So what would YOU do?

[frostyfingers]

Assuming most people accept that this country is in dire financial straits what would be your suggestions to get it back on track?

It seems to me that whoever suggests anything is shot down in flames (and I don't just mean the government) because it affects someone somewhere. Well yes, it will but how the hell do we get back to being a reasonably solvent, safe and good place to live (actually not sure we ever have been one of those, but you know what I mean!)

I don't have any answers really which is probably why I'd be a crap politician, but I do feel that rather than people damning every suggestion put forward it would be better if they came up with some different ideas.

Answers on a postcard please!

The truth of the matter is that cuts have to made and taxes have to be increased to begin rectifying the deficit.
The interest payments alone tell us this is common sense.

However, whatever the government do, someone will squeak.
I cannot think of one cut or one increase that wouldn't upset someone... so waddya gonna do?

Personally, I think you just have to go for it and try to spread the pain as best as you can. Yes, this leaves everyone bleating, but hopefully means we can protect some of the things we hold dear as a nation.

Not being in posession of the books, as it were, I'm as much in the dark as anyone else! I agree with the observation that whether the treasury are asking for more money or whether departments are being asked to spend less there will always be a group that ends up worse off and cries foul. Anyone still thinking that the job of MP is a cushy number, look away now.

My personal feeling is that we should look after the vulnerable in our society as priority, pay particular attention to improving the quality of education and health (because that's our future) and encourage business to develop (because that's our wealth creation & employment). Intelligent spending .... quality rather than quantity... and everything else is fair game.

It seems that there is a great deal of waste going on in the Ministry of Defense, especially when it comes to procurement. I do not know what it is like now, but my family's firm made field kitchens and other metal products for the army and the hoops they had to go through and the visits that were made must have cost a fortune.

I realise that it is vital that whatever is supplied to the armed forces must work perfectly in the field, it seems that that is quite often not the case. Desert boots that melt, rifles that jam with the sand, helicopters that are supplied with the wrong software etc are just some that spring to mind.It may be cheaper to buy 'off the peg' but in greater quantity so that duds can be replaced quickly, would be the way to go.

Reduce the numbers of politicians and cut there wages as, let's face it, most of our laws come from Bruxelles nowadays.

Sell off all the unused property and land.

Rewrite the tax laws so that there is no room for tax avoidance and stop child benefits for every child after two. If you want more than two children you pay for them, don't expect me to indulge your whims.