against the people it is meant to represent. It is incapable of creating the conditions for wealth, stability, and independence. This is managed decline, and we need some adults in the room who have read a book. AIBU?

This is evidently what he meant by "only here for the lolz". Sad little man.

I'm not upset actually, but I'm angry. It isn't the same thing at all.

I have no reason to be "upset". You haven't insulted me personally. Within your dystopian hierarchy, I would be absolutely fine because I'm lucky enough (and yes, it really is luck) to be in a position to contribute more in tax than I take out.

But I am angered by your glib throwaway comments, your smug belief in your own inherent superiority and the incredibly ignorant, callous way in which you so readily dismiss others as not being worthy without giving a shit about the hurt that you might be causing to people who may be vulnerable.

I don't expect you to take this on board because it doesn't appear that the capacity for reflection, self awareness or compassion for others are really part of your repertoire. But if there is any part of you that is actually human, perhaps just stop and think about the fact that this thread might not have been "fun" for everyone reading it.

Just be a better person. You'll be so much happier for it.

I have to go to bed now, because I have to work tomorrow at my job that isn't of enough merit for me to vote.

I just want to end with this final thought. Votes aren't just about who gets what and who pays what. If a government with an aggressive foreign policy is voted in, which results in the kind of war which sees bombs dropped on these shores, I am just as likely to die as any net contributor. I think that might just give me an equal right to a say in who runs this country. A gentle reminder that, in the highly unlikely event of a WW2 style draft, those who some think shouldn't be allowed to vote would still be expected to fight. As they were WW1.

We all live here. Who the government is affects all of us.

There are many ways to contribute to society other than through taxation - creative people and geniuses of all types often don't earn large sums of money. Van Gogh and Manet sold few or no paintings in their lifetime. Rembrandt was buried in a pauper's grave. Religious people often devote their lives to the sick and the poor. So no voting rites for people who devote their lives to service of others?
OP is so very pleased with himself,but I think the laugh is on him... 😆

We've edged up to 21% now. That's almost 140 brave souls in agreement with me.

You have admitted you are trolling, and this thread is "for fun".
That looks like 140 dumb fucks to me.

Lordy, don't think I've ever seen a thread on Mumsnet with under 700 posts, 200 of which were posted by the OP.

I like to be courteous and reply to people who engage. Thanks for taking part.

22% and 669 votes.

It's hardly brave to click a button and add an entirely anonymous vote is it.

I want to know what job where you pay 55% tax lets you sit on a chat board all day.

55% my arse. I smell Incel round here.

What do you do?

OT is a temporary code. What are you trying to tell us?
As I said, the laugh is on you, OP

Ha ha ha. I’m retired on a teachers pension. And on pip!

Paid tax since the age of 15. Still paying it now.

0T isn't just a temp code. 0T means no personal allowance applied.

I'm not interested in what the OP does. He could tell us anything "for the lolz" anyway. It wouldn't affect how unpleasant and callous his posts are.

675 have voted. 21% agree with me.

So?

And short on brain.

Could someone with an education think like this? I never taught anyone who did. Maybe a few around the edges. And not from the brightest ever.

Whilst I don't take the OPs position I don't think they have shown any less empathy than the 'screw anyone who earns more than 40k or lives in a big house' brigade.

This country is short on empathy and personal responsibly but positively overdosing on jealousy and entitlement.

Your ignorance of society and how people behave is astounding, this sounds like something a teenager would say (who has very little knowledge of the world, and indeed also lacks empathy due to their still developing brains).

Wasn't there a guy that done this in 30s/40s Europe.
Op is at it or bonkers.

Apologies for the ad hominem, but the sadness of seeing this many people (the yanbu voters that is), fail to appreciate what democracy actually means/is, made me too weary to even bother trying to argue about it on this thread.

I’m sure someone has already posted this but just in case :)

It's an ignorant hypothetical that isn't going to happen.
Like you I CBA arguing ..I'm oot o here.👍