It gives me great pleasure to announce the publication of my latest book, “The
Democracy Delusion: How to Restore True Democracy and Stop Being Duped.”
You need look no further than the increasing earnings differential
and widening wealth gap to see that the ethos of “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity” has
somehow been lost and that democracy is failing. With that failure we are in
danger of losing the gains of the past 200 plus years and, if things continue
along their current path, risk a second revolution. With the advances in
technology and our massively enhanced destructive capabilities, who knows what
price we would have to pay for that in terms of both devastation and loss of
life? Thus it seems obvious that we should take steps to avoid such extreme
outcomes.
We cannot do so, however, if we continue with our present forms of
governance.
If you doubt this stop for a moment to consider the fact think that
the shadow economy is estimated to cost European governments €2.1
trillion in lost taxes. (Source: “The shadow economy” CEO Magazine,
October 2013.) Think about it – €2.1 trillion! Imagine what could be done to alleviate
national debt and the hardship that austerity is bring to the people of Europe
if countries were generating the revenues they are actually owed! Yet,
this is prima facie evidence that our tax systems are not operating properly,
and, in “The Democracy Delusion” I explain why and how the progressive tax
systems have brought this about, creating nations of tax-dodgers.
If the tax foregone in Europe is €2.1 trillion you can hardly begin to imagine what the
global figure might be! Unfortunately, our governments have grown so big that
they need this revenue. Consequently they continue to search for new sources to
plug the gaps. And because citizens are the ultimate source of all government
revenue, it is we who are constantly being squeezed by new and increased taxes.
Now you may find the paradox amusing and argue that there is a kind of
poetic justice in the fact that it is the people who have created the shadow
economy by avoiding paying the “proper” taxes are seen as the source for
additional plunder. The problem is that if they have been avoiding it thus far,
they are not going to be willing to suddenly change their spots and meekly
start paying, now. Yet that is only the
start of a very vicious cycle, because the people who do end up paying are
those who cannot afford the sophisticated tax avoidance schemes. This exacerbates
the problem and means that the less well-to-do are actually subsidising the
wealthy! How long do you think this can last?
This is an issue that I not only highlight in this book, but for which I
also put forward some practical solutions. I cannot, however, change things on
my own. Nor do I have the profile to get the powers-that- be to listen (assuming for
a moment that they would be prepared to do so.) I am therefore asking you to
read the book and, if you like the ideas, to spread them as far and as wide as
you can, so that we can create a groundswell of reason that will make itself
heard and bring about the change that the world so desperately needs.
You can find out more about the book, and access the links to buy it, on my
new website www.bayjordan.com and I
encourage you to go there now to start the ball rolling. Please!