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Original poster

You must read this article

45 replies

granted · 08/02/2011 17:33

One of the most important articles I've read in a long, long time.

www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/feb/07/tax-city-heist-of-century

Truly shocking stuff.

And remember it next time you vote.

OP posts:
MrsCurly · 08/02/2011 17:37

thanks for posting

EricNorthmansMistress · 08/02/2011 19:55

I was just coming over to post that word for word...

LadyBlaBlah · 08/02/2011 20:02

Rotten to the core

They are inducing Learned Helplessness in an entire nation

Original poster
granted · 08/02/2011 20:05

George Monbiot is now on course for a sainthood if not a knighthood.

Truly, the article of the decade. Possibly the most important article I've ever read.

OP posts:
FerociousBeast · 08/02/2011 20:07

Excellent article. It should have been the headline.

LadyBiscuit · 08/02/2011 20:08

I found that the most depressing thing I've ever read. Given the number of conversations I've had on here whining about the 50% tax rate and how it's going to make the bankers leave in droves. Now they will stay, pay shedloads less tax but their employees' wives will still moan

Hassled · 08/02/2011 20:09

Bloody hell. Truly shocking is right. Why is this tucked away on the Comment page - why is it not on the front page?

LadyBiscuit · 08/02/2011 20:16

Sorry that sounded horribly sexist but I'm never had a row with someone who is actually going to pay 50%, only their wives.

OmicronPersei8 · 08/02/2011 20:24

I need an [incredibly glum] emoticon.

MmeLindt · 08/02/2011 20:32

Wow. That is stunning. Thanks for posting.

WetAugust · 08/02/2011 20:42

Typical Grunaird bias.

So they want to give people investing money in Britain the same tax advantages as currently exist in switzerland. And that's Bad thing? Why? Surely it will create jobs?

Hong Kong was built on virtually zero taxation and is still so today. Low taxation creates wealth.

we can't fund this country merely by creaming off some tax from profits that companies made abroad. We have to create the right environment and market for job creation. This is a step in the right direction.

WetAugust · 08/02/2011 20:44

About Hong Kong

gohongkong.about.com/od/businessbasics/a/HongKongTax.htm

rabbitstew · 08/02/2011 20:49

I don't think I would like the life of the majority of people living in Hong Kong AT ALL - only the top tiny percentage. Don't fancy living in Switzerland much, either - sounds like a rather secretive, sexist society to live in, particularly as a non-ex pat. If we want the majority of people in this country to live in crowded tenements and a few exceptionally wealthy, mainly non-nationals to enjoy it, then we're going in the right direction.

Francagoestohollywood · 08/02/2011 20:55

Blimey.

Original poster
granted · 08/02/2011 21:02

It's not often that an article on the Comments pages gets over 1300 people agreeing with a poster who suggested revolution!

The article kind of takes your breath away.

OP posts:
LegoStuckinmyhoover · 08/02/2011 21:04

Hong-Kong? Creates wealth for whom exactly? creates jobs? are you sure? do people having to live in cages have anything to do with low taxation?

A fantastic article and spot on. well done the Guardian [again].

MmeLindt · 08/02/2011 21:12

Rabbitstew
Life in Switzerland is jolly nice. As an expat. Unfortunately for the locals, the influx of expats, often with housing allowances from their companies meant that the house prices have soared.

The Swiss do earn a good bit more than the Brits but that all goes on housing. Monthly rentals start at around CHF 2000 for a 3 bed flat and upwards of CHF 4000 for a house. (£2500).

The locals have to look for cheap flats in neighbouring France, or in dingy areas of town.

Creating jobs - yes, more rich expats. Is life better for the Swiss? Yes, for those who have real estate or who live from the money that the expats bring into the country. But they still live in one of the most expensive cities in the world.

Original poster
granted · 08/02/2011 21:19

Have posted on AIBU too - I feel this deserves as big an audience as possible.

OP posts:
bullet234 · 08/02/2011 21:30

Thank you for letting us know about this.

Tolalola · 08/02/2011 21:44

God how depressing is that?

I've posted it to my Facebook so all my friends can be depressed too.

BoffinMum · 08/02/2011 21:47

What on earth can we do about this without getting kettled??

rabbitstew · 08/02/2011 21:50

Hi, MmeLindt - I was right then, it isn't so great for the non-expats. Maybe a bit unfair about the secretive and sexist bit?

MmeLindt · 08/02/2011 22:22

Sexist - yes. Or rather not particularly advanced on women's issues.

Secretive - the banks yes, not sure about the rest of society. I live in an expat bubble.

rabbitstew · 09/02/2011 07:34

BoffinMum - get the police and army on-side?

dotnet · 09/02/2011 10:16

Wish we could, rabbitstew! Our PM lightly disguised his real identity by anagram. Unscramble Cameron and egyptyfy, and what do you get - Kamurab.
(Kamurab - Mubarak - geddit?!) Wink