Fueling discontent

[Thracian]

Much is written trying to shame fuel giants BP an Shell about their profits but what a pity the headlines don't focus on the amount of money this godforsaken Government steals in fuel tax.

BP and Shell do the research, take the risks, work in decidedly chancy environments physically and politically while the Government steals more than any other European Government in tax?

We all know we could be driving infinitely cheaper and cleaner electricity driven transport but if they became available would they remain cheap anyway?

Of course not. Easy-to-produce electricity would be infinitely more expensive just as filling a diesel tank has increased since people took advice and changed to these more fuel efficient economical vehicles. And politicians wonder why no-one trusts them, at least I don't.

While pretending inflation is low and tax levels are low (when they're not and taxation is the highest ever) our politicians drain people of every spare penny they've got and more, much of it destined to be wasted.

But while it's clear that people everywhere are feeling the pinch or being increasingly weighed down by debt MP's remain protected with their self-agreed improved salaries, generous allowances and perks, protected pensions etc.

It's a disgrace. How the hell can politicians guage the way people feel if they're immune from the problems themselves?

Yet the masses do nothing but grumble and talk vaguelly of peaceful protest. The problem with people, of course, is that they cannot agree on anything and therefore it's virtually impossible to unite them towards any end. The politicians know this and happily go on kicking them in the bollocks.

Hauliers regularly complain about fuel duty but can barely get a quorum of support when it comes to taking even the mildest action. No wonder the Government takes the piss and robs them no less surely than DickTurpin would.

As for the motorist. They'd rather look after number one than really do anything - as evidenced by how quick some are to get at the fuel pumps when they think there's half a chance of fuel shortages or rationing. I'm all right Jack. Survival of the fittest, fastest, greediest and most sodding selfish.

You would think motorists would form themselves into a really powerful lobby but I've seen no signs of it. Those little metal shells are an island to millions. No-one gives a toss so long as they can get by.

[Dr The Singh]

Much is written trying to shame fuel giants BP an Shell about their profits but what a pity the headlines don't focus on the amount of money this godforsaken Government steals in fuel tax.

BP and Shell do the research, take the risks, work in decidedly chancy environments physically and politically while the Government steals more than any other European Government in tax?

We all know we could be driving infinitely cheaper and cleaner electricity driven transport but if they became available would they remain cheap anyway?

Of course not. Easy-to-produce electricity would be infinitely more expensive just as filling a diesel tank has increased since people took advice and changed to these more fuel efficient economical vehicles. And politicians wonder why no-one trusts them, at least I don't.

While pretending inflation is low and tax levels are low (when they're not and taxation is the highest ever) our politicians drain people of every spare penny they've got and more, much of it destined to be wasted.

But while it's clear that people everywhere are feeling the pinch or being increasingly weighed down by debt MP's remain protected with their self-agreed improved salaries, generous allowances and perks, protected pensions etc.

It's a disgrace. How the hell can politicians guage the way people feel if they're immune from the problems themselves?

Yet the masses do nothing but grumble and talk vaguelly of peaceful protest. The problem with people, of course, is that they cannot agree on anything and therefore it's virtually impossible to unite them towards any end. The politicians know this and happily go on kicking them in the bollocks.

Hauliers regularly complain about fuel duty but can barely get a quorum of support when it comes to taking even the mildest action. No wonder the Government takes the piss and robs them no less surely than DickTurpin would.

As for the motorist. They'd rather look after number one than really do anything - as evidenced by how quick some are to get at the fuel pumps when they think there's half a chance of fuel shortages or rationing. I'm all right Jack. Survival of the fittest, fastest, greediest and most sodding selfish.

You would think motorists would form themselves into a really powerful lobby but I've seen no signs of it. Those little metal shells are an island to millions. No-one gives a toss so long as they can get by.

Us Brits just moan about things, nothing else, were the crappest when it comes to protesting!!!

[Zingari]

spot on thracian ,

but i can't help feeling that you are in a bad mood because you've just got back from being caught up in a big queue at a filling station after you had decided to fill up in case there was a shortage

[Thracian]

spot on thracian ,

but i can't help feeling that you are in a bad mood because you've just got back from being caught up in a big queue at a filling station after you had decided to fill up in case there was a shortage

I have many faults but being a grabber isn't one of them. My last visit to the garage was three days ago when I put in my normal £20's worth, or about 2/5ths of a tank.

In relation to ensuring there was some left for others it was a tiny gesture but then, if everyone did it, and a crisis did develop, more people would have at least some fuel to decide where their priorities lie.

PS: I'm in a bad mood because my football club are teetering on the edge of a precipice and there's sod all I can do about it.

[James.]

I actually agree with most of that. The funniest (stupidest) thing about fuel panics is there would be no shortages if people didn't panic. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy. The fools.

And yes oil companies do make large profits but then so do Tesco and no one really complains that they should pay less for their bread and butter. The government have a very handy shield in the form of Shell, BP, etc which they can use to deflect anger over fuel costs away from themsleves.

[Corky]

I have many faults but being a grabber isn't one of them. My last visit to the garage was three days ago when I put in my normal £20's worth, or about 2/5ths of a tank.

In relation to ensuring there was some left for others it was a tiny gesture but then, if everyone did it, and a crisis did develop, more people would have at least some fuel to decide their priorities with.

PS: I'm in a bad mood because my football club are teetering on the edge of a precipice and there's sod all I can do about it.

Haven't you been listening Thrac? Our continued support really does make a difference, as is evident by the team's performance on the pitch

[Thracian]

Haven't you been listening Thrac? Our continued support really does make a difference, as is evident by the team's performance on the pitch

Yes and unless plan B comes off I might be short of a ticket for Sunday!

[Corky]

Yes and unless plan B comes off I might be short of a ticket for Sunday!

What's that, Holloway is sacked and you take charge for the last game?

[Tommy G]

I actually agree with most of that. The funniest (stupidest) thing about fuel panics is there would be no shortages if people didn't panic. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy. The fools.

And yes oil companies do make large profits but then so do Tesco and no one really complains that they should pay less for their bread and butter. The government have a very handy shield in the form of Shell, BP, etc which they can use to deflect anger over fuel costs away from themsleves.

If i'm not mistaken don't the fuel companies claim they don't make their profits in this country anyway?

Or they make the profits on refining the actual oil? Maybe im mistaken but I've heard this excuse from shell before.

[Phube]

Us Brits just moan about things, nothing else, were the crappest when it comes to protesting!!!

Talking about crap protesting.. Is anyone else suprised how easily the smokers have gave up their 'right' to smoke indoors!!

Not a peep (apart from one pub in Blackpool), it's quite sad (if not a little funny) really!

[Tommy G]

Talking about crap protesting.. Is anyone else suprised how easily the smokers have gave up their 'right' to smoke indoors!!

Not a peep (apart from one pub in Blackpool), it's quite sad (if not a little funny) really!

I saw a pissed up plonker light up in a nightclub a few weeks back. He then looked surprised when people were hurling abuse at him and eventually he got lead outside.

[Tabou]

I saw a pissed up plonker light up in a nightclub a few weeks back. He then looked surprised when people were hurling abuse at him and eventually he got lead outside.

Gangstarrrrrrr

I wouldn't hurl abuse at him. Any man who is that defiant of the law must be 'ard.

[Shrenchel]

Talking about crap protesting.. Is anyone else suprised how easily the smokers have gave up their 'right' to smoke indoors!!

Not a peep (apart from one pub in Blackpool), it's quite sad (if not a little funny) really!

That's completely different though. Even smokers like myself recognise that it's a pretty reasonable law if we're honest about it. Yeah maybe there should have been separate smoking rooms etc etc but you'd have to be a bit of **** to protest vehemently for your right to give other people cancer. Smoking ban been introduced without much protest in plenty of other countries; France, Italy, Germany, Australia, Scandinavia, Canada etc etc.

[Phube]

That's completely different though. Even smokers like myself recognise that it's a pretty reasonable law if we're honest about it. Yeah maybe there should have been separate smoking rooms etc etc but you'd have to be a bit of **** to protest vehemently for your right to give other people cancer. Smoking ban been introduced without much protest in plenty of other countries; France, Italy, Germany, Australia, Scandinavia, Canada etc etc.

I hear everyone in France just ignores it!?

[Zingari]

I have many faults but being a grabber isn't one of them. My last visit to the garage was three days ago when I put in my normal £20's worth, or about 2/5ths of a tank.

In relation to ensuring there was some left for others it was a tiny gesture but then, if everyone did it, and a crisis did develop, more people would have at least some fuel to decide where their priorities lie.

PS: I'm in a bad mood because my football club are teetering on the edge of a precipice and there's sod all I can do about it.

just joking mate

i've just been and filled up though and its bloody disgusting how many of us are doing the same

[Thracian]

Talking about crap protesting.. Is anyone else suprised how easily the smokers have gave up their 'right' to smoke indoors!!

Not a peep (apart from one pub in Blackpool), it's quite sad (if not a little funny) really!

That draconian legislation has deeply depressed my sister. I'm a non smoker, as is my wife and sons so personally I love it. But when I see people made utterly miserable by yet more nannying interference in personal choice it makes me livid.

A happy medium could have been found that was much more reasonable but I suspect that insurers, once again, were the driving force.

[Zingari]

That draconian legislation has deeply depressed my sister. I'm a non smoker, as is my wife and sons so personally I love it. But when I see people made utterly miserable by yet more nannying interference in personal choice it makes me livid.

A happy medium could have been found that was much more reasonable but I suspect that insurers, once again, were the driving force.

i'm not sure the government are to blame wholly for this type of legislation ( ok i know ultimately they do pass the laws)

governments are driven to make these laws because pressure groups force it upon them

the nanny state has not just appeared with the present government , its been creeping into the zeitgeist for a few generations now , and it is maybe not all such a bad thing .

cui bono ? i do not know financially , but you may have a point with the insurers

but as sure as x is x, there would be many demonstration on the streets of the uk if any government appeared not to be taking the health of the people seriously

[James.]

That draconian legislation has deeply depressed my sister. I'm a non smoker, as is my wife and sons so personally I love it. But when I see people made utterly miserable by yet more nannying interference in personal choice it makes me livid.

If she is "deeply depressed" by a smoking ban then I would suggest she has more serious problems than just a nicotine addiction.

[Thracian]

If she is "deeply depressed" by a smoking ban then I would suggest she has more serious problems than just a nicotine addiction.

No question about that. Most people I know who are addicted to smoking, or other things for that matter, have additional problems which only makes the legislation even harder to justify because, to the victims, these problems only seem more pronounced as a result, not easier.

Some smoker's feel ostracized and while it is easy for non-smokers to feel unsympathetic about that, it's a pretty meiserable feeling for the smokers.

[Daggers]

I thought this thread was about petrol - not lighting up fags. You shouldn't mix them.

Oh no.

Dangerous.

*BOOM*

[lookwhaticando]

I'm pumped for a protest about fuel.

[Webbo]

I caught the end of a debate about this on radio 5 the other day. One chap(a spokesman for somebody,I didn't catch who) said that it was a good thing that the tax on petrol was so high because because when the price of oil doubled it only went up a small percentage of the price whereas countries that have low tax on fuel see a large percentage rise in prices.

That has to be the lamest excuse ever.

[Daggers]

85% of cars owners will find their car tax goes up next year, everything registered from 2001.

I've moved from disliking this government to downright hatred.

[Alexikokopops]

I own a car now, I really should keep an eye on things.

So petrol's running out?

My word, what a pickle.

[Guest]

It's certainly making me re-consider my choice of new car to be honest