Wasting money doesn't help

SGE1

nickmason wrote: »

In the absence of a suitable definition of "good books", can I suggest that they were a damned site better than those inherited in 1979.... and likely to be a damned site better than those handed over by Brown?

Either way, surely you cannot compare as there is no such thing now as like for like? The context in '79 and '97 were different, and things will be different again in 09-10, whenever the next election takes place. It's virtually impossible to compare the state of handovers, all things being equal - there are too many new variables that have to be taken into account.

SGE1

Oh and I'd gladly pay a bit more tax for the Scots. It's cold up there, they need it more than I do. And the thought of being a tiny nation of English bigots who throw their fists about at everyone isn't an attractive scenario, so I'd rather keep the Scots in to be honest.

cocktail

shaven-monkey wrote: »

You may take my chips, but you'll never take my Freeeeeeeedommmmm!

whats that??

chris_spackman

Cleaver wrote: »

It's like Richard Littlejohn but with even less of a point than normal.

My point is where our money is wasted thus less of it in our pockets and where things need to be cleared up for our benefit as i am sure you would agree that councils could save us money. I feel that might be the case when you get your Council tax 'bill' for 2009 and the top dog at your council writes ' we have tried to keep the increase as low as possible' and when you hear an MP spending £700 on a telly from OUR tax money.

nickmason

SGE1 wrote: »

Either way, surely you cannot compare as there is no such thing now as like for like? The context in '79 and '97 were different, and things will be different again in 09-10, whenever the next election takes place. It's virtually impossible to compare the state of handovers, all things being equal - there are too many new variables that have to be taken into account.

The context was very different - in '79 and '09/10 it was/will have been a labour government that had brought the country to its knees. in '97 the Conservatives had built a golden legacy.;)

Okay - so you're not going to buy that, I guess.

And you're right, you can't compare easily, inasmuch as there's no universal measure that everyone will agree to be the valid metric. So it's a political question, and they never seem to get answered; and a historical question, which can never be repeated/tested.

I look forward to someone redressing my economic perspective to make me change my mind that the '97 economic legacy was better (because if they do, then they've conquered my prejudices and have "improved" me). I don't think it's going to happen.

Typically in this situation I seek a middle ground; that the NHS is probably better, the economy worse; etc, etc. But more often than not I still can't get consensus. So I guess we're just going to have to disagree.

So the UK in '79 was a disaster by any measure. And in '97 it was a golden legacy. And the Tories are going to have pick up the mess again in '09/10. 'Twas ever thus.

chris_spackman

lynnexxxo wrote: »

Are we not entitled to health services or schools? Do Scottish people not pay their taxes too?

On a person by person basis Northern Ireland gets a lot more money that Scotland.

I am in NO WAY anti Irish Scottish or Welsh, i am anti money wastage by councils and Government

my point was that in England we do not get the full allowence per person for health and education, i feel this should be stopped and we all get the same but that is a different topic in a different thread so my focus is on the way in which OUR money is wasted so i would like to stick with that.

Norfolk_Jim

The Vat cut is just a sneaky way to boost it up to 20% when its over - the excuse will be recoup the discount, but like income tax, it'll stay that way forever

Cleaver

chris_spackman wrote: »

My point is where our money is wasted thus less of it in our pockets and where things need to be cleared up for our benefit as i am sure you would agree that councils could save us money. I feel that might be the case when you get your Council tax 'bill' for 2009 and the top dog at your council writes ' we have tried to keep the increase as low as possible' and when you hear an MP spending £700 on a telly from OUR tax money.

Actually, I couldn't care less. I think we have pretty fair taxes in this country, we have pretty honest people in public office (compared to the rest of the world) and for what we pay we get pretty decent schools, healthcare and protection in the way of police, fire, etc. I'm also quite pleased that a lot of tax goes to help people less fortunate than others in life. Sure, the system ain't perfect, but nor is any system.

It surprises me to say it, but I really don't care about MPs spending £700 on a tv. I have no idea why I don't care, but it simply doesn't bother me in the slightest.

MPD

Norfolk_Jim wrote: »

The Vat cut is just a sneaky way to boost it up to 20% when its over - the excuse will be recoup the discount, but like income tax, it'll stay that way forever

Yeah and I'm still waiting for it to drop back to 15% (permanently) after it was previously raised to subsidise the poll tax to the tune of £140 per person per year.

Mozette

nickmason wrote: »

In the absence of a suitable definition of "good books"

Christopher Brookmyre's are fantastic! What a great author.;)