Wednesday, August 25

Pensioners' Surrender

London, 25th August 2035       Caving in to pressure, British pensioners have accepted demands for a massive handover of their wealth to the younger generation.  In a landmark referendum, in which all able-bodied over-65s were required to cast their vote, 78% voted to accept the demands of the Movement for Inter-Generational Justice for a windfall tax.  This will see all accumulated wealth over and above £50,000 held by this age-group incurring a levy of 50%, and any wealth over and above £250,000 being taxed at 80%.

The referendum was the culmination of eight months of heated debate, in which moral responsibility was pitted against personal interest, and which emanated from more than two years of civil unrest. 

This generation, born prior to1970, had enjoyed the privilege of inherited benefits from the responsible savings culture of the generation above them, together with the free-credit culture of the late 20th century.  Many had also enjoyed free loan-free university education.  Meanwhile, property prices during the second half of the 20th century rose so much that even those who borrowed money to purchase property were made rich from their investment. 

Fears that, as they logged in to place their vote, the moral imperative to 'hand back' their wealth to the next generation would be outweighed by the loss of wealth they would face if they clicked the 'yes' box, proved to be unfounded.

It is hoped that, with this correction now to take place, the haranguing of pensioners, the attacks on old people's homes, the spate of 'accidental deaths' of old people at the hands of their grandchildren, and the calls for compulsory euthanasia for non-productive elderly will subside.  

Who knows, maybe we will see grandparents once again walking freely in the streets, side-by-side with their grandchildren?