Benefits spending under review, says Treasury

Benefits spending under review, says Treasury

www.bbc.co.uk

Another option that could be open to the government is to pay the benefits to all, whatever their income, but to "taper" them so that the poorest in society get the most money....

...The coalition agreement pledges to "protect key benefits for older people such as the winter fuel payment", but does not rule out reform....

..."But today we hear the work and pensions secretary is planning to cut this support that so many pensioners depend on. This is a shocking betrayal of pensioners."

(visit the link for the full news article)

While I don't want poor elderly people dying due to cold weather, this story reeks of what many of us think is wrong with our government and welfare states.

I cringe just reading the first paragraph, "the poorest in society get the most money...". Why do the poorest get the most money? From whom do they get it? How do the taxpayers, who may be just above a "benefit" level economically, how can they afford their own benefits paying for others?

"The government is reviewing the amount it spends on universal welfare payments such as child benefit and the winter fuel allowance. Such payments - dubbed "middle class" benefits because they are available to all including the better-off, who might not need them - could be frozen. "

Not only do the middle class pay for the poorest, they are continually losing their own meager benefits.

www.bbc.co.uk
(visit the link for the full news article)



[edit on 18-8-2010 by BenIndaSun]

When does socialism die, when the redistributors run out of other people's money.

I always ask, what is the cost of the redistribution. How much actually gets to the supposed poor?

It is a ponzei scheme. At least in the US, I would imagine that MAYBE 10% of the tax dollars go to the intended beneficiaries. The rest goes to the distribution network-i.e. the government.

Oh the humor.

Originally posted by saltheart foamfollower
When does socialism die, when the redistributors run out of other people's money.

I always ask, what is the cost of the redistribution. How much actually gets to the supposed poor?

It is a ponzei scheme. At least in the US, I would imagine that MAYBE 10% of the tax dollars go to the intended beneficiaries. The rest goes to the distribution network-i.e. the government.

Oh the humor.

And the scheme is sold to us as "to each according to their need, and from each according to their ability", and most people blindly follow and comply.

reply to post by BenIndaSun


Yep, could YOU imagine if everyone was allowed to keep every dime they actually earned?

Now, taxation system base on consumption would be one way.

Another taxation on only companies profits.

There are numerous ways to set things up right. They will never be done though.

Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

What we are seeing in the US is that the control mechanisms like the teachers and the police will continue their money, everyone else's taxes will go up and all the other support mechanisms will be dismantled.

Oh well. Keep safe and prepare.

Originally posted by saltheart foamfollower
reply to post by BenIndaSun

 

Yep, could YOU imagine if everyone was allowed to keep every dime they actually earned?

Not imagine, I dream that. I would rather earn half of what I make and keep ALL of it than earn a little more and know it goes to someone else that I don't even know.

Now, taxation system base on consumption would be one way.

Another taxation on only companies profits.

There are numerous ways to set things up right. They will never be done though.

I can agree with the consumption tax. That may actually help curb some of the issues we now have with people borrowing too much money, credit cards, etc.

I think if a company doesn't rely on the government (which is rare if not impossible these days), they shouldn't have to pay for everyone else either. Seeing as how they are composed of individuals.

Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

What we are seeing in the US is that the control mechanisms like the teachers and the police will continue their money, everyone else's taxes will go up and all the other support mechanisms will be dismantled.

Oh well. Keep safe and prepare.

Will try on the last two. There have been 4 armed robberies, no exaggeration, on my street or adjacent streets in the last 2 months. Times midnight-5 am. Kind of scary when people are getting desperate. This isn't that bad of a neighborhood, or at least it used to not be.