REGARDING the comments made by me to Mr Downes's last letter, I am rather alarmed that he finds my comments on the subject of free holidays provided by the taxpayer as cause for amusement.
Presumably, as an astute businessman, he is quite glad to pay extra taxation in respect of this supposed entitlement.
Well, I'm glad he is not employing me! He refers to two million families under stress. What about the taxpayers under stress?
Where does the £400 to pay for a holiday come from, I might ask?
How do we encourage independence and self discipline if we foster a culture of profligacy?
In my generation, we were encouraged to save for a rainy day. Nowadays there seems to be little incentive to do likewise.
I spent four years without work in Scotland many years ago and it was no joke, until I moved to London in search of pastures new.
The welfare state is surely designed to act as a safety net, not to provide luxuries.
How far do we extend the tentacles of this welfare state? Does Mr Downes realise that already many of the attractions in London, are free to all, irrespective of income?
Is he also aware that sporting events are free to young people up to the ages of 18 years, some of which are attended in school term, I might add, which begs the question as to how much time the kids of today actually spend in school!
When I grew up, money was not always available for luxuries, butwe did not go "cap in hand" to the local council expecting a free holiday.
Times can be hard and I am aware of the hardships endured existing on benefits, I did so for around four years myself.
However, I managed at all times to avoid debt, pay bills, including TV licence, and certainly did not starve.
Regarding the £140,000 Bentley Mr Downes refers to, I believe some footballers can earn this sum in a week, or even more in some cases!
I do not necessarily condone this expenditure but merely draw an analogy.
I would end by making a quotation: "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."
Personally, unlike Mr Downes, I am grateful in respect the £50 which K&C has offered.
I Walker Dalgarno Gardens
North Kensington
