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新年度的財政預算案大灑金錢。我粗略算算﹕光算個人入息稅率的降低、退稅與退差餉,總有十萬元收益吧。還有取消酒稅,這是更大的禮物。
但我慚愧,甚至憤怒!
身為中產階級,我是屬于受益最大的一群。但社會上的中下層呢?小貓三四隻出來批評綜緩金額太低,但聲音很快被中產階級的掌聲蓋過了。
君不見,「港大民調顯示,財政司長曾俊華發表財政預算案後,市民對特區政府的信任度由去年12月的51%,急升15個百分點,達66%。至於不信任度則由15%跌至5%。」(3月5日明報專訊)。
這66%的信任度會為明年的選舉帶來多少張選票?
這是我憤怒的原因。
民主選舉的本質,我們從最近的財政預算案可以看得一清二楚。
經濟的好與壞,低層市民分到的好處往往差別不大,政府不會特別討好他們。
大老板的資金無祖國,他們在香港賺不了大錢大可以轉戰他國。中產階級往往跑不動,所以經濟的一好一壞對他們影響最大。
此所以民主選舉的遊戲,最主要是贏得中產階級的票。說得難聽一點是要「賄賂」他們。大老板當然也不會介意。
我們的所謂「民主」,本質不過如此。
我們的法律,不也是這民主選舉遊戲選出來的議員極力維護的嗎?這法律的本質是:「私有財產」是最最神聖不可侵犯的。
當然,法律面前,人人平等,但對底層的市民我們唯有說「對不起」,因為他們沒有多少財產可以保護。
去他媽的民主法治!
我想起我聽過最吵的英國 Punk樂隊 The Clash。他們1977年唱Sonny Curtis的作品 I Fought the Law,這是多憤怒但無奈的悲歌!現在我每聽此曲,總在想﹕陳良宇與李嘉誠之間,誰更壞?
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3NBVpGQAsI
Lyrics: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/c/clash/i+fought+the+law_20031691.html
Breakin rocks in the hot sun
I fought the law and the law won (twice)
I needed money cause I had none
I fought the law and the law won (twice)
I left my baby and it feels so bad
Guess my race is run
Shes the best girl that I ever had
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the
Robbin people with a six-gun
I fought the law and the law won (twice)
I lost my girl and I lost my fun
I fought the law and the law won (twice)
I left my baby and it feels so bad
Guess my race is run
Shes the best girl that I ever had
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the
I fought the law and the law won (7 times)
I fought the law and the
謝謝分享!
How much the lower socioeconomic group should be treated ( in terms of financial assistance in a way or another) is a collective decision of the society effectively or ineffectively conveyed via the government body it elects. Our government is not 'effectively' elected by the society, and the majority of the society may ( or may not ) wish to 'pamper' the lower socioeconomic group by dishing out resources. Like you said, if the middle class is the majority, chances are they 'may not' want to dish out resources.
Do you think 'minimal wages' act can do good to our society?
If we can provide public housing / reasonable minimal wages that guarantee EVERY working citizen reasonable wages and chances to pursue meaning in our lives without being abused ( our average working hours and wages in HK is an act of abuse in many ways)….. we may be living in one of the greatest and prosperous time in our history. When I joined a skiing tour group from HK, some of the skiers live in public housing estates. Not bad for a society like Hong Kong.
From that point of view, I am grateful, I am not angry.
[版主回覆06/28/2009 17:40:00]I'm not sure I share your optimism, but it would be fun voting for or against granting everyone a free skiing trip. At least this is more sensible than the issues debated in the Legco these days!