In most countries in the
continent and also the world people usually protest if they feel they are
getting a bad deal because their government is introducing new legislation that
affects them. In most cases it will be hundreds of people attending, shouting
and screaming in order to get their message heard.
In Ireland it is much different.
This recent recession as seen the introduction of many new taxes for the Irish
public. Firstly the government increased income tax and following that they
rolled out a series of additional taxes such as the household charge, property
tax and a new water charge which is on the way.
We also have to pay a television
licence charge and part of this money pays exorbitant salaries to tv presenters
of the national television station. Recently these presenters have had a cut in
their salaries but some of them may still earn more than president Obama who
earned $400,000 in 2012. It is understood that the tv licence is now to be
converted to a general media charge. If you dont have a tv but have a laptop
you will have to pay this new charge.
It makes you think about the
current situation in Cyprus. Their
government was planning to take deposits out of peoples bank accounts and what
did the people do? They hit the streets and protested. What would the Irish do
if this happened? Probably stay at
home and have a cup of tea. We are really laid back about everything and
nothing seems to phase us.
So what difference does it make
which way the government takes our money whether directly or indirectly? Maybe they should have taken once off
deposits from our bank accounts. At least it would have been a once off charge.
With annual recurring taxes such
as the household charge, property tax and water charges we will be paying these
for the rest of our lives. They are hardly going to cancel these taxes in 10
years. If you do the sums on it maybe once off payments from our deposit
accounts may have worked in our favour, depending on how much savings you have
of course.
With the introduction of this new
water charge how will the Irish public react? We probably will just take it on
the chin like the other charges we have incured. Pictured is a recent protest
about the water charge that is being introduced. The protest is so civilised it does not even make it onto
the street. What message does this send to the government?
Once this water charge is
introduced the government will probably brainstorm some other pointless charge
so they can tax us. Ask yourself the question when will it end?
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