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Cheaper for us all, REALLY?
Having watched the programme on ITV tonight regarding alcohol consumption in Britain, I cannot rid myself of this feeling that the only way to solve it is by pushing up prices is bureaucratic brainwashing. I believe in 'moderation in all things'. My view is this, for what it is worth. People really do not set out to become alcoholic. Sadly, when & if they do, it is not down to the fact that booze is cheap. There are usually far more deep-seated reasons for it. Depression, low self-esteem, joblessness - as has been the case for scores of years. All the government would do by increasing the price of drink is make it just one more elitist 'product' - another 'punishment' for the working classes, such as premier leaugue football on TV( we have to subscribe to such as Sky, then pay for Sky+ etc to watch our national team), smoking, theatre, even cinema. My solution (if there is one) would be to stop glamourising alcohol in adverts, and actually to stop TV advertising of alcohol. I know people who are alcoholic, and they have all said they were doing OK at quitting until they saw the studio light enhancing the glow of the brandy or whatever, then they wanted a drink. After the drink, what next for the taxman? Fresh air? Ski slopes? Gyms? Really, the working classes are being unashamedly squeezed, and it will continue, under the guise of cutting costs to the NHS.
We wait to see.
Having watched the programme on ITV tonight regarding alcohol consumption in Britain, I cannot rid myself of this feeling that the only way to solve it is by pushing up prices is bureaucratic brainwashing. I believe in 'moderation in all things'. My view is this, for what it is worth. People really do not set out to become alcoholic. Sadly, when & if they do, it is not down to the fact that booze is cheap. There are usually far more deep-seated reasons for it. Depression, low self-esteem, joblessness - as has been the case for scores of years. All the government would do by increasing the price of drink is make it just one more elitist 'product' - another 'punishment' for the working classes, such as premier leaugue football on TV( we have to subscribe to such as Sky, then pay for Sky+ etc to watch our national team), smoking, theatre, even cinema. My solution (if there is one) would be to stop glamourising alcohol in adverts, and actually to stop TV advertising of alcohol. I know people who are alcoholic, and they have all said they were doing OK at quitting until they saw the studio light enhancing the glow of the brandy or whatever, then they wanted a drink. After the drink, what next for the taxman? Fresh air? Ski slopes? Gyms? Really, the working classes are being unashamedly squeezed, and it will continue, under the guise of cutting costs to the NHS.
We wait to see.
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It's not just alcoholics ( in fact I'd go so far as to say they were a small minority) which cost the NHS billions through drinking alcohol. The general 'antics' of people ending up in casualty, domestic violence and associated illnesses costs far more. With an ever growing population, the funds have to come from somewhere and by far the easiest way is to raise the price of the substance which is causing the issue.
I would agree to a point CAS - point I am trying to make is that no matter what the proletariat enjoy - be it drink, cigs, the arts, sports etc -the govt of the day will find a way to brainwash the public that their hard earned money is paying for it. And sadly. they fall for it hook, line and sinker.
'Moderation in all things' may be your mantra; but you only have to step into any town centre at the weekend to see that there are many people for whom this is anathema. They want strong, cheap alcohol and they want it *now* !
No-one sets out to be an alcoholic and yes of course there are myriad reasons........it would seem that the cheap availability of strong alcohol is fast becoming the main issue.
Tackling alcohol abuse is not just a way of making savings in NHS..........Drunk and disorderly behaviour costs in so many different ways; look at the threads in the Law section here to see what people have done and had done to them through someone having far too much to drink.
If raising the prices saves so much pain, I for one, am in favour.
It has nothing to do with 'squeezing the working classes' and everything to do with trying to address a growing problem.
No-one sets out to be an alcoholic and yes of course there are myriad reasons........it would seem that the cheap availability of strong alcohol is fast becoming the main issue.
Tackling alcohol abuse is not just a way of making savings in NHS..........Drunk and disorderly behaviour costs in so many different ways; look at the threads in the Law section here to see what people have done and had done to them through someone having far too much to drink.
If raising the prices saves so much pain, I for one, am in favour.
It has nothing to do with 'squeezing the working classes' and everything to do with trying to address a growing problem.
Taxation is there to raise funds for the treasury. Obviously they will tax the most popular things like alcohol , cars , cigarettes. The aim is to raise money. I suppose they could tax people for less popular pass times. Unfortunately the funds raised wouldnt be enough.
As for working classes.Who are the working class in the 21st century?A good question to ask.I read a recent article in a broadsheet that said most of the people who would have been considered working class 30 years ago , now considered themselves to be middle class. Their reason for thinking this?The fact that they were homeowners.The fact that they actually only own the debt on a house , the mortgage, until they have paid the final instalment on said mortgage was a fact that they didn't seem to take into consideration.It could be argued that the more debt you have the better class of a person some people appear to think they are.Strange times we live in , indeed.
As for working classes.Who are the working class in the 21st century?A good question to ask.I read a recent article in a broadsheet that said most of the people who would have been considered working class 30 years ago , now considered themselves to be middle class. Their reason for thinking this?The fact that they were homeowners.The fact that they actually only own the debt on a house , the mortgage, until they have paid the final instalment on said mortgage was a fact that they didn't seem to take into consideration.It could be argued that the more debt you have the better class of a person some people appear to think they are.Strange times we live in , indeed.
OK - to JTH et al - my point is the fact that raising the price of alcohol may be or seem the answer. I would argue long and hard that the price is not the issue. But my main point would be - after they increase the price of alcohol (which I personally feel will increase crime) what next? Whatever it is, you can bet yer backside the ones in power won't be deprived of their 'pleasures'. They will however dexcribe any curbing of pleasure 'for the general masses' as a saving for the NHS. And constantly put forward 'targets' as they did in the case of smokers, so that in the end they are considered PARIAHS. After anyone who enjoys a drink is classed the same way, will people wake up to the insidious way the govt is turning us all against our peers?
Why wouldmthe government want to turn us against our peers? Surely that would be counter productive. Who exactly do you see as 'our' peers. You seem to be basing your argument on the premis that alcohol related NHS costs are solely a working class (whatever that is) problem. Your arguments are confused and naive.
No 123 - my argument is based on the obvious point that govt once again want to create 'pariahs' or 'underclasses' they have already succeeded with smokers. Now they are turning their attention to alcohol- soon anything remotely enjoyable will be out of reach for everyfay folk. I mean that in a very sincere sense. For instance, 20 or so years ago, I could afford many pleasures. For instance, I could afford to take my kids to Wembley, I could afford to drive places to visit family, I could afford to do keep fit, I could afford a cigarette, and I could afford a bootle of nice wine. Am I the only one who cannot afford these things anymore? And am I the only one that can see by govt pressure, we are turning against our peers?
I can't afford those things, as a matter of course, but neither do I consider them to be necessities or the fundamental rights of the working wo/man.
The fact that other people can is not a matter over which I ought to become all bitter and twisted with my peers. If you are, I suggest the fault lies with you.
The fact that other people can is not a matter over which I ought to become all bitter and twisted with my peers. If you are, I suggest the fault lies with you.
Me too AA - i left school @ 15 and have worked ever since. Have paid into system all the way. Now, after a lifetime of thinking I would get my pension @ 60, I have had a letter from DWP saying I will be 63 and 3 quarters when I get my state pension. I'm 57, and can't get a job now. So what do I do until almost 64? Would love an answer to this from an MP.
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