Reply to: What Bono should be saying

[shaunbhoy]

What do the government do with tax that Jagger could'nt spend better himself?

We could all apply that logic.
I expect most contractors could spend your percentage far more wisely than you do too.

[DodgyAgent]

Well FWIW, Bono and the rest of the band come from Dublin. Dublin is the capital of a country whereby they have a Tax Regime that is very friendly towards the super-rich. The Irish pragmatically figure that it is better to get a small percentage of tax from the colossally wealthy, than a large percentage of fook-all if they take their wealth elsewhere.
Bono, for one, has a residence in Dublin, and if he chooses to take advantage of the tax regime in his native land, then who the fook else has a right to complain about that, particularly on a forum like this?
If people really want to get arsey with someone over the non-payment of taxes then why are they not jumping all over dried-up old has-beens like "Sir" Mick Fecking Jagger who has spent a lifetime dodging his taxation responsibilities?

What do the government do with tax that Jagger could'nt spend better himself?

[Sysman]

Well FWIW, Bono and the rest of the band come from Dublin. Dublin is the capital of a country whereby they have a Tax Regime that is very friendly towards the super-rich. The Irish pragmatically figure that it is better to get a small percentage of tax from the colossally wealthy, than a large percentage of fook-all if they take their wealth elsewhere.
Bono, for one, has a residence in Dublin, and if he chooses to take advantage of the tax regime in his native land, then who the fook else has a right to complain about that, particularly on a forum like this?

Except in spite of Ireland's tax policies for artists, U2's tax base is in Amsterdam.

The band moved their company U2 Limited to Netherlands a half a year before the new rules came to pass. U2 Limited handles the royalties received from the group recordings – unlike many other acts the band owns all of the copyrights to their songs. It is based in Amsterdam. And one of its directors is Jan Favie - the man who handled similar vehicle for The Rolling Stones back in the days.

WIf people really want to get arsey with someone over the non-payment of taxes then why are they not jumping all over dried-up old has-beens like "Sir" Mick Fecking Jagger who has spent a lifetime dodging his taxation responsibilities?

Nope. The Rolling Stones had no choice but to move to France when they did, for if they'd stayed in the UK they had no chance of keeping enough post tax income to clear the previous year's tax demands. So they did their time in France and paid those taxes owed.

It's a bit different when you look at it that way. Besides, the establishment at the time were using the tax system to drive what they saw as the bad influence of the Stones out of business. Tough luck that they lost out on the worldwide income from the band. Sweden presumably took a different approach with Abba, who earned lots for their home country.

If you want to pick on someone, try those who essentially work in England and make their money out of UK based businesses but don't pay taxes there. Phillip Green and Monaco's UK commuters.

[shaunbhoy]

Well FWIW, Bono and the rest of the band come from Dublin. Dublin is the capital of a country whereby they have a Tax Regime that is very friendly towards the super-rich. The Irish pragmatically figure that it is better to get a small percentage of tax from the colossally wealthy, than a large percentage of fook-all if they take their wealth elsewhere.
Bono, for one, has a residence in Dublin, and if he chooses to take advantage of the tax regime in his native land, then who the fook else has a right to complain about that, particularly on a forum like this?
If people really want to get arsey with someone over the non-payment of taxes then why are they not jumping all over dried-up old has-beens like "Sir" Mick Fecking Jagger who has spent a lifetime dodging his taxation responsibilities?

[DodgyAgent]

Re the subject title of What Bono should be saying

"I am retiring from life. Effective immediately."

FTFY

[Sysman]

Re the subject title of What Bono should be saying

"I am retiring from public life. Effective immediately."

[lilelvis2000]

I love Elton's early stuff and his latest stuff...all his coke influenced work is pure rubbish. And I'm sure he'll admit it himself. I seem to recall Elton saying that he learned piano at the age of 3, and he was quite good even then!

U2's Music is pretty good, guitar work can at times be brilliant. But it just isn't to my liking.

I totally agree however that paying taxes means putting into a plumbing system where £1 goes in and about £0.02 comes out in some useful way. And frankly, a lot of tax money was simply being given to charities that wasted it thinking they were on a never ending gravy train. I can't figure out why Bono would go around telling everyone else to pay taxes knowing all that.

Good on U2 for avoiding wasting their money. And good on the govt. for ending that gravy train.

[Lockhouse]

I hate Elton John - my musical taste stylometer is locked in 1959. However that apart, I did see him at The Rosebowl a few years ago and give the guy his due, he plays a mean 88 - I was really surprised, I thought he'd be like Bobby Crush but he can seriously play that piano.

[Gibbon]

The Clash were pish as well, Stummer dropped his faux politics when bragging about his new record deal and how it was going to make him richer than Johnny Rotten.

The clash were just the last generation's U2, politics, attitude and too much leather.

Well I have have nothing but fond memories of Joe; he ****ed the touts off at Manchester Apollo by letting all of us without tickets in for free. Stayed around after the concert chatting to me and my mates and then inviting us out on the town.

[minestrone]

Please, please refrain from mentioning in the same thread as the Clash.

The Clash were pish as well, Stummer dropped his faux politics when bragging about his new record deal and how it was going to make him richer than Johnny Rotten.

The clash were just the last generation's U2, politics, attitude and too much leather.

[Gibbon]

Elton was a muscial god until he got totally wired on coke.

Bono is a front man for a new wave/punk/soft rock/pop multiple crossover band who have a big budget for touring and a hankering for the sentimental songs you hate. Perfect way of making money in the 80s, somewhere in between the clash and bananarama with songs about American politics.

Kerching!!

Please, please refrain from mentioning in the same thread as the Clash.

[minestrone]

Elton was a muscial god until he got totally wired on coke.

Bono is a front man for a new wave/punk/soft rock/pop multiple crossover band who have a big budget for touring and a hankering for the sentimental songs you hate. Perfect way of making money in the 80s, somewhere in between the clash and bananarama with songs about American politics.

Kerching!!

[lukemg]

First an admission - watched Piers interviewing Elton. Second, interesting comment from Elton, 'yes I love spending money, I live in England, pay my taxes, work hard and when I spend it goes back into the economy' - Well said that man !!
Clearly pouring the money into a black hole called the government is the least efficient way to use it for individuals, spend it or give it away if you have too much !!!

[DodgyAgent]

And all agents are lying parasites.

tI heard you were a good bloke

[Gibbon]

Bono.. I loathe him probably more than anyone else (yes agents view more than you )


if on the other hand Bono decides to spend his money on tax where will it go?

1 Paying perfectly healthy and able people not to work
2. paying public sector workers to not deliver services and to spend most of their supposed working lives taking time off
3. ripping the heart out of individualism and enterprise and forcing more and more people to depend upon the evil self serving agencies of the state.

And all agents are lying parasites.