Are we an uncaring nation?

Not at all - we are far too caring a nation. the problem is that the Government expects us to pay so much in taxes that the ordinary citizen can't be blamed for abdicating his/her personal responsibilities to the state. This is precisely why David Cameron's "Big Society" is a non starter - we aren't left with enough of our own disposable income to make a difference.. The Government can't reasonably screw us for every last penny we possess and then expect us to contribute to worthwhile causes. The fact is that if the Government thought those causes were worthwhile the Government should be financing them and not expecting hard pressed taxpayers to cough up even more money when they are already struggling to make ends meet.