Universal Benefits?

There has been a lot written and spoken about the removal of child benefits for those families who have someone paying the higher level of tax. There are many who oppose it on economic grounds. There are some who oppose it on the grounds of fairness. Still others oppose it because it will be their benefit removed.

I am not an economist and I have no children so I can't oppose it on any of those grounds. I oppose the cut in benefits, not because the families necessarily need the money, or that anyone has a right to this money, but because of what it appears to say about the values of our society. Having universal child benefits, like universal winter heating allowance, demonstrates that our society values people as being the most important asset that makes up our society. Universal child benefit says that, regardless of whether the child comes from a rich family or a poor family, each child is of equal value and that society should invest in them. This move signals the end to that. It shows that economics and money are of greater worth. I don't deny that savings have to be made - and where ever the savings come from people will be unhappy. However, we should not sell out on our principles and values just to save money. Children are the future of this country - we must invest in them. Just as the older generation have served us well and deserve to be warm this winter. People must always come before money.