Socialists living under the oppression of capitalism should avoid paying taxes.

With many thanks to my opponent for taking up this debate, I should like to address the objections he raided in turn. 1) Many things get wrecked and broken in a revolution… Although I hope for a "Velvet Revolution", as free from violence as possible, my opponent is right, some things will be destroyed. Amongst them, the entrenched system of privileges accorded to the upper classes. 2) There are better ways of improving society… Under the current electoral system, no political party can win a general election without substantial financial contributions of businesses or high net worth individuals, and the support of the mass media. As high-rolling tycoons and international media moguls tend not to be socialists, it will not be possible to achieve our goals through the ballot box. 3) The supporters of this idea are inept… Most capitalist politicians adopt socialist principles in government, although they do not couch it in those terms, of course. Let's take two examples Firstly, the use of public funds to finance private banks and, secondly: agricultural subsidies. This is socialism except that the public makes the payments but take none of the profits. 4) Britain is already the world's fifth largest economy... I believe in socialism, not communism. Free enterprise can flourish in a socialist state. Only the key industries will be taken under public ownership. However, no government can allow key industries to collapse. Utilities that are currently in private ownership such as water, electricity, gas, railways and airports will be re-nationalised. 5) Too many people are already on the fiddle… But only the wealthy get away with it under capitalism. Consider a politician trying to raise election funds from high net-worth individuals. Do you think he is likely to get a fat check from a tax-fiddling tycoon by promising to crack down hard on tax evasion? Capitalists govern not for the benefit of society as a whole, but rather for their wealthy paymasters. That's the gap between rich and poor is getting ever wider. Under a socialist system, there will be a thorough review of existing tax legislation and all the loopholes that can be closed will be. This would only affect the wealthy, however, as most workers have taxes deducted at source by their employers. 6) History suggests that it will all turn to custard… A country where the landed gentry own over half the nation's wealth, and are getting ever richer at the expense of ordinary, hardworking families is already "custard". If their excess wealth was redistributed amongst the rest of the population, every man, woman and child would receive a cheque for US$$124.881.00. (1) So, a couple with two kids would be almost half a million dollars richer at a stroke - I don't think that would be too unpopular. I must take exception with my opponent's impression of socialism. The right-wing media always portray socialism as humourless, dull and oppressive, where the work-shy are supported by the state and freedom of expression is ruthlessly punished. This is not case. Enterprise, culture and entertainment would be encouraged while everybody that can work will have to work – that means both the benefit-scroungers and the idle rich. Naturally, the civil service will be retained to run the day-to-day affairs of state and the best political and economic minds would be drafted in to assist with strategic decisions, so there is no reason to suppose that the country could not be run efficiently. Furthermore, I would make the following commitment to the people of Britain. The People's Republic of Great Britain and Northern Ireland will remain a member of the European Union, NATO and the United Nations and all your human rights will be guaranteed. There would also be regular, free and fair elections with opposition parties being invited to participate without let or hindrance. Not that I'd expect them to be very successful. "There now follows an election broadcast on behalf of the Conservative Party: ‘Good evening. Do you remember that huge pile of cash you got after the revolution? Well vote Conservative and we'll take it all off you and give it to our posh friends so that they can sit around all day sipping champagne rather than go out to work like everybody else.'" Now is the time to put an end the tyranny of the privileged classes and, instead, strive to create a society where there is true equality of opportunity and where hard work and creativity is rewarded. This cannot be realised through parliamentary elections – it can only be achieved if the workers rise up and seize the levers of power. (1) http://www.statistics.gov.uk...