Financial experts and lay persons

[ThomasSoerensen]

Yes lets jump on the anti-democratic bandwagon because we know that works

Or an alternative way could be that for every initiative to spend, a source of funding has to be created. Apply the same principles as double entry accounting.

Then people can be informed of where the money spent in the initiative is coming from, ie. see a tax increase of x amount and then they can choose if they want the spending initiative or not.

[Mich the Tester]

Or an alternative way could be that for every initiative to spend, a source of funding has to be created.

Or perhaps go further; government may only spend as much as it gained in revenues the previous year, and may not go on spending based on 'projections'.

[Mich the Tester]

people can be informed of where the money spent in the initiative is coming from, ie. see a tax increase of x amount and then they can choose if they want the spending initiative or not.

Also a good idea. Trouble is, many people will then say 'tax that bloke up the road with the posh car instead of me'.

[ThomasSoerensen]

Or perhaps go further; government may only spend as much as it gained in revenues the previous year, and may not go on spending based on 'projections'.

I agree.

But can you imagine the change in lifestyle for most, if it was implemented.

[sasguru]

Some might do it again. Greece's populace seem to be getting rather angry as are many Spaniards. Neither have a long history of stable democracy.

Never liked those Spaniards much anyway. Always wondered how they got so prosperous so quickly after Franco. Answer is they didn't. Let them regress beck to their infantile state of needing a papa figure.
On the other hand I do like the Greeks.

[ThomasSoerensen]

Also a good idea. Trouble is, many people will then say 'tax that bloke up the road with the posh car instead of me'.

Yes, and since most are not "that bloke with the posh car" then the politicians, relying on voters, will not do the sensible and tax all fairly. they will again pander to the lowes common denominator and overtax the people with initiative. Then the people with initiative leaves in dusgust and the country is left with the benefit scroungers.

[Mich the Tester]

I agree.

But can you imagine the change in lifestyle for most, if it was implemented.

Yes. It would involve at the very least;
- forget retiring on a state pension at 65, from tomorrow morning that will become 66 or even 67
- forget full time education from 18 to 22 unless you're selected to go to university. Your children will be working part time and getting their education part time from age 18. If they eventually do turn out to have the talent to go to university, it'll be part time or on the OU.
- no more child benefits
- no more mortgage interest tax relief as it only encourages you to borrow too much
- you will accept that if you want cheap vegetables AND a social security system, there will be immigrants living in your town doing the work you don't want to do

et cetera, et cetera

[ThomasSoerensen]

Never liked those Spaniards much anyway. Always wondered how they got so prosperous so quickly after Franco. Answer is they didn't. Let them regress beck to their infantile state of needing a papa figure.
On the other hand I do like the Greeks.

Amazingly rational comment - NOT!

You are not exactly increasing your reputation with comments like this.

[sasguru]

Amazingly rational comment - NOT!

You are not exactly increasing your reputation with comments like this.

I quite dislike the Danes too. Bent over right away, all ready and lubed up, when Hitler came visiting.
At least the Greeks put up a fight.

[ThomasSoerensen]

I quite dislike the Danes too. Bent over right away, all ready and lubed up, when Hitler came visiting.
At least the Greeks put up a fight.

I agree with you completely.

Too bad for you that I am not one of those "patriotic" ones who feels proud of where they are born even though they did absolutely nothing to earn their luck.

If I thought Denmark was great don't you think I would still live there.

Some of us can compete globally and still get good contracts.