Consumer revenge
June 21, 2012 Leave a comment
I have only seen a couple of live comedians and so am unlikely to contribute to Jimmy Carr’s tax evasion scheme. But I usually do use my consumer powers, albeit limited, to show my disapproval of whomever and whatever has crossed a line.
Jimmy Carr may have now apologised, but I still will avoid him. I may not have purchased theatre tickets to see him, but I occasionally see him on TV – or rather did. My pathetic little protest may not alter much in the grand scheme of things, but it is something I can do, and so can you.
“But he has apologised” I can imagine some intoning. Yes, he has, and I am glad he has. But a signal has to be sent, because there are a reported 1,100 selfish and greedy rich people doing what he did. The average amount of tax avoided is £152,727 – a sum beyond the earning potential of all but a mere 1% of the population. And this is just the tax they would have paid. Mr Carr reputedly shelters £3.3 million a year through the K2 scheme – or did until he was rumbled.
My consumer protest has seen me shun Barclays, Shell, Nestle, to name but three in the past. If the free market is so great then I am determined to use my bit of it to make a better world. A better world is a world not dominated by the greed of the already over-rewarded. Rich beyond avarice does not exist for some, who despite riches still are avaricious.
So, Mr Carr, you may be frightfully sorry, but not as sorry as the poor suckers who helped fund your wealth mountain.
