From: "Tim" 
Newsgroups: uk.finance
Subject: Re: OT:Govt Benefits - info needed.
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2004 09:37:53 +0000 (UTC)

... Playing "devils advocate" :-


"Andy Pandy" wrote
>  I used to be single on about the same real terms salary
> and I was rolling in it. I didn't know what to do with my money. I have
actually
> benefitted from several years as a single person which has set me up quite
well
> for now. But some people have families earlier and don't have those years
with
> money to burn/save/waste/whatever. It's those that really get screwed.

Isn't it just their *choice* to "stop being single earlier" ?

"Andy Pandy" wrote
> Anyway taxes are supposed to levied more according to ability to pay than
use of
> services, otherwise why tax, just charge people directly for the services
they
> use.

Now there's an idea!!   :-)

"Andy Pandy" wrote
>  Healthy people subsidise sick people.

Sounds like insurance to me.


"Andy Pandy" wrote
>  Rich people subsidise poor people.
> That's how taxes work.

Wasn't it actually the other way around, many years ago?  Ie  the "rich"
lords remained rich by taxing all the poor people living on their land??

"Andy Pandy" wrote
> All I want is for tax and benefits to be assessed consistently. How the
hell
> could that increase 'unfairness'?

Hmmmm.  I wonder if the only true "consistent" way would be to have *zero*
tax & *zero* benefits?  How would you like that?   :-((