Topic: Do you think the government listens ?

[Flunky]

I have been thinking of this for quite a while.

I have been listening to the news from Crewe and the government are saying about how they are going to listen to the public.

When will these people actually start to solve some of these problems. They will quite happily bail out a broken bank. But what about the price of fuel, food, taxes etc etc etc.

I am taxed to get to work, i am taxed while I am work and then on the way home. While having my tea I pay tax on averything on my plate and then, when I go out to try and enjoy the labours of hard work I am bl00dy well taxed there as well. It is really starting to get to me.

I dont want this to turn into a political rant because they are nigh on all the same. I dont think it matters who you vote for. But just cant understand why we put up with it. I really thought we were a stronger nation of people. Never seen so much non action.

What do you guys think ? Do you feel the government listens ?

[ACE]

Sorry. Did you say something?



You are right though, everybody seem to be sitting on their hands at the moment.

[theothermarg]

re that vote the other day1
I really thought they should change abortions to 20 weeks and I firmly believe children are better off with a mum and dad,cannot change the fact that it isn,t possible in a lot of cases but this does seem a step too far for me
sitting on the fence about the embryo/hybrid thing, cannot decide
marg

[OllieC]

sitting on the fence about the embryo/hybrid thing, cannot decide

I agree that the other issues are a matter of morals but this it is not destroying or creating life; so there is no room for a moral objection except by those who oversimplify religion and science...

But no, government don't listen.

[Suzanne]

Probably not as much as people would like - but a darn sight more than some so called governments around the world. At least we are able to vote them out if not entirely happy, and then when the next lot b****s it up we can vote them out as well.  :)

Unfortunately most of us - myself included are slightly over optimistic when each parties manifesto come out ahead of an election. I read the spiel and sometimes even am gullible enough to believe it - but somewhere it all goes awry.

On the taxes front I am afraid I do believe we need to pay taxes so the whole of society benefits and not just the wealthy. A lot of people are currently moaning about the NHS - well go back 20 years when it was starved of cash under the Tories to fund tax cuts and then look at what we have now (warts and all) and you will realise its a lot better. You get what you pay for and this is as true of a welfare system as when you go to the shops.

 :o Gosh sorry about the rant - but politics seem to set me off.    ;D

[redimp]

Voters have now forgotten just how bad life under the Tories was and I for one believe that is a very dangerous thing to forget.  I am guilty, I look round at what we have now and want more but i was at school during the eighties when we had to shre books that were twice as old as we were and buildings were falling apart etc.  I also waited for hours in the Tory casualty departments.  The people were always as good generally but the infrastructure and resourcing stank.

[Flunky]

Thanks for you replies so far 150 views and 19 votes.

I agree about the tax thing, we should pay tax and as I said its not about this government or that. This could be tory or labour or whoever. Just wish they would listen not just steam roller over us all the time. If you had a contract (manifesto) that you based your decision who to vote for on and they did not do it then there should be some sort re-course. My main gripe is the sheer speed at which things are increasing and the total spin etc that the govenrment put on it.

[Mr Smith]

When New Labour MP's start to whine like they have done in the last few days I love it, mind you two of the rats have left the sinking free loading ship to make a few bob in other places namely Bambi and Prezza :)

[Flunky]

In the Sun today (i know I know) it has actually levelled exactly what I am thinking at the politicians. They are doing nothing. Also I have been reading with interest about the expenses debate has been swepped under the carpet and now they want to change how they do it so they dont have to disclose. OMG. Whats going on ? I cant afford to drive to work and they are claiming £10,000 for a kitchen !!!!

[daileg]

i agree totally im sick and tired of the gov past and present making up rules for themselves as allready mentioned this country has had to tighten there belts the price of things these days is scandelous dont start me on petrol , its time we all had somthing to say as we all are thinking about it . pay increase are well below inflation i am worse off this year at least 25 % as a result of fuel costs , petrol,food what next tax me for having thoughts next 

[powerspade]

The only sound any politician hears is the sound of their own voice

[ACE]

I like the new government directive of showing porn films on mini screens at petrol stations.

Just to show that you are not the only one being shafted when you are filling up.

[Flunky]

I always thought thats why they sell grease.  ;D

[grawrc]

I think they all just tweak things whereas what is required is a radical rethink about how we collect revenue and how, what and who we tax. The benefits system stinks and is abused left right and centre. No wonder we are disgruntled. It doesn't seem to matter who is in power so the ballot box is no solution.

[valmarg]

A lot of people are currently moaning about the NHS - well go back 20 years when it was starved of cash under the Tories to fund tax cuts and then look at what we have now (warts and all) and you will realise its a lot better. You get what you pay for and this is as true of a welfare system as when you go to the shops.

As an employee in the NHS during the 60s and 70s, I can assure you that it was not the Tories who starved the NHS of funds.  Between 1974 and 1979 Harold Wilson/Jim Callaghan were responsible for systematically starving the NHS of funds.

valmarg

[rosebud]

No they do not listen & I am not listening to them at the next election i am NOT going to vote   I KNOW I KNOW, freedom & all that but i cannot believe  anything they say or do they are fleecing us every which way they can.

We pay the highest fuel tax in Europe & who bloody cares NOT them, ANY of them, so they will have to pay a high price come an election.

Sorry rant over ;D

[valmarg]

Rosebud, I have always voted in elections, mainly because 100 years ago I would not have been allowed to.  If it hadn't been for the suffragettes I probably still wouldn't be.  Its a silly old fashioned thing :(

I think the reason most people don't vote nowadays is because (apart from taxing us into extinction), this government doesn't have much say on what goes on in the UK.  The EU diktats overule anything this government does.

When you are ruled by an unelected bunch of self seeking beaurocrats who have their snouts even deeper in the gravy train trough than the 'home grown' variety the only thing you are left with is despair.

valmarg

[Larkshall]

I start from the premise that all journalists are liars, some worse than others. I now extend this to politicians. I always vote, not for Labour or Conservative. In our constituency the alternative is the second strongest vote, but if I don't like their policies I spoilt the paper. That way it has to be counted but does not count for any party.

[Ishard]

I am so very sick of governments being my nanny  >:( I dont need a nanny as Im all grown up now.

I work hard and drive a good car and so does my husband for which we will pay horrendous charges in tax with fuel and road tax.

BTW Hubby pays for my car because I care for my mother who has alzheimers. I provide ( I retired early from Nursing to do this) 24/7 care for which the government thinks is worth 45 pounds per week!!! If I didnt care for Mum she would go into a home and cost the NHS 900 pounds per week!!!

And as she has a house they will sell it to pay for her care and if that still isnt enough they can charge ME her top up fees, by which time I dont get carers allowance and have been out of the job market for so long I may not get another job.
There is no other medical condition that these rules apply to. >:( >:(

No I dont think this government listens, at least not to ordinary working class people they dont!!! And whats worse is that they dont care that they dont listen!!

If they carry on like this there will be major civil unrest.

When Hubby retires we will go and live abroad

[Flunky]

We pay the highest fuel tax in Europe & who bloody cares NOT them, ANY of them, so they will have to pay a high price come an election.

Sorry rant over ;D

Why should they. I have been considering this since I posted this. They dont live in a world where they have to worry about fuel costs, bills, living expenses Beacause they can claim a lot back and they earn enough not to have to worry about the rest It always seems to be the ones that work the hardest that get hit the hardest. If you paid an MP an average wage and told them they have to pay everything we do. I think then and only then will we start to see a change.

F.