Jon the Hat Posted 8 March 2006 Posted 8 March 2006 Most food items are exempt from VAT. I don't care that it's a flat tax, you buy what you can afford. If you are on a low income, but decide to spend your money on expensive designer labels and expensive pre-prepared meals then you quite clearly have your priorities wrong, so shouldn't complain about paying extra tax. On a similar note, it's like road tax and tax on fuel. Why should someone who drives an economic car subsidise a housewife who uses a gas-guzzling 4x4 to drive her brood to school and back each day? Pay tax on what you use. I know that they've started to introduce these bands on the road tax, but it's not enough. And if the system was more secure (ie. proper vetting etc), people who really did need their vehicles (for health reasons) could be subsidised. It's not rocket science. The point is that someone who takes home £400 a week might spend £100 on VATable items, thereby paying VAT of £15, or 3.7% of their income. A person earning £1000 a week and spending the same is paying only 1.5% of their income. That is basically why flat taxes are unfair and increase the tax burden on the lower / middle income groups.
TrickyTrev Posted 8 March 2006 Posted 8 March 2006 Most food items are exempt from VAT. I don't care that it's a flat tax, you buy what you can afford. If you are on a low income, but decide to spend your money on expensive designer labels and expensive pre-prepared meals then you quite clearly have your priorities wrong, so shouldn't complain about paying extra tax. Its not just "designer labels" and "expensive" pre-prepared foods you pay tax on though is it? It all clothes and all non-essential food. :ermm:Have they got their priorities worng if they want a telvision or make themself look nice throug cosmetics? Be careful what you say, your very close to saying that those in the lowest quartile should make ends meat and nothing more.
Guest Posted 9 March 2006 Posted 9 March 2006 To be honest, I don't care anymore. There used to be a time when I thought the welfare state was something this country could be proud of, but as I've got older, and I've seen just how selfish the people of this country are, my views are changing. How can I feel proud about a group of society who play the system at my expense? What's so wrong with living to your means? Just because your neighbour drives a nice car, and looks good, why the hell should you have an automatic right to have the same? If you can afford it, fine, if you can't tough. With the prices that the supermarkets are charging for clothes, the amount of tax payable is insignificant. Ok, it doesn't have a trendy label, but so what?
The People's Hero Posted 9 March 2006 Posted 9 March 2006 Nothing wrong with living to your means Lisa, that's how I've been brought up. Admittedly I chose to go to uni and now have a load of debt.. I want to make something of myself now though and make the money to get myself out of debt and in a position where I can buy the things which I'd like to buy. Until I can afford it, I won't do it...
Strokes Posted 9 March 2006 Posted 9 March 2006 Damn right. I know of people who quit their jobs because they would be earning marginally less on the dole. So before people tell me it doesn't happen - get this - it does. What sickens me is that they're actually proud of themselves for doing it. Says it all about the type of people this system is creating
Guest Posted 9 March 2006 Posted 9 March 2006 Nothing wrong with living to your means Lisa, that's how I've been brought up. Admittedly I chose to go to uni and now have a load of debt.. I want to make something of myself now though and make the money to get myself out of debt and in a position where I can buy the things which I'd like to buy. Until I can afford it, I won't do it... Same here. I've made a lot of sacrifices over the years, having to make do without. So why do I feel like a mug?
The People's Hero Posted 9 March 2006 Posted 9 March 2006 Same here. I've made a lot of sacrifices over the years, having to make do without. So why do I feel like a mug? There's more satisfaction in working for something than scrounging for it.
Guest Posted 9 March 2006 Posted 9 March 2006 There's more satisfaction in working for something than scrounging for it. How very true.
davieG Posted 9 March 2006 Posted 9 March 2006 There's more satisfaction in working for something than scrounging for it. Except for those that get satisfaction from the idea of getting something for nothing. Which in all honesty we probably all have a liking for, however most people know where to draw the line and would baulk at the idea of getting something for nothing at someone else's expense.
Dr The Singh Posted 9 March 2006 Posted 9 March 2006 Except for those that get satisfaction from the idea of getting something for nothing. Which in all honesty we probably all have a liking for, however most people know where to draw the line and would baulk at the idea of getting something for nothing at someone else's expense. Most people have a concious and have been brought up on those values you talk about, but I agree there are those that would gladly take what they have not earned or have no right to!!!!!!!! Taxation is a very complicated thing and TBH it's not going to be fair for everyone!!! I agree with John the Hat on VAT, for lower income earners it does seem unfair, maybe it should be scrapped and incorporated within a fair Income Tax etc!!!
Frenzied Posted 9 March 2006 Posted 9 March 2006 What are the views of the FT electorate on this policy? To sum up, the current situation is that anyone earning £32,400+ p.a. pays 40% tax on earnings over and above this threshold. The Lib Dems would like to see this raised to 50%. Call me right wing but I think it stinks! Haven't read the whole thread, as couldn't be bothered, so this might have already been mentioned but the Lib Dem policy is for a 50% tax on earnings of £100,000 and over. In my opinion that's more than fair to the highest earners who get the most out of our society often on the the backs of the labour of the lowest earners.
kenny Posted 9 March 2006 Posted 9 March 2006 To be honest, I don't care anymore. There used to be a time when I thought the welfare state was something this country could be proud of, but as I've got older, and I've seen just how selfish the people of this country are, my views are changing. How can I feel proud about a group of society who play the system at my expense? What's so wrong with living to your means? Just because your neighbour drives a nice car, and looks good, why the hell should you have an automatic right to have the same? If you can afford it, fine, if you can't tough. With the prices that the supermarkets are charging for clothes, the amount of tax payable is insignificant. Ok, it doesn't have a trendy label, but so what? I agree with all of that except my neighbours have the things you describe and i cant afford, whats the difference between me and my neighbours? I have a job.
Knighton Matt Posted 9 March 2006 Author Posted 9 March 2006 Haven't read the whole thread, as couldn't be bothered, so this might have already been mentioned but the Lib Dem policy is for a 50% tax on earnings of £100,000 and over. In my opinion that's more than fair to the highest earners who get the most out of our society often on the the backs of the labour of the lowest earners. Yeah you're right and I think someone had pointed out. My bad, sorry!
Lemon Harpic Posted 9 March 2006 Posted 9 March 2006 Most people have a concious and have been brought up on those values you talk about, but I agree there are those that would gladly take what they have not earned or have no right to!!!!!!!! They're called 'capitalists'!
Knighton Matt Posted 9 March 2006 Author Posted 9 March 2006 They're called 'capitalists'! Leicester are crying out for a left winger mate. Shame you're so left wing you wouldn't just be hugging the touchline you'd be in the carpark.
Lemon Harpic Posted 9 March 2006 Posted 9 March 2006 Leicester are crying out for a left winger mate. Shame you're so left wing you wouldn't just be hugging the touchline you'd be in the carpark. Nowt wrong wi' that.
Guest Posted 9 March 2006 Posted 9 March 2006 I agree with all of that except my neighbours have the things you describe and i cant afford, whats the difference between me and my neighbours? I have a job. Either your neighbours earn more than you, or they've done the other stupid thing and spend more than they receive?It's interesting because there was a debate about a similar subject on the radio, and several people it seems have the same question - how can you be poor if you can afford a Sky subscription/fags/booze/etc?
Dr The Singh Posted 9 March 2006 Posted 9 March 2006 I agree with all of that except my neighbours have the things you describe and i cant afford, whats the difference between me and my neighbours? I have a job. That's a very valid point, it's all fair in saying high earners should pay tax, but to pay for freeloaders is a crime!! Not everyone on benefits are free loaders but a proportion are. Currently Britian cannot fill many jobs, most of which are within the service industry and hence foriegn labour is used, i'm sure those that are freeloading be given those jobs instead of benefits, this cut the need for foriegn labour which in the future in a very populated country begin to put strain on many resources!!! Lemon Harpic, i'm afriad capatlism rules the world, a dog eat dog world, the future is looking bleak!! I regularly travel to punjab, and over the years have seen what capatalism can do to a nation, it's gone from a very community orientated society (looking after each other) to one that now is driven by wealth, everything down there is money orientated, you got no money, nobody wants to know!!!
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