Maggie And Me

One of the UK’s most controversial former Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher passed away 8th April.

A recent UK television programme was discussing her life and contribution to politics, in this they questioned Gerry Adams Irish Sinn Féin politician. Mr Adams, funnily enough blamed old Maggie for the troubles Northern Ireland had experienced in the past.

Strange that; and there was me thinking that the IRA and Loyalist Paramilitaries were the cause of all that cowardly violence dished out to the innocent people residing in Northern Ireland, and those serving in the armed forces too!!

Well, guess history is definitely defined by the opinions of people, and if you are inclined to listen to Mr Adams, well, then he had no part to pay in the murders and bombing of Belfast, or those that took place in the UK either.

How quickly he forgets!!

Anyway, sad though it may be that the ‘Iron Lady’ has departed – her grip on the Government purse strings still lingers. UK tax payers are paying for her funeral, great!

So, I was wondering – where is my invite, as a tax payer??!!! Oh, and also, could the tax payer of the UK see fit to also foot the bill for my lavish funeral, when I need it, of course.

      

Under Paid And Over Worked – UK Teachers Deserve More Money……….?

A happy classroom environment is worth its weight in gold.

Are teachers are bunch of moaning so so’s?

I ask the question; why are they never happy with their salaries of £30,000 a year?

In the UK it seems this money wrangling never ends, and yet why are teachers so dissatisfied?

Teachers often claim their work demands, and pressures should equate to more money in their pockets; compensation for the service they provide, the hard work they do.

Of course they do work hard, and as well as look after the children in their care they educate them too. They deal with mounting Government performance targets, and disinterested and often hostile kids.

So, £30,000 a year is a well deserved salary, or is it???????

I am all for teachers getting £30,000 a year as long as;

They teach every child, and take into account every child’s individual learning needs. Not just focusing on the children who appear brightest or pick up the work the quickest.

As long as teaching is about teaching, and not figures and stats! How can anyone properly teach if they are concerned about exam results instead of quality of the lessons, and the topics being covered?

Especially as so many children leave education without even an English or Maths qualification. Now, that has to be wrong in the 21st century?!

I have no issue with teachers getting good wages, as long as these teachers aren’t making the children’s lives a misery by bullying them in the classroom, and making them feel inferior. Or, trying to strip away their sense of individuality, as is often the case in the educational system.

I also remember it used to be the case that teachers didn’t re-pay their student loans. I was pretty peeved to be left repaying mine when I left Uni, and I begun on less money than my teacher friends did!!

So should teachers get paid more money?

Well to be honest I think £30,000 is a damn good wage as it stands. Why would they want more, when other people in other professions, who have as much hassle, if not more attached to their work than teaching does, get less a year (with no option of demanding higher wages for their hard work).

Oh, and of course most professions have less holidays a year than teachers!

Should The British Be Ashamed Of Being British?

Over worked and underpaid???? Ashamed to be British when all said and done???

I read an article stating that British MPs are dissatisfied with their salaries. These MPs weren’t willing to go public with this dissatisfaction, I wonder why? No, this ‘poll’ was conducted in secrecy, and this secrecy allowed MPs to answer honestly (for once). However, the results were revealed; though unfortunately NONE of the MPs names were provided!

69% of MPs believe they deserve a 32% wage increase.

Shock and horror!!!!

Who would have guessed that MPs, people in power, want MORE! Doesn’t matter what state the UK is in or how the people flounder; as long as they are OK, they don’t give a damn about anything or anyone else. Democracy at its finest!

A reality check perhaps is required. I would love to see them actually working for a minimum wage, without expenses. Then maybe they’d get the gist of the Hell they put everyone else through. That or maybe something more drastic!

Anyway, a response to this revelation was that people have said that they feel ashamed of being British. Britain is seen as the joke of the world.

I wondered, is that true or just us Brits paranoia kicking in??

So, I ask all of you out there who may wish to voice an opinion on this;

ARE YOU ASHAMED TO BE BRITISH??????

SHOULD THE BRITS BE ASHAMED OF BEING BRITISH??????

IS BRITAIN A JOKE TO THE REST OF THE WORLD??????????

I am EAGER for ANSWERS to these questions.

Please let me have your thoughts and opinions; enquiring minds need to know!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shame On You Starbucks.

The Enemy!

I am aware I am late in writing about this, but I decided I had post something just to state how shocked I am over it all.

I couldn’t believe that Starbucks hadn’t been paying corporation tax in the UK for the last 3 years!
Claiming they have actually been making loses?!

Why are they still trading then? If they are making loses then their business planning or projections must be far from correct? This alone annoys me! I had my own experience with trying to perfect these very things to please the powers that be, so I could prove I was able to begin my own business venture. I had to meet their business requirements 100% and no stone could be left unturned, including paying tax from day one of trading!

It seems it is OK for some companies to make a mess of their finances, just because they are global conglomerates with power, yet the small fish in the pond can’t put a step out of place if they want to even begin trading.

How is it fair to let these big companies slide off the radar, including for paying tax; yet, smaller new companies are constantly put through the mill?!

The UK , well I feel, hardly support small ventures enough, but that is another story.

So, tax evasion??? I am not a tax expert, but how can any company with such a huge portfolio, and presence be allowed to dodge contributing to the pot they make their profit from?? Oh, they made loses, of course! I really wish I could say I’m not paying my tax too as I have made loses. Yet, if I paid one pound less than I was supposed to there would be trouble. Not to mention, I don’t have the choice, tax returns and even tax deductions from salaries are scrutinised. Hell, I have been unlucky enough to pay too much tax; I have never paid too little, EVER, chance would be a fine thing!

Another aggrieved party.

It seems us small fish can’t get away with anything! Which poignantly highlights life for the average worker in the UK today!

The big fish can disagree with the rules and dictate that they don’t like something, because they are important as they hold the power and the wealth. Usually they get their own way as they are so revered by Government, or if not, they find a way around the problem; like disappearing to another country on-board their private yachts. Great!

The ordinary workers though just have to put up and shut up. They are too busy concentrating on keeping their little juggling balls in the air for fear of dropping them, and crashing down into oblivion. Yet, without ordinary workers there wouldn’t be any contributions into society, so why aren’t they revered and ‘cut more slack’?

It seems the ordinary workers are the ones resented and bombarded with the most demands upon them, and their money! I wish all the workers would one day decided to also ‘do a runner’ and let us see then what the UK Government would be left with, NOTHING!

As not even the giants in the UK economy; the powerful and wealthy, give a damn enough to pay their dues. So, why then should the ordinary workers have too?! Double standards; it is never what you know, but WHO you know that helps you swim not sink in the UK (regardless of what messes you make or how bad your finances are).

So, I too have decided to Boycott Starbucks. They should be ashamed depriving the UK of much needed tax money. Especially when the very people who prop up their business, their customers, are paying through the nose for everything! Including tax on the coffee they drink at Stabucks establishments! SHAME ON YOU Starbucks!

Take a look at the BBC Report:
The Starbucks Scandal