It's clear that the countries finances are in a mess..
Due in my view, largely to irresponsible bankers across the world who have been to ready to lead money to those that relied on favourable conditions.
The current thinking, which seems to go unchallenged, is that we need to cut spending which means cutting much needed services, leads to unemployment and misery for some many people most of them poor.
Why is it that the alternative approach is never talked about:
That we can't raise more revenue?
ie Tax those that can afford it
I believe its because the political parties nearly all favour those with money and are afraid to tax them.
As long as I can buy Mangetout and many other luxury items in the Supermarkets, I believe we have an unfair system of taxation.
There are plenty of people that are not being affected unduly by government measures and I'm one of them. Until I start feeling hardship I believe I'm being unfairly treated - too well.
I therefore support those that rebel in many ways at what is happening at the moment - in some cases they are making their point. Until we hear that rich and the moderately well off are feeling the pinch as much as those suffering extreme hardship I know the system is wrong - typical of a Tory Government that takes care of its own kind.
What do you think?
5 comments:
There is a saying ' there is more money wasted than there is spent ' and this applies to local government. What annoys me is when cuts are made it's always at the sharp end i.e.public toilets closed or school crossing patrols withdrawn. You never hear them say we will cut head office costs or chief officers salaries or car allowances . I wouldn't mind paying a bit more council tax if it was spent in Ulverston .not on new office curtains in Kendal.
Clegg's relationship counsellor, Roy Hobbs, said: "Like many people who've rushed into a partnership without really thinking it through, the one-year anniversary is like a cold shower of horrifying realisation. Getting his arse handed to him last week can't have helped, either.
"Nick's currently feeling that all the early romance has gone and a lifetime of humiliation, neglect and being called a twat by Paddy Ashdown is all that lies ahead.
"He can't go back to his party and say he made a mistake. All he does is look at photos of Gordon Brown mouthing the words 'I'm so sorry'."
You're right A.R.
There is definitely a place for cuts but perhaps the civil servants have a strangle hold on work practices which the politicians over time have allowed to happen.
The example that I am familiar with is the cobbles.
None of our politicians - Town,District or County - could get the Cumbria County Highways to do what the councillors wanted: repair the holes.
The civil 'servants' headed by Nick Raymond totally ignored requests from councillors. The underlying message was "Mind you bloody business, we are in charge and we'll provide a 'service' if we feel like it."
There are too many examples of the tail wagging the dog.
We elect our councillors to take charge of the running of the various local government offices but they have allowed the 'servants' to become powerful masters.
I will start to become convinced that cuts are happening in the right places when I read that the top executives of both county and district have had their rediculous salaries cut by at least 50% if not more.
Salaries of over £100,000 are obscene when they are at the same time recommending cuts in important front line services and avoiding doing their jobs well.
Our toilets are being closed because these same executives can't run an organisation that maintains a single toilet for less than £300 per week. It's not the toilet that should be closed to save money but the executive that allows such high costs and the councillors that continue to allow the councils to run at such high expense.
Councillor James Airey, this applies to you. You and your wife have worked hard to become councillors for both Town, District and County Councils.
This comes across as power seeking gone mad.
How can one family possibly do all these jobs and run their own business.
I've seen your pathetic performance, along with Colin Hodgson, in SDLC cabinet over the Ulverston Car Park charges - Stockbrige Lane Car Park in particular.
Recently, James, it took you three weeks (when previously in had been three days) to meet with me when you had promised to do so and when you finally came, it was a rushed affair fitted in at the last minute.
Other councillors who see you in action comment that you are power mad but ineffectual.
I see you as the best of a bad bunch.
It's time, James, for you bite the bullet and make a stand for economies in local government in the right places. You've got yourself into a position of power: start doing your job well and stop pleading that you can't do anything about spending excesses.
Other councillors like Tom Harvey of Grange can show a real fighting spirit for their area. You can lead our shambolic lot of councillors to do the same.
Colin is sound "Walk one mile in his shoes then criticize
Team up for us
Sir of Sensibility.
Jak
Come on Col,Phil team up drop yuor pride
Uverston.
I do admire some of Geoff's truths You are both honorable men.
Yours ayr.
Jack Kelly
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