BobbyZ

^^ The problem isnt the loopholes, the problem is the government are scared that if they force them into paying the correct tax even if they completely ring fenced it (which i dont think they could), they will all up and leave and as Ekona says, leaving 1000's unemployed.

 

No different to putting some duty etc on aviation fuel, total paranoia that they will move their UK head offices, which is the only reason there isnt any.

It sounds like you're talking about lower taxes for large companies - I was responding to the posts regarding using an accountant to find ways to pay lower tax.

It's a bit of a moot point whether people should willingly pay more tax than they have to or not, because lots of people won't anyway.

Review the loopholes / available tax breaks, and remove them if they're deemed unfair.

Of course someone has to pay for it. The point is about getting the most out of what goes in.

Your point about the US system isn't relevant, as I don't think anyone's ever held that up as an example of how to do things, and I'm sure I can find examples of inefficiency in the NHS easily enough. Being the best of a bad bunch doesn't mean that improving the system (as opposed to ploughing in more cash) wouldn't be a very good thing.

But the politicians are not business men or women as you say, most of them are career politicians, how would they know how to run a business and the big problem with running a business is you have to be ruthless (on the most part), you are never going to be popular if you make ruthless decision, i.e closing down coal mines, the steel industry, if you can buy it cheaper elsewhere why wouldnt you, thats what a business man or woman would do, if a politician was ruthless they would just loose votes.

I believe the phrases 'get someone in' and 'but willing to do it for the interests of the country rather than their own financial interests' address those issues

Easier said than done, of course.

EDIT: and yes, I agree that there would inevitably be some unpopular decisions to be made. You can't please everyone...

They need someone who has worked in the NHS to run it, they need someone who has been a teacher to run education. It absolutely baffles me when people with no experience in those fields try to run them and make massive decisions which can literally change peoples lives very quickly.

I don't see the necessity for someone to have worked in the industry. I feel that the NHS in its current form is becoming obsolete and is in need of a shake up, so maybe someone from outside the organisation would be better placed to do so. A fresh pair of eyes, as it were.

I think with organisations like the NHS though they do need to get someone in who knows what they're doing to sort it out / run it if things are going to get better. Someone ruthless and skilled enough to reorganise it into something that works properly, but willing to do it for the interests of the country rather than their own financial interests (I'm thinking a successful businessperson of some description).

Ah I see... the Internet strikes again

I think most people wouldn't mind Corbyn as their local MP, but Prime Minister is a step too far.

You know what, that's probably the best way of thinking of him I've ever heard. Absolutely spot-on, well said sir.

 

Seems harsh when our current PM claimed last week God told her he'd have voted Leave.

 

When an adult says they're hearing voices, they usually get a break from work. Say you believe an invisible, all poweful being guides you and your thoughts and apparently voters on both sides of the pond consider it desireable

Have you got a source for that? I can find an article in which Alastair Campbell tries to suggest it, but can't actually find a quote of her saying it.

https://voteforpolicies.org.uk/

 

That's the one that springs to mind. Run by volunteers, not associated with any party. Not been updated yet for this year, but I've no doubt it will be.

Well I don't like the idea of using a website to tell you who to vote for, although I'll concede that in many cases it's only as bad as looking to the media for guidance. Additionally, even if that one is legit, you can bet that if they catch on there will be a lot popping up that will skew results towards one party or another.

Even if we assume that the websites provide genuine guidance, I still maintain that you could force people to vote, but you couldn't force them to make an informed and well meaning vote.

I'm not familiar with these websites - who runs them?

There's also the question of whether people would bother to use them, if they couldn't be bothered to vote unless forced.

I'm in the middle of a good debate on FB at the moment with a mate of mine, discussing whether or not it should be a legal requirement to vote. I say yes, as my view is that if you don't vote you don't ever have a right to complain. His view is no, as many people don't care about politics until they find something really passionate to argue about.

 

For me, his reason kind of argues my point for me. If you're not going to pay an overall interest in how your life is run (which is what government basically does), then why should you ever be able to complain when they do actually do something you really don't like? There's so many websites out there now that let you tick a box to show which policy you agree with and then basically tell you who to vote for at the end, that it's inexcusable to not vote. Everyone has an opinion, might as well do something with it.

I wholeheartedly disagree with you. Unless you can force everyone to make an informed and well judged vote (which is hard enough even for intelligent people who care), it's just ridiculous to make it mandatory. Bear in mind that it could, in theory, result in literally any party getting in, no matter how abhorrent their policies, especially as it's inevitable that some of the 'reluctant' voters will inevitably vote for someone just for a laugh.

Furthermore, does turning up to tick a random box just because you have to make your complaints any more or less valid? I don't see how it could.

I think with Corbyn it's as much a problem with his image as his values and policies. The guy looks like a hobo, and is about as inspirational as a derelict ****house. Fair play to him for sticking to his principles though.

I think calling the GE is the right decision - May needs a solid position to negotiate Brexit from. As she mentioned, all the other parties trying to shoot her down at every turn will only turn the whole thing into a mess (or rather, ensure that it stays as one).

I quite like May as a leader as well - I think so far she seems to be doing a decent job, although of course the real judgement will come a few years down the line. I also think she's a fairly good public speaker so I'm not sure she would fair that badly in TV debates, but she does seem to be quite reserved with a preference for avoiding the circus that modern politics has become (a good thing IMO). For me TV debates are a bit of a gimmick anyway, and of limited use in showing the value of someone as a leader.

I'll be voting Conservative (as usual) - they're the most closely aligned to my values, and also the only credible political party in the country at this moment in time IMO.

It depends partly on your priorities, but having the right width of tyre for the rim will give you the best performance, as that's what the tyre's designed for. Having a stretched set up is only really good if you want to go for that look. You also need to make sure you don't deviate too far from stock in terms of rolling radius so that you don't have TC problems.

Around 255 width would be about right for a 9.5' rim.

Regarding brands, MPSS are the standard recommendation around here, but there are lots of other tyres that people here have been happy with.

Sounds painful...

Does the CAI sound better than the stock intakes?

Aren't all the trident subs docked at the moment?

I thought there was always one out at sea?

Yeah that's the policy.

I work in the City so if they nuked London I'd be pretty screwed.

I say go for it, but that's only for selfish reasons as it's interesting to see people trying such things.

As the guys above said, it's a huge job to do it right. Do it wrong and it will look like a heap, and you'll have ruined a good car. Your choice if you have the cash to blow on it

Regarding the front bumper, I'm not sure the Nismo front will go well with the RB arches.

Nice! Is the bumper on yet?

I think they look stunning, and not one to 'go with the crowd' would have one in the blink of an eye over and R8 - I mean if we are talking badge snobbery its no worse.

Well German badges tend to be higher in the badge snobbery league than Japanese ones.

How silly. I defo wouldn't buy a car with that 'feature'.

Well now I might just as well kill myself and be done with it

 

 

You'll all be delighted to know I nearly had a poo this morning! First one in over a week! Wasn't quite a turtle head, but I reckon that monster will pop out to say hello later on today.

Update please... the suspense is nearly killing me

This doesn't sound fun - hope you get fixed soon Dan!

At least there's a hot nurse to take your mind off the situation a bit.

He's not funny, but he thinks he is. He's paid amazingly well and the least he could do is show some respect to the team that works hard for him and the fans that turn up to see him. One word answers in interviews and sounding like you'd rather be anywhere else is simply not fair, and it's a little bit pathetic tbh. I think he's a dull driver too, no flair or clever racer's mind, just a moaning old man who is very much Seb's bitch.

 

He's the biggest knob in F1 right now, and that takes some doing when Lewis is in full gangsta-mode!

I'd love to see Kimi return to his former greatness anyway, but even more so just to stop you ranting about him

I wouldn't say it's a particularly good looking car. Supercars always look impressive in the flesh because of the proportions, but it doesn't take a design prodigy to make a car low and wide.

That said, I do quite like the bit where the rear 3/4 meets the door - gives it a nice muscular look.