Originally Posted by Mancie (Post 800681)

Just goes to show how a life "overlooking at ducks and geese" can make people out of touch with reality.:D

Originally Posted by andrewb (Post 800685)

Second option would be international development. We're not saying you should just throw money at a problem, it has to be specifically targeted money that actually helps people get out of the situation they're in. This is much more than just giving some foreign government a wad of cash.

Originally Posted by garinda (Post 800675)

Some humanitarian aid is given, knowing it will be diverted into arms, to bolster various supported regimes.

'A recent document released by the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has revealed that millions of dollars, allocated for victims of the Ethiopian famine of 1984-85, went into buying weapons for rebellions. However, Robert Gates - President Obama’s Secretary of Defense said the suggestion cannot be ruled out that the CIA not only knew about, but supported, the diversion of aid funds to the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF)'
EthioGuardian.com ETG: Ethiopia: Aid money was spent on arms


I do think the majority of hardworking British taxpayers, do get sick and fed up of this happening, time after time.

They can see plenty of things their taxes could help to improve in this country, rather than be spent on arming third world dictators.

Originally Posted by katex (Post 800517)

I don't like the freeze on personal allowance either .. still cutting into my pension whilst the price of goods increase ... :(

Originally Posted by andrewb (Post 801177)

With the freeze in personal allowance and below price rise in the basic state pension, it makes single pensioners over 65 £110 worse off. Disgraceful.

Originally Posted by garinda (Post 800745)

'Raising the Inheritance Tax threshold to £1 million.'
The Conservative Party | Policy | Where we stand | Economy

Estimated house price £352,456.00
Property details for 11 Wildings Lane Lytham St. Annes FY8 3RJ - Zoopla!

At least some people, and their neighbours will benefit from the proposed Conservative tax changes.

Though it probably won't affect too many of us here in Hyndburn, who'll have to pay for these changes through cuts in services.

A case of give and take.

:rolleyes:

Originally Posted by garinda (Post 801182)

Talking of new allowances, and proposed changes, what do you think about the proposals to change the level at which inheritance tax is paid?

Originally Posted by andrewb (Post 801185)

I think it's a great idea. Inheritance tax was only ever meant to tax the most wealthy. Only millionaires should be paying it. Many people have worked hard all their lives and wish to pass assets on to their loved ones, rather than the state taking it away from them.

Originally Posted by garinda (Post 801187)

Seems rather unfair on millionaires, to be singled out.

Why that particular threshold?

Hardly an encouragement for enterpise, and industriousness.

Soulds quite like communism.

Originally Posted by andrewb (Post 801189)

The richest can afford to pay a little more in taxation than the poorest.

Originally Posted by andrewb (Post 801189)

The richest can afford to pay a little more in taxation than the poorest.

Originally Posted by garinda (Post 801194)

When talking about the 'richest', that's a term that's open to debate.

To many people in Hyndburn, someone like Karen Buckley, who lives in a property valued at over a third of a million pounds, and who will no longer be eligible for inheritance tax if the Conservatives win the next election, would be perhaps seen as being 'rich'.

I suppose the term's relative, and depends on the value of the property you're sitting in, whilst pondering the concept, and definition of 'rich'.

Originally Posted by garinda (Post 801194)

Karen Buckley, who lives in a property valued at over a third of a million pounds, and who will no longer be eligible for inheritance tax if the Conservatives or Labour win the next election..

Originally Posted by garinda (Post 801191)

We'll have to disagree on that one.

I think everyone should pay the same rate of tax.

True equality means everyone should pay the same percentage of their income in tax, which of course means in financial terms, the wealthier will pay more.

Not party politics, just my own thoughts, as someone who believes in the concept of equality, and that it should be applicable to all, otherwise it's a nonsense.