The Tories

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by Neil

With me being a young lad and you of more senior years please explain something to me.
When poll tax came along with the level it was set at did it mean most households were paying the same or more money?

It started in 1990 which was just when I moved into a rented house in Burnley (It's rare that I admit it) with my ex-wife. I have no idea what the rates would have been at that time.

It was ridiculous Neil, can't remember the exact figures now, but say a family two adults and two kids over 18, paying the rates would cost something like £200 a year, when the Community Charge came in it was something like £285 per head average was around 400% or 500% up on what they were paying, stupidity personified. if the rate had been much lower it would have been more acceptable and would have worked, the galling thing is Michael Portillo said at the time it would be a vote winning not a loser. Ken Hargreaves never supported the Government in one vote during its passage through the system, despite being harangued nearly ever day during that period by the whips

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by MargaretR

The poll tax was an administrators nightmare.

For those who wanted to avoid it it was easy just to waive your right to vote by not registering on any electoral list.

Houses stay put - people don't, and some move house often.

The task of keeping track of people would be formidable (and expensive)

Absolutely spot on Margaret, but the brainbox in Westminster who came up with it never even thought about it until Ken actually broached it with the whips on one of their fishing trips, in fact I doubt if they ever gave it much thought at all really it was such a dogs breakfast

[Neil]

Originally Posted by jaysay

It was ridiculous Neil, can't remember the exact figures now, but say a family two adults and two kids over 18, paying the rates would cost something like £200 a year, when the Community Charge came in it was something like £285 per head average was around 400% or 500% up on what they were paying, stupidity personified. if the rate had been much lower it would have been more acceptable and would have worked, the galling thing is Michael Portillo said at the time it would be a vote winning not a loser. Ken Hargreaves never supported the Government in one vote during its passage through the system, despite being harangued nearly ever day during that period by the whips

If the poll tax brought in more money to the Council than the rates system where did the Councils get that extra money from before?

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by Neil

If the poll tax brought in more money to the Council than the rates system where did the Councils get that extra money from before?

Government, in fact they were thinking of scrapping Rates altogether but came up with the Community Charge Neil, which was quickly changed to Council Tax, I'm still not convinced that this is the right way of paying for local services, but its been with us for over 20 years now and until somebody comes up with something different it looks like being with us for the time being, you'll never find something which satisfies all of the people, but until they come up with something different looks like we're stuck with it. Having said that the Community Charge used correctly would have been the answer, if it was implemented today at a reasonable level it could work, but like anything there are winners and losers, and losers will always make their voice heard

[Neil]

Originally Posted by jaysay

Government, in fact they were thinking of scrapping Rates altogether but came up with the Community Charge Neil, which was quickly changed to Council Tax, I'm still not convinced that this is the right way of paying for local services, but its been with us for over 20 years now and until somebody comes up with something different it looks like being with us for the time being, you'll never find something which satisfies all of the people, but until they come up with something different looks like we're stuck with it. Having said that the Community Charge used correctly would have been the answer, if it was implemented today at a reasonable level it could work, but like anything there are winners and losers, and losers will always make their voice heard

As said before - tracking people is not as easy as houses. It should be though, what we need is ID cards with the government knowing who everyone is and where they are

[MargaretR]

Originally Posted by Neil

As said before - tracking people is not as easy as houses. It should be though, what we need is ID cards with the government knowing who everyone is and where they are

The ID card was one step away from the microchip implant.

I don't want to be treated like a pet animal - do you?

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by Neil

As said before - tracking people is not as easy as houses. It should be though, what we need is ID cards with the government knowing who everyone is and where they are

Good luck with that one Neil Although anybody coming to live here from anywhere in the world, including Europe, should have an Identity Card

[Neil]

Originally Posted by MargaretR

The ID card was one step away from the microchip implant.

I don't want to be treated like a pet animal - do you?

It is a long way from that. If you have nothing to hide why does it matter?

[MargaretR]

Originally Posted by Neil

It is a long way from that. If you have nothing to hide why does it matter?

When you are aware that microchips can contain 'hidden extras', you might not be so complacent.

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by MargaretR

When you are aware that microchips can contain 'hidden extras', you might not be so complacent.

[Neil]

Originally Posted by MargaretR

When you are aware that microchips can contain 'hidden extras', you might not be so complacent.

The thing is I really don't care. My life is far to busy to worry about people controlling me.

Why are you wasting what little time you have left worrying about things you have no control over and can't change?

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by Neil

The thing is I really don't care. My life is far to busy to worry about people controlling me.

Why are you wasting what little time you have left worrying about things you have no control over and can't change?

Nail Hit Head Neil

[MargaretR]

Originally Posted by Neil

The thing is I really don't care. My life is far to busy to worry about people controlling me.

Why are you wasting what little time you have left worrying about things you have no control over and can't change?

It keeps me occupied - I have opted out of your rat race - when you opt out of your walk on bit part in the charade that is life, you see things from a detatched perspective.

I don't 'worry' - just observe.

[Less]

Originally Posted by MargaretR

I don't 'worry' - just observe.

You don't 'worry' but your symptoms are 'worrying', You do 'observe', but your 'observations' are skewed and should not be allowed out in public on their own.

[MargaretR]

Thank you for your concern