Year: 2010

Right now I would be planning huge cuts in services across the board. I’d make thousands unemployed. Once the cost of running all those services is saved I’d invest some modest sums in charities which perform the same task on a smaller scale and, I’d encourage, with the use of volunteers, for them to expand to take up the slack.

The charities could be a lot more ruthless on who they help meaning that a great many will never get the help they need but who can probably cope anyway. The staff to volunteer for all this extra work? Ah, this is the best part. A change in the law to abolish the minimum wage would not be tolerated but, it is what the government needs. What could happen is, all those out of work are told in no uncertain terms that they ‘volunteer’ and, for this they will be paid an amount the government decides is what they need to live on. They’ll have millions doing 35 hour weeks for a little over £1 and hour! Taxation will come from the consumer taxation of VAT which is already announced to increase by a further 2.5% to 20%. Duty on tobacco, alcohol and fuel will also rise at above inflation rates.

In theory, the welfare bill could almost be made so small as to be insignificant. All those remaining in work will be expected to support those living with them out of work.

If anyone thinks, by the way, that the current benefit system is fair then, think again!

Right now I would be planning huge cuts in services across the board. I’d make thousands unemployed. Once the cost of running all those services is saved I’d invest some modest sums in charities which perform the same task on a smaller scale and, I’d encourage, with the use of volunteers, for them to expand to take up the slack.

The charities could be a lot more ruthless on who they help meaning that a great many will never get the help they need but who can probably cope anyway. The staff to volunteer for all this extra work? Ah, this is the best part. A change in the law to abolish the minimum wage would not be tolerated but, it is what the government needs. What could happen is, all those out of work are told in no uncertain terms that they ‘volunteer’ and, for this they will be paid an amount the government decides is what they need to live on. They’ll have millions doing 35 hour weeks for a little over £1 and hour! Taxation will come from the consumer taxation of VAT which is already announced to increase by a further 2.5% to 20%. Duty on tobacco, alcohol and fuel will also rise at above inflation rates.

In theory, the welfare bill could almost be made so small as to be insignificant. All those remaining in work will be expected to support those living with them out of work.

If anyone thinks, by the way, that the current benefit system is fair then, think again!

My plan for the weekend involved lazing about Saturday and going with the flow Sunday. Well, Ex wife Kris, who was supposed to meet the family in town and provide lunch, went out on the piss Friday night and was too hung over to meet up so I was called in to the rescue. After that I had to do shopping, answer several phone calls, you know, the normal sort of lazing about I do!

The kids all came back Saturday afternoon, I’d manage to grab a bit of sleep as I was totally shattered. We discussed various possibilities for holiday next year but, none of the options was really turning into a definite workable plan that didn’t upset someone. I reached the conclusion I was possibly missing the one possibility I had otherwise ignored, we don’t do a ‘family’ holiday at all but, instead, just me and Deej get away for a break to try and recharge our batteries. I know that will sideline several people and, that upsets me but, sometimes I have to remember that I have a life too and, am getting on a bit so should not keep putting things off for another day!

Plans for next weekend are all sorted. I was hoping a little extra could be sorted but that is looking increasingly unlikely and that’s just a shame.

Today, Virgin Media has screwed up. For a time we lost Phone, TV and Internet, as of writing this, we are still without broadband via Virgin and I am using my O2 connection through my mobile. I am glad I have that option. On the plus side, it is allowing various family members to find other things to do which is no bad thing!

My plan for the weekend involved lazing about Saturday and going with the flow Sunday. Well, Ex wife Kris, who was supposed to meet the family in town and provide lunch, went out on the piss Friday night and was too hung over to meet up so I was called in to the rescue. After that I had to do shopping, answer several phone calls, you know, the normal sort of lazing about I do!

The kids all came back Saturday afternoon, I’d manage to grab a bit of sleep as I was totally shattered. We discussed various possibilities for holiday next year but, none of the options was really turning into a definite workable plan that didn’t upset someone. I reached the conclusion I was possibly missing the one possibility I had otherwise ignored, we don’t do a ‘family’ holiday at all but, instead, just me and Deej get away for a break to try and recharge our batteries. I know that will sideline several people and, that upsets me but, sometimes I have to remember that I have a life too and, am getting on a bit so should not keep putting things off for another day!

Plans for next weekend are all sorted. I was hoping a little extra could be sorted but that is looking increasingly unlikely and that’s just a shame.

Today, Virgin Media has screwed up. For a time we lost Phone, TV and Internet, as of writing this, we are still without broadband via Virgin and I am using my O2 connection through my mobile. I am glad I have that option. On the plus side, it is allowing various family members to find other things to do which is no bad thing!