Citizens are not just consumers
April 14, 2011, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
DEAR editor,
I found a recent article, "The great tax debate and runaway inflation" (Ed: by Xinhua news agency, published in Shanghai Daily April 8) of interest; it reminded me much of similar debates here within the US.
With your permission, I would like to offer a cautionary perspective on one aspect of your article. You frequently used the word "consumer" or "taxpayer" rather than the more inclusive "citizen," although I note you also used that word.
Why is this of any concern? In my country over the last 30 years, the once rather widespread use of "citizen" has almost disappeared. Instead, the words "consumer" and "taxpayer" are substituted. They are NOT at all the same thing, no matter in which country we find ourselves.
"Citizen" is inclusive and involves both rights and responsibilities (which powerful elites often wish us to forget).
"Taxpayer" is one of the responsibilities of being a citizen, but there are many in the US, for instance, whose economic circumstances do not allow them to pay taxes.
The repeated use of "taxpayer" effectively denigrates them to a lower position, a class that "taxpayers" are free to ignore.
"Consumer" has always reminded me of a trough of pigs - humans as consumptive devices. I recognize that "citizens" do purchase things, necessities and luxuries among them. But the term is personally offensive to me and, more importantly, again shrinks the more noble term of "citizen" to a minor, functionary role.
These comments are not intended at all to offend you; if they have that effect, I sincerely apologize. Thank all of you for your fine work in a great newspaper, which I enjoy reading daily.
I found a recent article, "The great tax debate and runaway inflation" (Ed: by Xinhua news agency, published in Shanghai Daily April 8) of interest; it reminded me much of similar debates here within the US.
With your permission, I would like to offer a cautionary perspective on one aspect of your article. You frequently used the word "consumer" or "taxpayer" rather than the more inclusive "citizen," although I note you also used that word.
Why is this of any concern? In my country over the last 30 years, the once rather widespread use of "citizen" has almost disappeared. Instead, the words "consumer" and "taxpayer" are substituted. They are NOT at all the same thing, no matter in which country we find ourselves.
"Citizen" is inclusive and involves both rights and responsibilities (which powerful elites often wish us to forget).
"Taxpayer" is one of the responsibilities of being a citizen, but there are many in the US, for instance, whose economic circumstances do not allow them to pay taxes.
The repeated use of "taxpayer" effectively denigrates them to a lower position, a class that "taxpayers" are free to ignore.
"Consumer" has always reminded me of a trough of pigs - humans as consumptive devices. I recognize that "citizens" do purchase things, necessities and luxuries among them. But the term is personally offensive to me and, more importantly, again shrinks the more noble term of "citizen" to a minor, functionary role.
These comments are not intended at all to offend you; if they have that effect, I sincerely apologize. Thank all of you for your fine work in a great newspaper, which I enjoy reading daily.
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