february elections?

[mullein]

does anyone else think that if we had a february election it is a crafty move . just before the budget when if blair gets back in he will then target the working man in tax hikes. he will promise the poor everything in his election broadcasts. then the mugs that work pick up the bill for their benefits.because we work we have to pay through the nose for everything prescriptions,dental treatment. inflated council tax.wars we dont want. what do you think.. mullein

[Oneeyedvic]

Not sure - like a smilar question as to why we have elections on a Thursday (becasue working people will get drunk on a Friday).

 

February is a very cold month so I would think turnout wouldn't be as high. - whether this is a good or bad thing I am not sure. Traditionally as well, people are in better moods after March / April so an incumbrent party may want to wait until people are happy.

 

[ianess]

mullein........what planet have you been living on?

The whole silly game is called politics.

[mullein]

mullein is living on the same planet as everyone else. she just wishes things could work out a bit fairer. to the working man..and also she is entitled to her opinion the same as everyone else.and if their is a february vote mullein will write a letter of complaint,even if the horrid mr blair does throw it in the bin. mullein

[Oneeyedvic]

"mullein is living on the same planet as everyone else"

 

Hey mullein - you come from Pluto too?

[mullein]

i am sure it is cheaper to live on pluto than here..and i wouldnt have to pay so much in tax..the working man is penalised.my poor husband has to go to work in all weathers he has had one day sick in 30 years.and he isnt any better off.if he wants extra he has to do overtime,its okay for the scroungers slumbering under their duvets waiting to see what increase they are going to get in their benefits.....mullein 

[Oneeyedvic]

I really do hate Tony Blair, and I could never vote Labour - however, I am at a quandry as to who to vote for at the next election - I am also not convinced that it makes a lot of difference - ie the grass is not greener!

 

I do agree that it seems that we just have to work until we drop. It doesn't seem fair but I am fond of quoting David Bowie in Labrynth "Fair, you keep saying things aren't fair. I wonder, what is your basis for comparisson"

 

I do prefer living in this country and calling 'poverty' not having more than 2 tvs in the house. Obviously, far better than certain countries.

[mullein]

 well i shall vote for the conservative party, i rather fancy michael howard he has twinkly eyes especiall in prime minister question time on a wednesday,,dont get me wrong i havnt allways been anti labour i was a member at one stage in my life, and used to deliver leaflets etc... then we came to live in a city through my husbands job and when you are working hard and seing others not, it changes your outlook,i am very honest and i wouldnot do some of the scams i have witnessed, also i wouldnt purchase stolen goods like they sell round the pubs either,i cant say i am poor i could be better off if didnt have to pay so much out, and also if i get ill then its over �6 for a prescription,the other week i was given 4 prescriptions and i ended up having to buy a prepayment prescription for over 30 pound dont you think i would have liked to spend that money on the house or us going out, i am sure we are not as poor as third world countrys,but in some ways they are rich they dont have council tax gas electric and phone bills to pay,think i will move to pluto ....mullein

[Oneeyedvic]

I have always voted conservative, but am not sure I can in the next election. I simply don't trust Howard. We'll have to see.

 

I would love to go out and spend money on myself, howver we can't really afford it anymore. But that is because we purcahsed a larger house. That was my choice. Everyone has choices, and linked to that are pros and cons.

You say that the third world are rich as they don't have council tax gas electric and phone bills. In reality, you can elect to not have these. Your phone is certainly a luxury. But it would be a compromise to live without it.

 

If conservatives come into power, do you really think anything will cahnge. Your precriptions, council tax, electric gas & bt bills will still remain stupidly high. Unfortunate but true.

 

[jimmer]

not sure you really understand how tax works. conservatives brought in prescription charges and lowered direct taxation in favour of taxes on spending. the general level of tax as a proportion of GDP was actually higher when thatcher was in power. If political parties have a genuine desire to deliver tax cuts then you will be expected to pay your way through the money you retain, this could mean paying the real market cost of some prescription drugs. Its a similar thing with all these "scroungers" you talk about. Labour brought in the minimum wage which means that employers have to pay a decent wage. This limits the amount of top-ups that the state needs to pay to people through taxation. Under thatcher we had such bad unemployment that the social securiy budget in the early 1980's was approaching 100 billion pounds. On the election: Any government will try to call an election at a time which is most favourable to them. Going a full term makes it more difficult to manage public opinion. it was ever thus. Personnally, i dont like blair or labour but the tories would be an absolute disaster. If you are very wealthy tho, you will be ok whoever gets in.

 

jim

 

 

[ianess]

mullein......not everyone lying under their duvets and existing on state benefits is there by choice.

Speaking personally, I worked incessantly for 40years to support a wife and family until ill-health threw me onto the scrap-heap with barely a word of thanks. You suddenly realise that you`re just a number and not after all irreplacable.

Agreed....the working man has to struggle just to keep his head above water but not every one out of work is a scrounger who wants to be in that situation.