50+ years since that song was written and it was an age-old lament even then.
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Yes, I’ve always loved being lectured on avarice by multimillionaires.
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There’s also this one - found it a bit scary but they were never a favorite of mine so I might miss the context that would excuse the lament…
One, two, three, four
One, two (one, two, three, four)
Let me tell you how it will be
There’s one for you, nineteen for me
'Cause I’m the taxman
Yeah, I’m the taxman
Should five percent appear too small
Be thankful I don’t take it all
'Cause I’m the taxman
Yeah, I’m the taxman
I’ll tax the street
(If you try to sit, sit) I’ll tax your seat
(If you get too cold, cold) I’ll tax the heat
(If you take a walk, walk) I’ll tax your feet
(Taxman)
'Cause I’m the taxman
Yeah, I’m the taxman
Don’t ask me what I want it for
(Ah, ah, Mr. Wilson)
If you don’t want to pay some more
(Ah, ah, Mr. Heath)
'Cause I’m the taxman
Yeah, I’m the taxman
Now my advice for those who die (taxman)
Declare the pennies on your eyes (taxman)
'Cause I’m the taxman
Yeah, I’m the taxman
And you’re working for no one but me (taxman)
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George Harrison wrote it in the mid 60’s following Wilson’s election win and introduction of a super tax (of 95%?) on the highest earners.
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Surely the song was about the special contribution tax on income from investment as basic rate and surtax already existed and was very high at the time anyway.
The special contribution tax was introduced by the Atlee government after the war and I believe reintroduced for a period by the Wilson government.
I do hope people understand how taxes are implemented. For ease and to scare people who don’t Atlees’s effective rate was 147.5%, Wilson’s 136.25%.
I don’t know the basic rate or surtax for Wilson but Atlee’s accumulated rate was 97.5%. So I presume Wilson’s was 86.25% as the special contribution tax I believe was 50%.
Maria Corina Machado
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A call for democracy from the jury and tenacity, real diplomacy rather than force.
Will be interesting if these lines are kept next year.
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Absolutely incredible how many news sources haven’t a clue how the Nobel prize nomination mechanism works.
Wtf did Trump do in 2024 let alone the years before other than insult his political rivals and stir shit. How can anyone feel for that he deserves the Nobel peace prize?
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The spin can be strong…
- Prevented a nuclear war in the sub-continent
- Prevented nuclear conflict at the Korean peninsula
- Stopped the war between Armenia and Rwanda…
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I don’t know how many of you have the patience/interest, and the stomach to watch this. Be warned, these monsters are living in your countries now.
… and to clinch it visited Disneyland!
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Well I can dust off my old notes, if you ask nicely.. 
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I hate how the Peace Prize is being reported. There are lots of headlines about it being a shock, or that Trump was favourite to win, neither of which is true, and very little praise for the actual winner, who is a Latina democracy activist. You couldn’t get someone less like him.
The only reason people discuss him in this context is because he, like the spoilt brat he is, has decided that he wants the prize. We all know it’s just because Obama (wrongly in my opinion) is a former winner. Trump’s babyish behaviour should not be the story.
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He’s got history, of course, for kicking off when he doesn’t get what he wants.
So has the eight year old next door. Just ignore him.
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After reading an article on the Atlantic yesterday relating to US boat strikes without due legal processes and trials, I am somewhat surprised that she won the Peace Prize. The article quoted that Machado welcome military strike and incursion by the US, also for regime change (do not forget she led the opposition to the current autocracy government in Venezuela, which she will benefit greatly if that is the outcome).
Then again, it is only a snippet from an article, and I do not have the knowledge of Venezuela political situation, or the hardship suffered by the people.
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I think you’re being unjustly harsh on all 8 year olds.
He acts more like a 3 year old who kicks off even when they get what they want
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I’m surprised he lasted this long.
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While what he did is so depraved, selfish and unethical that it is maybe hard to muster empathy or sympathy; prisons should still be safe though.
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I feel sorry for the prison officers that will get it in the neck over this. They are tasked with protecting everyone, but it is difficult with very high profile inmates.
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