Some thoughts on what we want and need, then a recommendation to UK readers to donate their fuel rebate this winter.
First, please go with me on a thought which may at first seem tangential which begins with a simple definition of communism:
a system of social organization in which all property is owned by the community and each person contributes and receives according to their ability and needs.
Over time my political views have become more and more left-wing. In fact, I’d say that I’m edging towards being a “half-communist”. What do I mean?:
- To the first part of the definition above, whilst I believe that some businesses should be state-owned, I also believe in what John Mackey calls “Conscious Capitalism”, hence why my client work is predominantly with puropse-led leaders of companies. I’m an entrepreneur and believe in business as a force for good. So, I’m, not a believer in “all property is owned by the community”.
- However, as to the second part, as time goes by I am more and more a believer in “each person contributes and receives according to their ability and needs”. The fact that I am able to earn far more money than 90%+ of the population is due to a combination of ability, hard work and, yes, privilege of different sorts. Do I need to retain all of those financial benefits though? No, I don’t.
Despite the frequent demonisation of the word communism, few would argue with the idea of a fairer and more caring society such as one illustrated by the concept of “each person contributes and receives according to their ability and needs.”
So, moving onto the fuel rebate as an example of how we can choose to take this to play a small part in supporting fairness in society. The UK has introduced a subsidy of a total of £400 per household to help with utility bills over this winter, with the first of six monthly payments made this month.
A key element is that this is NOT means-tested, it goes to every household, irrespective of income and wealth. Nice though it is to see that deduction from my monthly bill, I don’t need that support, I can afford to pay my bills.
When this was announced, I tweeted out to several utility companies the idea of #DonateTheRebate, encouraging them to give customers an option to redirect the government subsidy to charities. While the idea was welcomed, nothing ultimately happened with it, so it is up to each individual to take the initiative to choose to donate to your charity of choice. Rather than suggest a list, for UK readers I suggest googling “Fuel Poverty Charity” and then picking one that will directly donate your funds to those in need.
#DonateTheRebate