RE: so Brits - what to spend your tenner on? (Full Version)

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RealityLicks -> RE: so Brits - what to spend your tenner on? (11/26/2008 11:40:22 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: susie
I have never smoked in my life and hardly drink so I can't say I contribute much in the way of duty. I am however, currently costing the NHS a fortune in treatment first for skin cancer (I don't sit in the sun either) then for the resultant brain tumour. Regular treatment, therapy and scans all costing the NHS a pretty penny. Should I start drinking and smoking to contribute my measly duty to the coffers? 


Of course not, because that would be very silly, wouldn't it?  It would also completely invert the meaning of my post.  I support high duty on cigs and booze because it makes it harder for kids to start the one or overuse the other and it hopefully also discourages the less well-off, who have fewer resources available when they fall ill.

It's sad that you are ill but I don't see a connection between your illness and those associated with smoking and drinking.  Much less with the fact that 40% of visitors to A&E are drunk (70% at night) and increasingly likely to assault staff. 

Getting back to tax, as increasing duty on alcohol and tobacco helps the NHS so greatly and is now lowering the overall tax burden, I'm not sure why you are so opposed to it.  It may only be of limited benefit but I haven't spotted anything actually harmful about it.  Perhaps you have?



colouredin -> RE: so Brits - what to spend your tenner on? (11/26/2008 11:44:28 AM)

I agree i smoke and drink they should have higher tax to shut up the people who say that i dont deserve nhs treatment because i do these things, unfortunatly that doesnt work people want us to be taxed more to pay for the treatment than bitch when we get it,



RealityLicks -> RE: so Brits - what to spend your tenner on? (11/26/2008 11:57:14 AM)

I'm not sure I understand your point.  Are you suggesting that a five year old, who obviously hasn't paid any NI, does not "deserve" hospital treatment?  As I outlined previously, that is certainly not my position on taxation - ie, its not a strict quid pro quo arrangement and it's naive to think otherwise.  I drink myself and smoke, occasionally, but public policy is about the good of all, not one's own insecurities, isn't it?



colouredin -> RE: so Brits - what to spend your tenner on? (11/26/2008 12:00:54 PM)

no that wasnt my point, everyone in britian should have access to the NHS, my point was some people moan that people wo drink and smoke get treatment despite the fact that they pay a lot more duty, my point is that i wish people would stop complaining all the time. When we were turfed out of bars i was fine with that, but now everyone stands outside my local waving their hands in front of their faces because the smoke annoys them, i thought the point was they could stay inside and not have second hand smoke rather than go outside where the smokers have been relegated and bitch about it being smokey out there.



Aneirin -> RE: so Brits - what to spend your tenner on? (11/26/2008 12:16:33 PM)

A very true observation Colouredin, I also have noticed this, not only do the non smokers come outside, but they come outside to suck up the diesel fumes from dirty belching buses along with the smoker.

Is anyone aware that diesel fumes are actually a known carcinogen ?

Maybe it is that those who aquire  lung related problems and believe it is due to smokers , actually have the problems because of diesel fumes, the likes of which are everywhere, if you can smell diesel fumes, you are breathing it in.

It is just that it is politically expedient to blame smokers for the ills in society, they are largely harmless and endangered.



susie -> RE: so Brits - what to spend your tenner on? (11/26/2008 12:17:54 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: RealityLicks

quote:

ORIGINAL: susie
I have never smoked in my life and hardly drink so I can't say I contribute much in the way of duty. I am however, currently costing the NHS a fortune in treatment first for skin cancer (I don't sit in the sun either) then for the resultant brain tumour. Regular treatment, therapy and scans all costing the NHS a pretty penny. Should I start drinking and smoking to contribute my measly duty to the coffers? 


Of course not, because that would be very silly, wouldn't it?  It would also completely invert the meaning of my post.  I support high duty on cigs and booze because it makes it harder for kids to start the one or overuse the other and it hopefully also discourages the less well-off, who have fewer resources available when they fall ill.

It's sad that you are ill but I don't see a connection between your illness and those associated with smoking and drinking.  Much less with the fact that 40% of visitors to A&E are drunk (70% at night) and increasingly likely to assault staff. 

Getting back to tax, as increasing duty on alcohol and tobacco helps the NHS so greatly and is now lowering the overall tax burden, I'm not sure why you are so opposed to it.  It may only be of limited benefit but I haven't spotted anything actually harmful about it.  Perhaps you have?


Well perhaps you need to go and get your sense of humour checked over it appears to be sadly missing right now.

As for the increased duty on alcohol and tobacco, do you honestly believe that any of that increase will go to fund the NHS? If you do then you really need to take a good look at what is happening. The increase in duty will cover the losses the government face on VAT revenue.



LadyEllen -> RE: so Brits - what to spend your tenner on? (11/26/2008 2:08:38 PM)

Woolworths and MFI in administration this evening - damn! If only "2.5% Man" had gotten there quicker.......

E



Raechard -> RE: so Brits - what to spend your tenner on? (11/26/2008 2:41:03 PM)

I know I'm breaking the rules by doing this but I am going to save my extra £10 for when the government wants it back. I know it's not really in the spirit of things and I'm meant to be stimulating the economy but what I'm thinking is: everyone else should stimulate the economy and I'll supervise you all to make sure you are doing a good job of stimulating the economy.
 
Then when no one has any money left due to over stimulation I will be the richest man in the world mwah ha ha ha.
 
P.S. I hear local councils have been told save 1 billion by either cutting jobs or raising council tax. So all those people that can’t afford their mortgage payments now also won’t be able to pay their council tax, we know that jobs in council never go unless they are in charge of vital services. Just think at one point the person that cleaned bollards was the best paid man, the world is indeed now a different place, funny how quickly things can change.



LadyEllen -> RE: so Brits - what to spend your tenner on? (11/26/2008 2:43:55 PM)

The councils have to raise money somewhere R; they are the prime victims in the 1 billion pounds lost in the Icelandic skanks, sorry banks

We'd best build some gaols for all these folks that wont be able to pay up; let out some paedophiles to free space.

E



Raechard -> RE: so Brits - what to spend your tenner on? (11/26/2008 2:54:49 PM)

If the council can do for me the same now with less money as it has done for me with a surplus, I worry. We'd like our council to improve on their current service and they always seem to be able to find funding for trivial spying. If the councils are forced to stop this nonsense of using terrorism laws to spy on people it may be a good thing but I think they'll continue to find funding for that because these types love holding power over people.
 
Each year you see a humped crossing growing out of the road or an extra bus lane, the problem with local council is they have to spend it to justify it. They could easily cut spending in some areas but then people will ask why it can't always be this way. This is why you often hear stories of money being used for ridiculous schemes.



LadyEllen -> RE: so Brits - what to spend your tenner on? (11/26/2008 3:03:42 PM)

We need a total revamp R; firstly the retention of the purchase prices under "right to buy" by councils for building new social housing to replace the stock.

We need a local income tax not one based on your property. We need PR generally, including at council level.

But this is to stray even further from the OP - and in particular from the failure of RL to defend a position that seems by way of the absence of response to have been realised to be indefensible?

E



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