Cameron hails breakthrough tax deal in Europe

[Mich the Tester]

Err, no - they keep them as big cash reserves mostly - especially Apple.

Still preferable to politicians running up debts that I'll have to repay for the rest of my working life. What working life? Do I expect a pension? Hmm? Nurse? Bring me my reality pills!

[AtW]

Still preferable to politicians running up debts that I'll have to repay for the rest of my working life.

Politicians have to borrow because there are not enough tax revenues.

There are two main reasons to this:

1) they spend too much to buy votes

2) they don't collect full amount of tax due, especially from very large corporations

[Mich the Tester]

Politicians have to borrow because there are not enough tax revenues.

There are two main reasons to this:

1) they spend too much to buy votes

2) they don't collect full amount of tax due, especially from very large corporations

No, there is one reason; they spend what they think they're going to get instead of what they have.

[AtW]

No, there is one reason; they spend what they think they're going to get instead of what they have.

No, the real reason is that they suffer from severe deficiency in numeracy... or honesty!

[OwlHoot]

And thereby provide books, computers and other apparatus that can be used by people to do productive and useful things. Give it to the government and they'll provide a few more speed bumps and lesbian outreach officers and still run up a debt.

Absolutely! When will people get the message - "A skint Government is a healthy government!"

and that isn't a whimsical saying meant to be comical, but the underlying reason for the freedoms we enjoy today.

Heaven preserve us from a Government flush with cash, like the Saudis today or English sovereigns like Henry VIII and William the Conqueror in the past.

So in short, people like AtW who applaud the government for trying to winkle more money out of tax avoiders and large corporations (who will only pass it on to consumers), are muppets.

[AtW]

So in short, people like AtW who applaud the government for trying to winkle more money out of tax avoiders and large corporations (who will only pass it on to consumers), are muppets.

This reminds me - where is Beaker?

[doodab]

We never hear anyone challenging how the tax is spent

Yes we do. We hear it all the ******* time.

[DodgyAgent]

Yes we do. We hear it all the ******* time.

Not from lefties we don't. Nor will lefties criticise public services. This is because they see tax as a punishment for peope who are richer than themselves and they feel that patronising public services (dont attack state schools it will undermine their morale - but I would not send my own kids to one!) gives themselves moral virtue.

[AtW]

they see tax as a punishment for peope who are richer than themselves

Do you feel being punished?