DT1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 15 Apr 2008
- Posts: 1,116
8 January 2011
21:5388293Silly me Howard, I almost forgot. I almost forgot that the private sector will save us all with their 'self regulation'. And they have the cheek to say that society is dependent on the the state. I must admit I am a bit...but then I am also dependent on my house, I pay for that too.
Stagecoach also do trains:
http://www.tribunemagazine.co.uk/2010/06/100-million-subsidy-for-stagecoach/
The best line in this report is the last.
DT1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 15 Apr 2008
- Posts: 1,116
8 January 2011
21:5888294Sorry about the source, I always try to find backup in the right wing press, regardless of the left wing bias, the facts are clear. Google 'stagecoach subsidies' if you want the Daily Mail version.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
8 January 2011
22:2788296At least the private sector operates under some kind of fiscal discipline. Why the public sector doles out these subsidies I can not fathom.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
DT1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 15 Apr 2008
- Posts: 1,116
9 January 2011
09:4588311Yes a fiscal discipline propped up by the state and still paying shareholders. In a funny way, a bit like the parents paying for these tickets, getting help from the state and still going on holiday.
The reason why they dole out this money is because many things in a society that facilitate freedom and equality (health, education, infrastructure) aren't actually that profitable. The fact that we must subsidise these companies just proves that they are no more successful than 'the dead hand of the state'.
With regard to health care, private firms are once again subsidised (albeit indirectly) by most of their staff being trained in the public sector at great cost to the tax payer. I'd like to see how they compare to the NHS without the state propping them up. Of course they could always rely on foreign workers or the great numbers of graduates we will produce. All fits well with current policy, doesn't it?
In terms of reform, yes changes need to be made, I couldn't agree more. We do need to change elements of the welfare state, it is being abused. I seem to remember Beveridge, as well as creating the template for the welfare state,also supported eugenics. Maybe this is the direction our current government is taking?
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
9 January 2011
12:0788324Back to the buses Dave .The local evening and Sunday services are subsidised. For some people they rely on these services and of course the children can use their Freedom Passes.
My Grandchildren went to Herne Bay yesterday not bad school all week and Herne Bay all for £2 .
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
9 January 2011
12:1688325sue,i see your grandchildren have learnt how to use the system then.
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
9 January 2011
12:5088333Let us remember that, in regards to subsidies for bus fares, the State receives massive amounts of money on petrol tax from people who drive vehicles. This tax is a lot higher than the actual cost of petrol, meaning that the British State Treasury actually erns more money on selling the petrol on the internal market than the oil-producing countries earn selling it to Britain.
The same applies for most industrialised couintries.
So if the State - or County - dishes out a little fraction of this income on subsidised bus-fares, it's the least one can expect; it's a small return in favour of people who go with the bus, and in particular it's fair on children.
Furthermore, KCC is proposing new laws to the Government that will allow Kent to oblige foreign lorries to buy petrol in Briitain (and so-by pay petrol-tax to the Treasury) instead of using belly-tanks that allow them to buy the petrol abroad and then circulate here for three days without ever contributing to our Treasury. I know this because KCC in Maidstone informed me in a letter a few weeks ago. They also taold me that they are asking the Government to introduce port taxes on vehicles in Dover, that will go to KCC.
In fact I gave KCC my full moral support and asked them to continue with these plans.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
9 January 2011
13:1488334i think we all would back the plans of k.c.c, not only would this give a bigger tax take for the treasury and also give a more level playing field for our hauliers.
all it needs now is for instant fines to be issued to wrong doers, failing which their truck is impounded.
