By Sara Forrest, Commission Member
Like many behavioural approaches to any situation there are a range of options varying from Win/Win where both parties get what they need and maybe some of their ‘would like to get’ or Win/Lose where one person or organisation dominates and get what they need and most of what they want and the other gets very little.
It appears from the media that most politicians and big businesses are operating on a Win/Lose approach helped by the power they hold. Yet when you look at what happens at a local community level you see many people operating on a Win/Win basis.
As Christians we believe that each of us has a unique dignity and that we should respect each other and use our God given talents to create a better world. Only a Win/Win approach embodies this.
Understanding that there is a difference between what we actually need and what we want if fundamental to Win/Win. I have had several periods of unemployment and luckily always managed to reduce my monthly budget to cover housing, heating, water, Council Tax, transport, broadband and food plus presents for family members at Christmas and birthdays. Holidays and clothing were classed as a want rather than a need. Getting a new job enabled wider spending on new clothes and wants.
However as an SVP member I am aware that many unemployed people cannot even cover those basic costs, hence the rise of Food banks and Pantries. Local services like charity shops, Pay as You Feel cafes, Baby banks etc are examples of people volunteering their time to improve the lives of those around them.
Like any household we as a Country need to balance our books, the cost of our borrowing, and other countries', is rising due to international economic uncertainty and war. So there has been much discussion at Party Conferences about cutting the welfare budget.
As a Christian it is my duty to be prepared to pay more tax to alleviate the hardship of those who rely on charities every month to stay sheltered, warm and fed. It is the Government's duty to manage the systems effectively and in a fair and just manner.
I also recognise that parents are subsidising the provision of ‘free’ nursery places through paying higher costs and others are subsidising the cost of Care at home and Care Home care through increased charges to fill state funding gaps.
I see these as indirect taxes so I never believe any politician's promises about ’No Tax Rises’.
In a just and Christian society those who can afford non essentials should expect to pay sufficient direct taxes to help those who are struggling to meet their basic needs.
Imagine a society where all children attend school in warm winter coats with full bellies and return to a warm and secure home every night.
Be cynical about political spending promises that can’t be met and wary of those who demonise the poorest people in your neighbourhood and want you to believe that cutting the welfare (and foreign aid) bill is a viable solution to our spending challenges.
