Sir Roger Scruton on phony, cost-free compassion

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True dat. 

A reminder to all compassionistas:  if particular causes tug at your heart-strings, you can give some of your money to relevant charities. And if you want the state to have more money at its disposal to spend on your pet causes (and I've never met a compassionista who thinks tax rates should be reduced), you are fully entitled to pay the Inland Revenue more than you are legally obliged to. Hope this helps.