Why do you object to the NHS being protected RH? I’d say it was one of the most important things to be protected…

Because I am sure that there is wasteful expenditure and inefficiency in that massive department as much as there is in every other department. And in the state we are in I do not believe that anything should be sacrosanct. I must add that front-line services, i.e. those that benefit the user directly, should be protected in every department.

We do not have either the best or the most efficient health service in the world – in the WHO pecking order I think we are about 18th. However the NHS, supporting a population of about 60 million, is the 4th largest employer IN THE WORLD.

Something does not add up, does it?

We don’t want to disappoint you, Blue….;)

Well, firstly, he has clearly stated he is not reluctant and secondly, although you may not like it, the Queen is the Queen of the United Kingdom. Sorry old fruit, but that’s the way it is.;)

Leaving aside how it will affect us personally, because some of us will feel more protected than others, I though it was pretty much as expected.

I am not sure that the government has the power to define the remuneration packages of independent banks. In the state owned sector, that is another matter, of course. I cannot share the universal vilification of this small group of people – I am far more exercised by the necessity to make the reductions across the public sector, which have promised. Although I do not think that health and international aid should have been excluded from the 25% figure.

I remain unconvinced that the additional 2.5% VAT will affect consumption. 25p on every £10 spent, I would suggest is little more than people already feel with inflationary increases. A greater affect will be on those who feel worse off in their pockets after the tax changes next year.

Only the Dalai Lama would get my respect from the above mentioned persons.

To the others I would just say ” thats some nice get up your wearing there, how about selling it and feeding some starving people or getting someone off the street. Oh yeah sorry thats just what you tell us to do while you live in luxury. Your so called Christ never lived like you do, he never needed some monstrosity of a cathedral, and I dont think he was that keen on child molestration !”

Back on topic – It does not matter how much the royal family give in tax, they should be taxed they are just people living their lives like the rest of us. You say they cost us 13 pence each, I dont want to give them 13 pence. Why dont I have a choice ?

Next time you see some pics of the royal flight on here all I ask is you take a moment to think those RAF resources could be used to provide more helicopters to our troops in Afghanistan, those troops outside the palace could be rotated (more often) with active service personnel, that palace could be a hospital, goverment building ect.

..and if you are not convinced take a moment to think to your self `why do I allow myself to think these people are better than me just because they say they are`.

Why the Dalai Lama?:confused: Presumably you are happier shelling out a great deal more than 13p on useless, wasteful, pointless, hair-brained government expenditure.

I felt nausea creeping up after the third picture…………..

Knowing that it will be a beautiful, hot, sunny day but not being able to particiapte.:(

There is to be a bank levy but I don’t think the Government has any powers over non state owned banks remuneration agreements.