This is in response to Gattina's shout for Fun Monday Money participants. We are to show our wallets and money (if any) inside.
Since I never use a wallet I cannot show that, but here's our newest banknote, the Purple Twenty. Reversing the trend for a decline in aesthetic standards, this, the Bank of England's latest effort is quite classy in my view.
TODAY IS THE DAY most of the layabouts, the sick, depraved, work-&-claiming and desperately-seeking-employment brigades get paid by British Social Security.Our country's benefits bill is so enormous that all revenue from Income Tax covers this and this alone. All other government expenditure derives from the VAT sales tax, (which is levied not only on goods but professional services ~ when my book finally comes out I will have to pay VAT as a writer, once I go over about £45,000 ~ which I hope, of course, that I will... and the multitude of levies raised principally from smokers, drinkers and motorists (no wonder our country's in a mess!)
If and when I do ever get out of the nasty Benefits Trap, and truly am well enough to work and have a life (not going straight to bed suicidally exhausted and barely able to get out when the time rolls round for work again) ~ if I ever manage this, I will be so overjoyed I plan on leaving the country! Then I'll have a whole new set of banknotes to play with...
... hopefully piles and piles of 'em!!
I just have to wonder - why is it that you want so desperately to leave a country that has taken care of you?
ReplyDeleteNot to put you on the spot, or anything - but really?
My sister despises our mother who has provided her with probably 100's of thousands of dollars over the years. As much as I have my own problems with my mother for refusing to help me out, I don't understand my sister's seeming lack of thanks.
I would ask you the same question as Jeannie. Don't you think it would be nice for you to pay something back into the society that has kept you for so long if/when you make your millions?
ReplyDeleteThat is a v good question; I shall answer it in a post in a few mins...
ReplyDeleteI wish you well in your quest for many banknotes. If you leave the country, where would you like to go?
ReplyDeletePerhaps you wish to leave for a country with a better climate. That would be understandable. The climate of a place is of utmost importance when it comes to health and quality of life.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I gather, England is a very expensive place to live. Lord knows prices are going up here, which I think is a worldwide phenomenon anyway, but I don't think our cost of living is as high as the UK.
ReplyDeleteBTW, how's the book going? Mine's come to a bit of a halt at the moment, been busy with other things. However, I shall get going again...soon.
Trust me it's not that bad. I'd rather pay tax and have access to free health and social security than not frankly. At least sterling looks like real money, ours looks like plasticised Monopoly money
ReplyDeleteI like to visit other places but figure that most of what I like is here for all its flaws.
ReplyDeleteSyd: There is a saying: grow where you're planted. Which would be brilliant if I were a plant. But I don't have roots, I have feet. Itchy ones at that
ReplyDeleteIt looks extremely photogenic where you are
Molly: Switzerland! (It changes every other day: Spain/France/Germany/Austria/Italy/Morocco/Monaco/Japan...)
DUTA: yes! Switzerland for cool, fresh air! France for more sunshine. When I was younger I would have far preferred to live somehwhere like Egypt with "proper summers" hitting 50C/130F+ ~ I think I'm a bit old for all that now
PussInBoots: The book? Dragging along. "Once I have done another 2 chapters all will be fine" I tell myself
The cost of living: well there were articles on how shockingly expensive British supermarkets were, then again I don't think the survey people shopped like ordinary shoppers. My Aussie friends used to tell me in the late 90s that UK supermarkets were full of special offers, which theirs weren't. Most people, unless they're well to do, would vary what they buy according to what's on offer. Or even go to 2 supermarkets. Which I'm sure these survey people did not...
Baino: it's not tax that's the issue. I hate the way it's squandered. I'd more than happily pay for an NHS. Or to put it another way, I never minded paying before. In fact paying tax never bothered me. That's bc it was a steady job. Money from a book is a 1-off, and coughing more than 50% of that to the govt would irk me
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