Justice Matters: The cost of living crisis

Once again, as with the pandemic, it appears we may all be in the same storm but not in the same boat!  There have been many responses to the crisis. Some show the disconnection between those in the strong boats and those in dinghies – advice includes to work more hours, get a better job, or learn how to cook.  The problem, so it goes, can be solved by better budgeting ability or wiser choices – but is this true? 

See:     There is another argument, that the cost of living crisis can’t only be located within individual responsibility but must also be set within the economic system that exists.  Oxfam has recently released a report called Profiting from Pain which says “Billionaires’ fortunes have not increased because they are now smarter or working harder. Workers are working harder, for less pay and in worse conditions. The super-rich have rigged the system with impunity for decades…. They have seized a shocking amount of the world’s wealth as a result of privatization and monopolies, gutting regulation and workers’ rights while stashing their cash in tax havens — all with the complicity of governments.” There are millionaires who agree with Oxfam. “The unlikely protesters, who describe themselves as “patriotic millionaires”, called on world leaders … to immediately introduce fresh taxes on the wealthy in order to tackle the 'cost of living scandal playing out in multiple nations around the world.' ”

Reflect:     Pope Francis notes that the tax collector is often regarded with suspicion and contempt. He says that, done well, tax is “a sign of legality and justice. It must favour the redistribution of wealth, ensuring the dignity of the poorest who run the risk of always ending up crushed by the powerful.” Pope Francis asks us to “work so that the culture of the common good grows and…so that the universal destination of goods is taken seriously.” The reference to the universal destination of goods is a principle of Catholic social teaching and  in “Fratelli Tutti” Francis states “The right to private property is always accompanied by the primary and prior principle of the subordination of all private property to the universal destination of the earth’s goods, and thus the right of all to their use.” (123)

Act:  Read about Church Action for Tax Justice. In February 2022 they launched their Good Measure campaign, calling on the UK Government to introduce an initial one-off wealth tax on the country’s richest 1%. They are also asking for a review of the UK’s system of personal taxes.  They are asking people to join the call for reform of the tax system so that it becomes a genuine re-distributive tool acting to reduce inequality. Click on the picture above to watch the video. 

Tricia Kaminski