It has been a while since I posted anything in the forum, those who know me probably know why, baby, house, life.... In the spirit of 'Safety Valve' I thought I would start posting again, not too politicial I hope, but at least venting my frustration! This forum is meant for letting of steam and generally things not related to the afterdawn.com focus, however it was conceived pre 9/11 so it has been since improperly used for political scandal and rumouring, hence the boss stepped in. So what am I peeved about? I bought a new car last year, because my previous one, which was a V8 4.5 litre petrol, was pretty unecologically friendly, not to mention expensive to run. I cried when I sold it, it really was an absolute stunner. I replaced it with a similar 4x4, but with just over half the engine size, 3/4 of the number of cylinders and a more economical lower burning fuel (diesel). I did this is the spirit of all things green, Tony and Health and Safety, as any good citizen should. Now, unless I walk to into town, pay £47,000 for a single day underground ticket or use a car that runs of pretty much air (as most cars will NOT fit under the new limits for congestion charging) I will have to pay £25 to enter a city I live in. I also own small parts of that city, imagine having to pay to use your driveway! I pay VAT on the car, I pay tax on the fuel, I pay road tax to run it and insurance (with insurance tax) to make it legal. I pay tax on the service and tax on the principle sum to go towards ecological disposal after it has reached its useful life. I probably pay tax for many other things as well, but that is far too depressing... Here is the absolutely salient point though: I am BUGGERED if I am going to pay £25 for my 2.9 litre diesel (contrary to popular belief it is NOT 4x4s that are taxed, but larger engined cars) to enter London. However, enter London I shall. So what will I do? I will sell my crappy performing 2.9 litre diesel, which is about as low as I could go (for reasons not worth going into here) and buy another even BIGGER gas guzzling 4.5 and probably go for the Turbo version too and stuff the green party down the loo with a big flush of bleach (not Ecover) At least I will get my money's worth. I will sail up and down the bus lanes at 60 mph tearing up fifty pound notes faster than they can issue me with speeding tickets, then I will sod off and live in a decent country. Seriously, I have had it with England, Tony and all the Health and Safety and BS, so I am off to a country where my talents are appreciated. I am sick of being a cash cow, my days as a golden goose are over. Goodbye England and good riddance. I am serious. I already have my house on the market. I am not the only one. The last one left, please turn out the lights. Paul.
Unfortunately, a lot of my country has fallen victim to socialism and gouging as well. Nevertheless, if you're willing to settle outside of California and the Massachusetts-to-New Jersey corridor, you may live in freedom, and I welcome you to come here.
loaded, a hint : move to Belgium. Not half as many lame taxes, usually friendly folks, and no tony blair
I hear ya.. it costs me 12.40 a day to travel on t'tube.. But leaving the country.. well good luck.. I'm pissed off with the high taxes, but that H&S BS is spreading all over the world, and started in the US with all the soft lawsuits people were making millions from. There's nothing wrong with this country, I don't quite know what you mean by a "decent country".. [bold]like where??[/bold]
Half my relatives are from Canada. It's not all it's cracked up to be, rest assured. It's UK-lite. Give it a few years and it'll be the same. That's why we're not still in Canada.
It is a good question, where I will move to. I have some options, however I have spent much of the last few years in my wife's home country of the Czech Republic. It is beautiful here, we ski in winter, cycle in summer and spend our evenings drinking the best, not to mention cheapest, beer anywhere in the civilised world. I will come back to England periodically, but only because of family ties, otherwise I would stay permanently. I am 31 and want to live life, not work for others all day long. Not long ago I loved London, England and wanted to spend the rest of my life here. Now me and my tax dollars are going on an extended sabatical. Paul.
pennsylvania, usa is a very nice place to live especially north central pa ,we have many differn't ski resorts and lots of hiking trails and lots of differn't places for canoeing and kiyaking ,if you like some more info http://www.state.pa.us/ thought this would help.
Eastern PA, Colorado, Utah...something to think about. The beer ain't too bad an in Denver you can get loaded (he he) on just a couple of 'em due to the altitude. If you get some more vacation time, come check it out.
Thanks guys, I love the states and it is not as bad there as it is here, although my American friends always complain about taxes. The way it feels here though is that those with little sponge, those with a lot (I mean a helluva lot!) hide it in the Caymans and those in the middle (vast ranging middle) get screwed every way they turn and are made to feel bad about everything they do. P. PS : As a footnote, I have left already! I wasn't kidding.
