If a football club's fans behave like these RUDDY students (Merged)

[Lady Whistledown]

Maybe, but all professions are being asked to cut back- why are the banks exempt from this?

Not footballers

 

[Stoo82]

even if the top 10 earners in each of our key banks ( and remember not all of them took bail out money ) stopped being paid and the money went to the treasury it would be a few million not the billions we need to raise. It's not unfair to ask students to fund a more substantial chunk of their education rather than being carried by the taxpayer.

trillions.

 

[SeagullRic]

Unfortunately for you, the more this goes on, the more the general public will get bored of the disruption to their lives and the ongoing violence/damage. We're all struggling because of the financial climate, but most of us aren't using it as an excuse to act out our childish wrecking-ball fantasies. People who've lost their jobs, had to take salary cuts, lost out due to welfare reforms etc: they're pretty annoyed with life too, but there doesn't seem to be much recognition of that amongst some of the "me me me" students.

"Most" of the students aren't using it as an excuse to do that either. I'd be very surprised if we don't see many more sectors of society protesting within the next year due to the cuts which they face. I accept that it is also a tough time for many others in society: maybe they should stand up for what they believe in (like the french do) rather than just accpeting the harsh treatment which they're receiving.

 

[ROKERITE]

Next time let's take the gloves off. Water cannon and truncheons laying into thick student skulls. I'm fed up with pampered students smashing up our country.

 

[Buzzer]

Possibly, but its also very naive not to question why they're not being punished whilst the rest of the nation bear the brunt of the cuts.

Because we're a financial service industry country. That, having (pound for pound) the best military and excelling in the arts is what keeps this country going. We're hostages to the very institutions that helped get us into this mess and it's not as simple as saying - let's make 'em pay. I don't want to sound patronising but the reasons why the previous Government decided not to let the banks fail is because they are in the main owned by us in pensions and investment vehicles. The banks can also bugger off to a cheaper tax regime at the drop of a hat - it's why most of the Lloyd's Names syndicates are now registered in Ireland.

I dunno the answer but taxing the bankers out of this island isn't it.

 

[clapham_gull]

Even if the top 10 earners in each of our key banks ( and remember not all of them took bail out money ) stopped being paid and the money went to the Treasury it would be a few million NOT the billions we need to raise. It's not unfair to ask students to fund a more substantial chunk of their education rather than being carried by the taxpayer.

The reckless behaviour of the global financial community, funny thing is (well not very funny) - is that many of those who caused it will now benefit from it.

.. and round and round it goes.

 

[SeagullRic]

Hmmmm .... I would suggest you speak to the many bankers made redundant - they might well disagree with you that they are exempt.

What about Sir Freddie Goodwin, I'd say he's been pretty exempt- despite his monumental f*** up.

 

[SeagullRic]

Because we're a financial service industry country. That, having (pound for pound) the best military and excelling in the arts is what keeps this country going. We're hostages to the very institutions that helped get us into this mess and it's not as simple as saying - let's make 'em pay. I don't want to sound patronising but the reasons why the previous Government decided not to let the banks fail is because they are in the main owned by us in pensions and investment vehicles. The banks can also bugger off to a cheaper tax regime at the drop of a hat - it's why most of the Lloyd's Names syndicates are now registered in Ireland.

I dunno the answer but taxing the bankers out of this island isn't it.

I'd say you and the government are in a fairly simliar situation then

 

[backson]

Becuase the cuts are the result of endless spending by the last government, not becuase we bailed out the banks.

I'm by no means defending the last government, but you might want to have a look at news in other countries and their deficits.

 

[ATFC Seagull]

The reckless behaviour of the global financial community, funny thing is (well not very funny) - is that many of those who caused it will now benefit from it.

.. and round and round it goes.

...and they all got their university educations for free.

 

[Buzzer]

Maybe, but all professions are being asked to cut back- why are the banks exempt from this?

Not sure what you mean. How do you suggest they cut back? Surely they do it anyway in the pursuit of maximising profits.

 

[Stoo82]

I'm by no means defending the last government, but you might want to have a look at news in other countries and their deficits.

Who all followed Gorden 'I saved the world' Brown into borrowing trillions nobody had.

 

[Westdene Seagull]

What about Sir Freddie Goodwin, I'd say he's been pretty exempt- despite his monumental f*** up.

One single banker ! While I don't defend him he did have a large chunk of his pension taken away.

 

[Marc1901]

Im annoyed that they are stopping EMA and the course i have chose to do i will probably not receive EMA but im not going out causing violence and trouble like some of these people. There were a group of people on BBC saying, "EMA is keeping us in college. What is stopping us from going onto the streets and doing drug deals?" WELL with that money you prick you are probably wasting it on drugs anyway.

 

[Buzzer]

I'd say you and the government are in a fairly simliar situation then

So what do you suggest? Actual practical measures that will not cause our financial institutions to relocate offshore or disincentivise the wealth-generators. I don't have the figures to hand but the amount and percentage of tax paid by financial institutions is staggering.

 

[Dandyman]

Because we're a financial service industry country. That, having (pound for pound) the best military and excelling in the arts is what keeps this country going. We're hostages to the very institutions that helped get us into this mess and it's not as simple as saying - let's make 'em pay. I don't want to sound patronising but the reasons why the previous Government decided not to let the banks fail is because they are in the main owned by us in pensions and investment vehicles. The banks can also bugger off to a cheaper tax regime at the drop of a hat - it's why most of the Lloyd's Names syndicates are now registered in Ireland.

I dunno the answer but taxing the bankers out of this island isn't it.

It's a fair point to highlight the international nature of finance but does that not suggest that there should be at least EU wide reforms to ensure proper regulation of the banks and markets ?

 

[Buzzer]

It's a fair point to highlight the international nature of finance but does that not suggest that there should be at least EU wide reforms to ensure proper regulation of the banks and markets ?

Haha! If only, but when you have the EU finances having never (to my knowledge) ever having a clean audit report, when you have whistleblowers being hounded by EU commissioners then there will never be the political will. Combine that with traditional Mediterranean distrust of Anglo-Saxon/North European business practices and North European mistrust of Latin European widespread political fraud then I'd say no chance. Why should the banks get their houses in order if the EU flatly refuses to?

In my opinion the Germans and Low Countries will demand that countries that are seeking bail outs need to increase their corporation tax rates but that's as far as it will go.

The other more simple problem is that Governments do not fully understand all the investment vehicles that the banks et al dream up. Legislation will always be reactive.

 

[Billy the Fish]

It's a fair point to highlight the international nature of finance but does that not suggest that there should be at least EU wide reforms to ensure proper regulation of the banks and markets ?

EU wouldn't be wide enough, every country in the world would have to play by the same rules.

The banking system is ridiculous anyway. There's enough money passing through that system to keep everyone in the world in a good standard of living, rather than hoarding it between a few rich countries and corporations. buzzer has it right that the governments are really in the banks pocket.

 

[clapham_gull]

Haha! If only, but when you have the EU finances having never (to my knowledge) ever having a clean audit report, when you have whistleblowers being hounded by EU commissioners then there will never be the political will. Combine that with traditional Mediterranean distrust of Anglo-Saxon/North European business practices and North European mistrust of Latin European widespread political fraud then I'd say no chance. Why should the banks get their houses in order if the EU flatly refuses to?

In my opinion the Germans and Low Countries will demand that countries that are seeking bail outs need to increase their corporation tax rates but that's as far as it will go.

The other more simple problem is that Governments do not fully understand all the investment vehicles that the banks et al dream up. Legislation will always be reactive.

I've been reading Robin Pestons recent book on a subject I know little about - but I've found it fascinating.

Wouldn't it be accurate to describe some of the investment vehicles dreamt up by the banks like this:

 

[Freddie Goodwin.]

What about Sir Freddie Goodwin, I'd say he's been pretty exempt- despite his monumental f*** up.

Hey, i'm keeping outta this!