Does charity begin at home?

bridiej

Pmsl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :d

Former_MSE_Andrea

Below are the results to our previous poll. Thanks to the 1211 participants who took part in this poll.

Previous Poll Topic: Last week was Comic Relief. It has a massive impact, but real change to permanently improve the lives of the starving is only possible via concerted Govt action. Would you be willing to be taxed more to help the starving in Africa? Be honest. Remember this means a long term cut in the cash you receive every month.

a. No. We're already overtaxed 41.1% - (498 Votes)
b. No. We need to focus our charity on the problems at home 27.9% - (338 Votes)
c. Yes. 1p rise in income tax 19.4% - (236 Votes)
d. Yes. 3p rise in income tax 6.5% - (79 Votes)
e. Yes. 10p rise in income tax 4.8% - (59 Votes)

Total Votes: 1211

IvanOpinion

MSE_Andrea wrote:

e. Yes. 10p rise in income tax 4.8% - (59 Votes)

Somebody should ban the unemployed from participating in votes like this

Come on own up, who asked for a 10p hike in taxes .. should be banned from this board for going against every principle of money saving I know :eek:

There are 59 of you that meet one of the following
- suffering from sever short sightedness that did not allow you to read the question properly
- do not pay income tax
- have more money than they know what to do with (i.e. earn the same as :money: )

You know who you are, I am willing to collect all 59 names and forward them to the Chancellor as people willing to give up an extra 10p of every £ of their income (taxes, benefits, DLA or whatever).

Ivan

The_Nickster

IvanOpinion wrote:

You know who you are, I am willing to collect all 59 names and forward them to the Chancellor as people willing to give up an extra 10p of every £ of their income (taxes, benefits, DLA or whatever).

Ivan

I missed the vote but shame on you money savers. The results do not surprise me considering the way the questions were phrased. Its results like these that only confirm how little we all deserve from life.

Murphy_The_Cat

Does charity begin at home - don't know

Should it begin at home - Yes

For the 59 souls who feel that we should all pay an extra 10p in the £ income tax to help save the world - can i suggest that you go to your local tax office and make arrangements for your extra volountary payments.

It is a little known (and very rarely used) function of the tax office to take in tax overpayments from taxpayers who wish to pay more than they actually owe !

I personally feel that the 59 voters in the poll probably meant other people (boo, hiss, nasty rich people) should have more of there hard earned money taken off them, but of course they would be exempt.

So, if any of the 59 have given up an extra 10% of there wages, let's be hearing from you, otherwise its hypocrisy from each and every one of you.

MTC

The_Nickster

Murphy_The_Cat wrote:

Should it begin at home - Yes

I have to disagree. This is a rich country and no-one should have to rely on charity. In my view those who are unable to fend for themselves should get help from the state. Those unlucky enough to live in areas of the world that regularly suffer from natural disasters should receive help from developed countries - it is no coincidence that developed/rich countries of the world are situated in areas of the world relatively free from natural disasters.

Murphy_The_Cat wrote:

I personally feel that the 59 voters in the poll probably meant other people (boo, hiss, nasty rich people) should have more of there hard earned money taken off them, but of course they would be exempt.

So, if any of the 59 have given up an extra 10% of there wages, let's be hearing from you, otherwise its hypocrisy from each and every one of you.

MTC

Although I feel an additional ten per cent income tax for all is excessive I do not feel that a 50% higher tax rate on those earning over £50,000 or £100,000 a year is excessive. Although I only work part time now because of disabilty and a degree of ill health and do not wish to sound 'holier than thou' during the 25 odd years I worked full time in a relatively high paid job I never complained (hypocritically or otherwise) about income tax rates.

Murphy_The_Cat

Hi Nickster

lets agree to disagree on this one as i fell we could both go around the houses for quite a while !:beer:

My preferred method of helping other people in other countries is basically via 'trade not aid' which i support by buying fairtrade products whenever possible.

MTC

p.s why do you feel it is fair that higher paid people who are already paying tax at a 50% higher rate (plus NI)than regular taxpayers need to pay more?

Blimey, i've just worked it out !!! That would have a higher paid person paying over HALF OF THERE WEEKLY earnings to Phony Tony and the Robber Baron next door. What a tremendous incentive to improve oneself, i don't think!:rolleyes:

SnowyOwl_2

I do a bit of voluntary work for a little known charity which helps mothers to be in developing countries survive their pregnancies and childbirth. The current project is in Ethiopia where the charity is providing volunteer UK professionals to go there to train local staff on the methods and knowledge of western medicine. The charity is also looking at setting up projects for locals to raise money, eg by making items to export to the UK to sell, so that funds are available to buy medicine, equipment etc. Overall while the charity is doing something it is a very small intervention in a huge problem...about 1 in 7 pregnancies end in the death of the mother thanks to the lack of very basic medicines, equipment, and knowledge, or lack of transport to hospital.

However when I tell people about the charity and outline the basic fact that so many women die because of complications the reaction is sometimes along the line of "Why bother, there are too many of them anyway", "They should introduce contraception first" or "Charity begins at home, there are homeless people here, why don't you do something for them".

The ignorance, prejudice and contempt I have encountered is incredible. These are real and actual people who are as entitled to their lives as we are.

While I think that throwing money and giving handouts is the least likely way to bring about a sustainable solution, I don't think that withholding money while people suffer is acceptable either. If we give we can never be totally sure what that money has achieved, but if we choose to give nothing and do nothing then we can be assured that nothing will be achieved because of us.

There exists the facility to "Give As You Earn" - if you choose, money can be deducted from your salary and directed to your choice of charity. And in fact if you do this you don't get taxed more (along the lines of the original question) but your gift benefits from gift aid and so the charity receives more. Maybe participating in this should be compulsory?

showers_2

Once met a Solicitor who was leaving his job to work for a well known world-wide charity, because as he said, he got more money working for the charity. After learning how much of donated money goes into Administration of the Charity, I no longer give as it was obviously going in to the wrong ''pockets''.

StarX_2

Hi,
I strongly believe that governments(and other institutions, such UN) should take action for improving the living standards in developing countries. However, in the meanwhile, I think people should be become conscious customers, Co-operative Bank rather than Barclays (becauseinvest our money in ARMS), No Coca-cola(which is killing Trade Unionists in Colombia). For more info there is a book "The Good Shopping Guide"(around £12). Thanks.