Missile Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 Just got sent this, Thought i'd share. Sounds a great idea to me. > Dear Mr. Darling, > > Please find below my suggestion for fixing Britain 's economy. Instead of giving billions of pounds to banks that will squander the money on lavish parties and unearned bonuses, use the following plan. You can call it the Patriotic Retirement Plan: > > > There are about 20 million people over 50 in the work force. - Pay them £1 million apiece severance for early retirement with the following stipulations: > > 1) They MUST retire. Twenty million job openings - Unemployment fixed. > > 2) They MUST buy a new British CAR. Twenty million cars ordered - Auto Industry fixed. > > 3) They MUST either buy a house or pay off their mortgage - Housing Crisis fixed. > > 4) They must send there kids to school / college /university - Crime rate fixed > > 5) Buy £50 of alcohol / tobacco a week there's your money back in duty / tax etc > > It can't get any easier than that! > > P.S. If more money is needed, have all members of parliament pay back there falsely claimed expenses and second home allowances > > If you think this would work, please forward to everyone you know. If not, please disregard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missile Posted May 6, 2009 Author Share Posted May 6, 2009 Only problem is number 4 really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewOW Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 Only problem is number 4 really. Yes, I noticed the there/their mistake too! Sounds like a good plan though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 I think the only problem is you need 20 trillion pounds to do it!! Only just under a third of the world's debt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missile Posted May 6, 2009 Author Share Posted May 6, 2009 Yes, I noticed the there/their mistake too! Sounds like a good plan though. I was thinking, Most 50 plus year olds have already sorted schools out for their kids etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra_aero Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 Interesting thoughts.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra_aero Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 Just given thought to it and realised why it wouldn't work but the theory is still interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz6002 Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 Why does everyone go on about MP's expenses all the time? It's not like they make any difference at all to people's lives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 Why does everyone go on about MP's expenses all the time? It's not like they make any difference at all to people's lives. I think it's when people put in for porn it's a problem! On a serious note though, some of the thigns that have been revieled as expenses' claimed are ridiculous. If MP's are taking the p!ss with their expenses then they should be held accountable. Some individual MP's expenses run in the 100's of thosands so i think it does make a difference if you consider how mamy MP's there are out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra_aero Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 Why does everyone go on about MP's expenses all the time? It's not like they make any difference at all to people's lives. Well it is funded by tax payers. Isn't it? Not that I care that much, but I would if I was in a dead end job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz6002 Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 I think it's when people put in for porn it's a problem! But why?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
extendor Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 The vast majority of over 50's have a stronger work ethic and more skills than the many under thirties. Far better to keep the over fifties in useful employment IMHO and use their skills properly. Maybe best to just get rid of Brown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz6002 Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 Well it is funded by tax payers. Isn't it? Not that I care that much, but I would if I was in a dead end job. Regardless of how it's funded, they hold positions of huge responsiblity. I think it's far more outragous to see footballers being paid millions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 But why?? Are you serious?! Hardly an essential?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 outragous to see footballers being paid millions. I think you're missing the point. Footballers wages arn't funding from tax revenue! They can be paid whatever, it's not public money. MP Expenses is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra_aero Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 Regardless of how it's funded, they hold positions of huge responsiblity. I think it's far more outragous to see footballers being paid millions. I agree entirely. BUT... As I reiterate... if I had been working in a job where I felt I was hugely underpaid, and thus you notice the tax hurting you and found out MPs are getting lavish public funded expenses I'd be annoyed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra_aero Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 btw I agree in terms of outrageousness But agree with Matt H re: how the 2 are differently funded. I can't argue if supply and demand forces footballers wages to unsightly levels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz6002 Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 I think you're missing the point. Footballers wages arn't funding from tax revenue! They can be paid whatever, it's not public money. MP Expenses is. So? Why on earth would you want to live in a country where the polititians are being paid £18k a year? Good luck with that. Some of you guys need to open your eyes... they are making decisions and building policies which affect us all, and although maybe not making the right calls all the time they actually haven't done too badly on the essential humanitarian issues (healthcare, education and child welfare for example). Maybe you're missing the point. The only reason people bitch about expenses for MPs is because they're jealous of the privilage. I wonder how many have an education in politics and the skill/ability/knowledge required to do an MP's job? The laughable thing about the whole footballers thing is that people choose to pay them stupid amounts, then bitch when MPs are paid significantly less simply because they don't understand what MPs do. IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra_aero Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 So? Why on earth would you want to live in a country where the polititians are being paid £18k a year? Good luck with that. Some of you guys need to open your eyes... they are making decisions and building policies which affect us all, and although maybe not making the right calls all the time they actually haven't done too badly on the essential humanitarian issues (healthcare, education and child welfare for example). Maybe you're missing the point. The only reason people bitch about expenses for MPs is because they're jealous of the privilage. I wonder how many have an education in politics and the skill/ability/knowledge required to do an MP's job? The laughable thing about the whole footballers thing is that people choose to pay them stupid amounts, then bitch when MPs are paid significantly less simply because they don't understand what MPs do. IMO. I just did a google search on footballers salaries and was astounded. Yes they are grossly overpaid in my opinion BUT... The point is MPs are exploiting tax payers by deceitfully claiming expenses that they should not be. If they want higher salaries to compensate for their skills/stress levels etc., that is a different matter. But being deceitful and claiming expenses you are not entitled to is in effect stealing from a nation of tax paying individuals. I don't think people are jealous but actually annoyed about them being dishonest. People generally never complain about their base salaries do they? I never see complaints such as Gordon Brown/Alistair Darling are overpaid. Never. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny g Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 So? Why on earth would you want to live in a country where the polititians are being paid £18k a year? Good luck with that. Some of you guys need to open your eyes... they are making decisions and building policies which affect us all, and although maybe not making the right calls all the time they actually haven't done too badly on the essential humanitarian issues (healthcare, education and child welfare for example). Maybe you're missing the point. The only reason people bitch about expenses for MPs is because they're jealous of the privilage. I wonder how many have an education in politics and the skill/ability/knowledge required to do an MP's job? The laughable thing about the whole footballers thing is that people choose to pay them stupid amounts, then bitch when MPs are paid significantly less simply because they don't understand what MPs do. IMO. An MP is job-title, for precisely that. A job. It should be treated and audited like a job. Yes, they have big decisions. But, so do other people. Doctors? Pilots? They have peoples lives in theirs hands every day of their working lives. MP's need to be accountable for their expenses. If the whole expense scheme for the MP's wasn't so luxurious for them, then nobody would be working 80-100 hours a week for a £65k salary (around £15 an hour!) - so of course they're capitalising on their expenses, at our expense. For my company, when my employees are working away from home they get an allowance of upto £100 a night for a hotel and then £30 a night for a per diem allowance - and that's checked when they submit their expenses. Now, I appreciate that MP's have security issues, but secure managed apartments can be arranged in terms of MP's grade. They get a room/apartment in London and pre-paid travel to and from, coming out of a central office where the expenses are centrally accounted for. Drop the expenses and increase base salary to £100k. All MP's with This would stop those who are in the job for the expenses and maybe bring out those who actually care for what they do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz6002 Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 I just did a google search on footballers salaries and was astounded. Yes they are grossly overpaid in my opinion BUT... The point is MPs are exploiting tax payers by deceitfully claiming expenses that they should not be. If they want higher salaries to compensate for their skills/stress levels etc., that is a different matter. But being deceitful and claiming expenses you are not entitled to is in effect stealing from a nation of tax paying individuals. I don't think people are jealous but actually annoyed about them being dishonest. People generally never complain about their base salaries do they? I never see complaints such as Gordon Brown/Alistair Darling are overpaid. Never. Wasn't the most recent story covered in the papers about the Home Secretary? She's fairly important Is it really deception? MPs are paid a base amount and there are set ways they can boost this, one of which is to claim for expenses. I don't think it's quite as clear cut as you make out. How else could they get remuneration for their work? It sounds to me like you've formed your opinion on the angle of a red top paper's coverage of the issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny g Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 I just did a google search on footballers salaries and was astounded. Yes they are grossly overpaid in my opinion BUT... I completely agree with you on this. They are massively overpaid - however, FA directives do mean that they have to be paid like a PAYE employee. This has a knock on effect of them paying huge tax back into the system - so it's the best of a bad bunch. Example: John Arne Riise's payslip when he was playing for the Red Sh1te (aka Liverpool). http://www.designerstalk.com/forums/attachments/general-discussion/3863d1193834229-john-arne-riise-wage-slip-dsc00222.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 MPs milking the system is basically corruption. Corruption is bad for the taxpayer, and ultimately bad for the MPs themselves because they need the public's trust in order to do their job effectively. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra_aero Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 An MP is job-title, for precisely that. A job. It should be treated and audited like a job. Yes, they have big decisions. But, so do other people. Doctors? Pilots? Drop the expenses and increase base salary to £100k. This would stop those who are in the job for the expenses and maybe bring out those who actually care for what they do. Agree Wasn't the most recent story covered in the papers about the Home Secretary? She's fairly important Is it really deception? MPs are paid a base amount and there are set ways they can boost this, one of which is to claim for expenses. I don't think it's quite as clear cut as you make out. How else could they get remuneration for their work? I agree they are given perks for the job they do and expenses is one of these perks. But as Johnny and I agree, the expenses shoudl be inline with what is reasonable and set out. Hiding and fixing numbers etc. is wrong. I also am with you that it may not be that clear cut and no I don't read red top newspapers as funny as that comment was . But at the same time I am not denying you may know more on the subject than I do. From what I have read and understood, it seems some MPs are deliberately trying to maximise their expense claims in any way they can. Jacqui Smith case in point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra_aero Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 MPs milking the system is basically corruption. Corruption is bad for the taxpayer, and ultimately bad for the MPs themselves because they need the public's trust in order to do their job effectively. 'Corruption' ...a very good word on this debate. Strong but I like it - "corruption" synonymous with Mugabe. Haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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