We work for UNICEF or have retired from
UNICEF after a life of hard work in distant countries. Perhaps we suffered in
headquarters. We earned our living.
We are getting a generous UN salary or UN pension. Are we voting for the parties that will tax the rich and limit the maximum speed on the motorways? Are we voting green or for the best of the bad bunch?
We may donate a little bit of money, at
Christmas or Eid or other holy days.
We are privileged. We may work for nothing,
but nor for very long. We would not work for twice the minimum wage. Few of us volunteer
for the poor.
Do you agree that the billionaires should
pay up instead of flying into outer space? Do you agree that the top 1 percent
earners should be highly taxed to help the rest of the world to catch up?
Most of us belong to the top 10 percent in
terms of net-income, in the countries we live. You might even belong in
the top 1 or 2 percent of your country. But before starting a debate on
everyone’s exact circumstances, check out how rich you are: click here.
If you are not convinced, read this somewhat
dated but very good article: https://foreignpolicy.com/2012/02/27/were-all-the-1-percent/
Undisputedly, we belong to the top 1
percent, globally. Especially in terms of income purchasing power.
We are united in our rage against the
billionaires - but where exactly is the threshold that separates the Good from
Evil?
Don’t get me wrong. Like you, I am not
giving away half of my pension-income to charities. You and I know that
donations will reduce suffering, but change very little. So what are we going
to give up for world peace, justice and equity? Or are we done with changing
the world?
Taxing the obscenely rich to help a western
middle class that is merely very rich doesn’t seem to do the trick.
What are we doing to support change?
Thanks Detlef for your always incisive comments and the questions that you pose to us. Whether it is 1% or 5%, we are by virtue of our education, work, networks etc well off but that in itself is not the issue. I think at the personal level, how we support equity in our societies or even when we were posted for UNICEF is important. While charity certainly has its limits, reaching is also important as acts of human solidarity. The other element is the level of engagement retirees have with their political systems as advocate of people friendly policies and practices is important. Given the way that globalization has impacted economies and gutted social safety nets and the fact that the UNSDGs are now global should be a driver of engagement. We know that within the U.N itself, there are issues around representation and norms. Climate change is the other huge black swan. So, even in retirement so much to do to contribute to a world fit for all ( species). Perhaps more billionaires can be like Gates and Buffet, but its a pious hope.
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