Tax avoiders should be named and shamed

[The Spartan]

Agreed, and this must also involve an examination of what government is for; how have we reached the point that taxes of over 50% in many European countries are needed to finance the state's outgoings?

Spot on I couldn't agree more, it's not as if the money is being spent on services etc

[Platypus]

Indeed and the coalition dropped the 50% tax band to 45% because, they said, it raises more money if the rate is lower.

Of course, lowering taxes "for the rich" can never work in practice because the prols are too stupid to see the benefits.

And now with the Libdems wanting to tax jewellery they're playing to that gallery.

[Mich the Tester]

Indeed and the coalition dropped the 50% tax band to 45% because, they said, it raises more money if the rate is lower.

Of course, lowering taxes "for the rich" can never work in practice because the prols are too stupid to see the benefits.

And now with the Libdems wanting to tax jewellery they're playing to that gallery.

Erm, that is almost Robinho-like in its stupidity. Who's going to value it all? Who's going to find it all once it's lying around in Swiss bank vaults?

Oh, and extremely illiberal, I should add.

[Platypus]

Erm, that is almost Robinho-like in its stupidity. Who's going to value it all? Who's going to find it all once it's lying around in Swiss bank vaults?

Oh, and extremely illiberal, I should add.

Don't worry it was only a "consultation paper", and Clegg and Cable are now trying to distance themselves from the more stupid recommendations.

EDIT: but IMO it shows where the LibDems' hearts are.

[The Spartan]

Indeed and the coalition dropped the 50% tax band to 45% because, they said, it raises more money if the rate is lower.

Of course, lowering taxes "for the rich" can never work in practice because the prols are too stupid to see the benefits.

And now with the Libdems wanting to tax jewellery they're playing to that gallery.

IMHO 45% is still too high, tax and duty on petrol is extortionate and for the majority of things that are bought in the UK 20% again is VAT it adds up to a staggering amount if you start totting up these stealth taxes in addition to the proportion of tax you pay on your earnings (assuming a regular Joe here)

[VectraMan]

Spot on I couldn't agree more, it's not as if the money is being spent on services etc

What do you think all the money is being spent on?

Perhaps we need to find a way of taking tax out of the hands of the politicians. Let the government come up with a budget, and let some independent commission handle the details of raising the money. It'd stop governments getting us hopelessly in debt too. After all, it's meddling with the tax system to try to achieve some political goal that leads to all the complexities, and therefore the avoidance.

[DodgyAgent]

What do you think all the money is being spent on?

Perhaps we need to find a way of taking tax out of the hands of the politicians. Let the government come up with a budget, and let some independent commission handle the details of raising the money. It'd stop governments getting us hopelessly in debt too. After all, it's meddling with the tax system to try to achieve some political goal that leads to all the complexities, and therefore the avoidance.

who would you suggest should be on an independent commission?

[The Spartan]

What do you think all the money is being spent on?

Public sector wages and pensions, the welfare state, I would love to say the NHS but anyone can see it's going down the pan at the moment and I can see why I read a really good article on the impact of obesity on the NHS and it was a real eye opener. Staff injured severely lifting patients or having patients fall on them

[d000hg]

who would you suggest should be on an independent commission?

Obviously it should be run by the civil service

[Mich the Tester]

who would you suggest should be on an independent commission?

Some stingy bastards.