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    #41
    Originally posted by meridian View Post
    It’s very different to any business. Primarily the ability of governments to raise income through taxes, and to print money if they need to.

    Was the UK ever on the verge of no longer being able to make payments, or to maintain cash flow?
    The country is very like a business. Raise taxes? From whom? The already cash strapped voters who have not seen wages keep up with inflation? That one act alone would tip the country into a major depression.

    I'd rather see the government change the law so taxes from the like of Amazon matched the burden of small businesses. Won't hold my breath.

    Every time the UK borrows money = no longer being able to make payments.

    Printing down the value of the currency is only speeding up the death of the currency.
    "Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience". Mark Twain

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      #42
      Originally posted by malvolio View Post
      I am, thanks. It's not me failing to make the distinction between macroeconomics and corporate economics
      That's a helpful clarification, Mal. Thanks.

      Comment


        #43
        Originally posted by meridian View Post
        That continuing to blame Labour for our national debt without apportioning any responsibility to the party that’s actually been in Government for the past 10 years is partisan and not balanced.

        I agree, sort of. Continuing that same path without doing much about it (while still blaming your predecessors) is just as culpable.

        Again, I agree that the reduction in borrowing is better than an increase. It’s still more borrowing though.

        Unfortunately the tories are unable to rebuff the mantra 'savage tory cuts so have borrowed to continue paying benefits etc.


        borrowing less is a start but our grandchildren will be paying this debt off.
        Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much.

        Comment


          #44
          Originally posted by vetran View Post
          borrowing less is a start but our grandchildren will be paying this debt off.
          It will be inflated away.

          God help us when people start realizing there is no point in saving. But hopefully I will be dead by then.

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            #45
            Good news? Bad news? Or just news?

            Originally posted by scooterscot View Post
            The country is very like a business. Raise taxes? From whom? The already cash strapped voters who have not seen wages keep up with inflation? That one act alone would tip the country into a major depression.
            Ah, sorry - I can see where there might be some confusion here. I meant “raise taxes” as in impose taxes, not necessarily to raise the current rate. This differs from a business that has to make something that people want to buy.



            I'd rather see the government change the law so taxes from the like of Amazon matched the burden of small businesses. Won't hold my breath.

            Every time the UK borrows money = no longer being able to make payments.

            Printing down the value of the currency is only speeding up the death of the currency.
            Borrowing doesn’t necessarily mean can’t make payments, it depends on the reason for the borrowing. Just because you borrow to buy a house doesn’t mean you’re bankrupt.

            Comment


              #46
              Originally posted by meridian View Post
              Ah, sorry - I can see where there might be some confusion here. I meant “raise taxes” as in impose taxes, not necessarily to raise the current rate. This differs from a business that has to make something that people want to buy.
              Impose more taxes or even simply increase the rate of taxation already in place in various areas and the net tax revenue goes down, if only because people perceive they have less to spend. That's why countries are not comparable to companies.

              If we hit Amazon, say, for taking advantage on international taxation agreements perfectly legally, we won't get any more tax income, they will simply stop trading here and their UK-based operations will go elsewhere. After all they don't have to worry about point of sale locations, do they.


              Borrowing doesn’t necessarily mean can’t make payments, it depends on the reason for the borrowing. Just because you borrow to buy a house doesn’t mean you’re bankrupt.
              ...unless you are borrowing beyond your means. Companies and individuals can do that, countries essentially can't.
              Blog? What blog...?

              Comment


                #47
                Originally posted by malvolio View Post
                Impose more taxes or even simply increase the rate of taxation already in place in various areas and the net tax revenue goes down, if only because people perceive they have less to spend.
                That is not necessarily true. Increase personal taxation rates from 1% to 30% and tax take will increase. Increase it from 30% to 99% and it will decrease.

                As to whether increasing current rates would increase tax take, I suspect that there is no clear answer.

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                  #48
                  There was the small matter of us being downgraded from AAA to AA credit rating at the end of the last red regime

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                    #49
                    Originally posted by NigelJK View Post
                    There was the small matter of us being downgraded from AAA to AA credit rating at the end of the last red regime

                    And ten years later, we're in a worse state, but remember, it's the fault of the commies, whether they are in power or not, anyone who doesn't follow the far right is responsible for everything wrong with the world.

                    Round them up in a field and bomb the b......
                    …Maybe we ain’t that young anymore

                    Comment


                      #50
                      Originally posted by WTFH View Post
                      And ten years later, we're in a worse state, but remember, it's the fault of the commies, whether they are in power or not, anyone who doesn't follow the far right is responsible for everything wrong with the world.

                      Round them up in a field and bomb the b......
                      Erm... Aren't Labour supposed to be Socialists?
                      Old Greg - In search of acceptance since Mar 2007. Hoping each leap will be his last.

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