Dear Editor
Have you ever wondered how the wealthy made their money in the past?
Do you think most of today’s wealthy got it through inheritance?
Do you agree that wealth gives rights of power, privilege and decision-making?
Interesting questions, worthy of some research – but how deep?
We ll know about the appalling exploitation and working conditions of men, woman and children who worked in mills, factories, coal mines and on the land, making vast fortunes for the owners. This in itself begs the question: how did these people become owners in the first place? Owners who were also law-makers, magistrates and lords of the manor to whom everyone had to defer.
Today, a great part of land is still in private hands, although landowners derive massive wealth from leasing.
The wealthy industrialists have now moved their money, mostly into speculative financial stocks and bonds both nationally and internationally; they still hold positions of power beyond ‘one person one vote’ and weald great influence on all aspects of our lives.
Despite these positions of strength, tremendous struggles throughout history by men and women in groups, organisations and as individuals have taken place – and will no doubt continue to change society and make it work for the good of all.
A Scottish miner was carrying home a brace of pheasants when he met the landowner, who told him that he owns the land and the pheasants are his too.
“Your land, eh?” asks the miner.
“Yes, and my pheasants”, replies the laird.
“And who did you get the land from?”
“Well, I inherited it from my father”
“And who did he get it from?” the miner insists.
“His father, of course! The land has been in my family for over 400 years!” the laird splutters.
“Okay, so how did your family come to own this land 400 years ago?”
“Well – well – they fought for it!”
“Fine@, replies the miner. “Take off your jacket and I’ll fight you for it now!”
Tony Delahoy, Silverknowes Gardens
