2016 Budget

I'm not offended, but I am curious ... what does children have to do with anything?
And, coupled with the "drain on society" comment - I may be wrong, it may simply be a missing comma - but, it does come across as the two being linked. How?

 

Hi "M" ,

I think @Beckie76 is referring to not receiving any child allowance or education costs for her children or other costs such as inoculations etc .

 

Are we going to have the debate again about whether kids are a drain on society or not?

If we are, can I just throw it out there that today's kids are tomorrows tax payers.

 

I don't think we are Clueless, I was just trying to explain to " M " about Beckies own circumstances.

 

Oh dear, I do hope that isn't what she is inferring/suggesting/thinking. But kind of you to interpret on her behalf.

 

... that "kids" (I prefer the term children myself) only fall under that umbrella term for 18 years; whereas "tax payers" fall under that particular term from anywhere between 0 and 50+ years?

 

Royal "we"?

 

Oh Lordy Lordy! I've not explained myself ...let me try...
@clueless1 Kids (Children) are NOT a drain on society they are tomorrow's adults & hopefully they will pay some tax too!
@Anthony Rogers was correct in what he said, I'm NOT receiving any child allowance etc etc BUT I'm paying thousands in a year hence not getting anything /much back for my money.
Yes @'M' you are quite right I'd missed a coma, I was at no point suggesting that children are a drain on society.
I'm sorry I didn't explain myself properly & I again didn't mean to cause any offence to anyone

 

My husband often complains about paying the same property tax (education money) as those with children. (HE says, "why should we pay when we are old and don't have school aged children, why should he pay when he never had a child" blah blah blah) Well he went to school at the government run facilities so I tell him that he is paying back the cost of his education and perhaps a few lessons in civics might have been classes he missed

 

Oh oh just realized that maybe that's why he makes those statements.. he didn't apply himself enough to get his money's worth

Don't worry, his feelings won't be hurt. He refused to learn anything about computers or going online. I get to play secretary and handle all internet needs... which I am fine doing

 

Thank you for clarifying your thoughts @Beckie76 - thought it might be due to an errant comma

I have received child allowance (formerly known as "family allowance") and, all the while I have done so, either I have jointly paid, or their father has paid, a fair whack of tax per year too. So, I still struggle to see how it is relevant?
The taxes my children will invest for 50+ years has the knock on affect of providing whatever the government of the time sees fit to invest in. From an employment point of view, rest assured, due to their upbringing and my parenting, *my* children will be play an important role in *your* future and not just on the tax front
In terms of what we "get back": in our Country we have a national health service, free for all in need - that includes, your parents, your siblings, your Aunts/Uncles, nephews/nieces/grand nephews/nieces (all of which you "reap" from your contributions). Furthermore, what we reap today is not totally a result of ourselves, or any future children, but as a result of *our* parents/grandparents. Now, if you asked them if their taxes were worthy, I think you may find, that in the interests of securing a future for you and your peers, they may well believe so (well, possibly, if they are of a generation which can remember when there was no health service, no pension at all and the workhouse being the only option available if you had no income from employment).
Taxes do not simply pay toward child benefit, the NHS or pensions. (Hmm, let me think that's two out of three you may well benefit from at some point or other? And not a child in sight ).

I think I am rather fortunate in that my own parents grew up when there was no NHS when they were growing up, Dr's were "private" and very expensive and so you relied on "the local woman who 'did' " so I was not instilled with a sense of: you pay in, you get *this* much back. Well, I was, but that was in terms of taking out insurance polices and bore no relation in a state controlled investment (which, as it turns out, was quite right?).
Your taxes were never designed to be (realistically) an insurance policy for your own personal protection, nor are your NI contributions: they are/were a political ideal! An ideal which is buckling under its own weight. The money is not ring fenced to support that ideal and Governments utilise income to their own agenda.

So, back to your quote:

Your "thousands" are not the sole contributor to child allowance; their own working parents are paying in far more than they receive in family allowance plus paying into childcare schemes (employees!) for the privilege of "working" . At your age, given your "life choices", what do you expect as "pay back", at this stage of your life? You are young, you are fit, you are healthy (I did note the asthma btw and I'm not ignoring it ).

If you wish for the ideal of having a pay back for your investment, I genuinely think that your generation should focus on a private health insurance scheme - and that is the advice I give my own. Likewise, set up a private pension fund. Stop feeling "entitled" and start thinking "empowered". The Welfare State, as a political ideal, is no longer viable under the terms of a Global Economy of free movement for all.

I think, by the time you reach my stage/age you may be thankful for that piece of advice

 

Even if your husband didn't benefit from his education, he us very likely to benefit from the education of others. Unless we live entirely self sufficient and wild, we all need the services of others, constantly, in every aspect of life.

I remember a mental exercise we did at school (in a previous life ). As a group, we had to list all the professions and occupations we took for granted. To cut a long story short, we got right down to things like the mechanic that maintained the milk float that enabled the milk man to bring us the milk produced at the dairy from milk acquired by the farmer so that we could have our morning cereal with milk before leaving the house.

@Beckie76 , no offence here. We're all buddies.

 

@'M' I'm not going to get into a debate with you over this as you know I'm very fond of you & I'm not going to fall out over a thread about money! I think you've sort of missed my points which I was trying to make.....if it's ok with you I think we should agree to disagree?

 

Agreed.

 

NHS. We have a close facsimile. Knew someone who stole an engine out of a car to pay his wife's maternity bill before we had it.
Imagine the shock of finding your car won't start....ever

The babies are fine and over 6 ft tall.... they are worth the involuntary tax payment