The British financial weekly The Business reports that according to the latest figures the overall marginal tax rate for Britain's top earners has been pushed up to a whopping 57.1 per cent.

In Britain taxes, budget and fiscal policies are the responsibility of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the American equivalent of Treasury Secretary but with much greater powers. This post is currently held by Gordon Brown, a well—known leftist and heir apparent to Tony Blair. Brown has been very impatient to get his hands on the prime ministerial job and Labour's leftwing — which is in many ways bitterly disappointed with Blair — is impatient for his ascent.

Once Brown is PM, Britain is certain to move leftward. This will not only further worsen its domestic woes, but will also likely introduce new strains into our trans—Atlantic alliance.

Vasko Kohlmayer   3 15 06