Saturday 18 April 2009

How to downsize the government

Inspired by this:

1. Abolish Pay As You Earn,
2. All taxes to be paid in person, in cash, on April 5.
3. Any council, parliamentary or European election may only take place between April 10 and April 20.

Oh, and people who don't pay tax, don't get a vote.

10 comments:

Timothy Wallace said...

2 things:

Firstly, I don't think there is actually enough cash (last time I looked, there was enough actual physical money for roughly £400 each) - you'd have to pay by card.

Secondly, what about sales taxes, like VAT - or would they just be put on a separate bill, paid at the same time as the purchse?

Gordon said...

During the Blair/Brown campaign against "rip-off Britain" one of the solutions mentioned was that supermarkets would have to show the cost to them alongside the price. This got ditched as soon as they responded by saying they'd show the tax as well. (Not that relevant to the main post but slightly relevant to Tim W's response).

While I wouldn't go as far as tax on April 5th, I do think that if people had to write a cheque to the government every month for the tax rather than having it taken out before it reached our bank account then a lot more people would care about politics. I have friends who don't care about tax because they never see the money in the first place

nbc said...

I would also suggest that one's elected representatives be present that day to answer questions from the taxpayer.

Obnoxio The Clown said...

Firstly, I don't think there is actually enough cash (last time I looked, there was enough actual physical money for roughly £400 each) - you'd have to pay by card.Well ... that would certainly limit the amount of tax they'd get, wouldn't it? :o)

Secondly, what about sales taxes, like VAT - or would they just be put on a separate bill, paid at the same time as the purchse?I'm just talking about NI and Income Tax, really. Just those two things would completely stuff the government.

Timothy Wallace said...

Yes, I agree. When can we start?

Whilst I admit I am a student, and so pay rather less than people who do real work, whenever I have had jobs (mainly at Northern Rock, so its been a while) I have seen rage, frustration and tears on pay day when people see how much of their income (and particularly their overtime) goes on taxation.

It would be fantastic if there was a communal realisation (on April 5th) which made voter do something about it.

Mr Eugenides said...

4. People who don't pay tax don't get to comment on blog posts about tax...

...just kidding, Tim.

Yes, fabulous idea. I'd like to see these bastards knocking on doors in election week when the tax bills have just arrived on peoples' doorsteps.

"Jesus, Hilda, look at this! PAYMENT IS DUE IMMEDIATELY. We don't have that sort of fucking money! Where are we - hang on, there's the doorbell..."

Dr Evil said...

Does paying VAT count? Does paying fuel duty count? Insurance premium duty? Airport tax? Road tax? There is no fucking way you can avoid tax unless you squat in a cave and starve.

I work for myself so I can set a few things against tax re income but the bastards still expect a return. I so do hate this government and their extra, additional stealth taxes. And they still have run out of money. Proves what a bunch of toxic wastrels they really are.

Fidothedog said...

Add elected judges and chief police officers, close all fucking quango's.

Then no taxes what so fucking ever, in any damn shape form or stealth tax without a full vote of the people.

Plus no HM Govt cash for the fake charities.

Odin's Raven said...

The more tax you pay, the more votes you can have; say 1 vote per £1,000 of income tax and N.1.

Only tax producers can vote. Tax consumers - except the military, should have no votes.

Whole ministries and quangos could be closed.

Govt expenditure should be immediately halved, from about 44% of GDP, with subsequent annual budget reductions. 10% is enough for the basic functions of defence, justice and diplomacy.

Solve economic problems by letting people save and spend their own money.

Roger Thornhill said...

I am not so sure about "pay tax get vote". I'd rather it be "paid by the state?, get no vote".

Of course, on Planet Thornhillia IV, Doctors, Nurses and Teachers are not employed by the State.


But the gist of Fried man's thoughts are sound.