What recession?

The Taxpayers Alliance has been in the news quite a bit over the weekend, with their 34 plans to save the country money during the recession.

Of course, that’s save the country money, but most likely push up the cost of goods and services for you and I. Their plans include abolishing bus fuel duty (push up fares), or to abolish the free TV license (given to those over 75, who deserve it most). Doesn’t sound like the most thought out plans I’ve ever came across to save money. Their plans would, inevitably, raise unemployment, and ergo raise taxes to pay for the unemployed.

The motto of the Taxpayers Alliance is “Campaigning for lower taxes and better Government”. Lower taxes? We pay less than Ireland, less than some European countries. Isn’t it about time we tried to pay our way fairly and squarely? You pay a pittance, you get shit.

My local Council recently refurbished buildings with the lowest quality materials, after 5 years the repair bill is growing by the month as an endless stream of workmen come out to repair anything from windows to door handles, so that they can fail again a few months down the line.

We don’t need toxic unelected organisations such as the Taxpayers Alliance trying to run the country into the ground. We need investment, wise planning of how to spend our money. Tax is a fairly socialist concept, we each pay our share, and we each benefit in the areas we need to. We each have a say on where we think our money should be going. We need to use it more, otherwise the voices of the handful within this taxpayers lot will make it worse for all of us.

When all is said and done, the Taxpayers Alliance can’t really do all that much. Why don’t they stand for Parliament, instead of blubbering away on the sidelines?

Other ideas they are thinking about? Removing some means tested benefits, removing child benefit from those who earn more than (probably) around 16k. The aim, I think, is to create a two-tier country, rich vs poor. And somewhere in the middle will be you.

Who supports the anti-socialist people who don’t believe in paying their own way? Directors of the following companies have loaned their support to the alliance – giving them money is supporting their stance.

Scotprime Seafoods (via parent company Seafood Holdings Ltd

Westler Foods – as in the hot dogs you get in the cinema

Blackwell – the bookshop

Arriva – the bus and train company

Hutchison Whampoa (Europe) Ltd – the people behind mobile firm “3″ and “The Perfume Shop”

Rocco Forte Hotels

Air Foyle

Tesco

Top UP TV

Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd

Telstar Music