There's always one.

I'd be happy to pay more tax

One of the biggest names in British business has told the government not to scrap the new 50p rate of income tax.
The former head of Marks and Spencer, Sir Stuart Rose has not only said he opposes the move but is happy to pay more tax to help the country out of its current financial difficulties.

I see a man on a publicity quest. If you want to pay more tax then by all means write a cheque to the Inland Revenue. Championing punitive tax rates that hurt business and move assets abroad is not the way.

How would I explain to my secretary that I am getting less tax on my income, which is palpably bigger than hers, when hers is now going down?'

If you explained that to her then you would be an idiot. How does an idiot become the head of a large company like Marks and Spencers?

Why not explain to her how her job was created, how punitive tax rates harm business and send money and investments abroad. How about explaining the Laffer curve?

Rose is not alone in calling for the rich to pay more taxes, with several high-profile names adding their weight to the debate.
Billionaire investor Warren Buffet urged Congress in August to raise taxes for millionaires, arguing they have survived the financial crisis better than those poorest in society.

They have also paid a lot more tax than the poorest in society. In America, the top 5% of earners pay 50% of the income tax take. The wealthiest 1% earn 19% of the income but pay 37% of the tax.

It's all very well saying you are willing to pay more tax to help the country if you want to get in the Daily Mail, but if you really do want to help the country, more tax is not the answer. Giving the government more money only encourages them to waste more. It's the waste that has to stop.

I could go on for pages about high public sector salaries, foreign wars, the EU, etc, but you're already aware of where the money goes.

The government are addicted to spending our hard earned cash. Why give them more? If this country really is going to pull itself out of the toilet, the waste needs to stop, not be encouraged.