Yesterday, 4th May 2013 the 'We are the Ninetynine Percent People's Unity' protest took place in London. Beginning and ending in Trafalgar Square with a march to the houses of Parliament and back.
The reasons for the protest ?....
Well one was austerity measures being made by the government in the aftermath of the financial and on going economic crisis.
Some were there to protest against the corporate corruption that obviously contributed to the original crisis which the 'Occupy' protests were partly about.
Some were there to protest against tax avoidance of corporations.
But there were a couple of issues which have been prevalent in the news (or social media any way) in recent weeks. These are;
1 The bedroom Tax.
2 The 'stealth' privatization of the NHS.
There were plenty of people there yesterday protesting against either of these two.
However this brings us to yet another reason for some protesters to be there. This is the main stream media coverage of the House of Commons imminent handing over of 75% of NHS Services to privatization. The way this has been blacked out by most TV Channels and newspapers, even with all the other issues was possibly the worst and most worrying. This was done in a way that you would expect from a country that is under control by an evil dictator.
Because of this media blackout there were fewer people at Trafalgar Square then there surely otherwise would have been. But even more importantly, the possibility of these media blackouts happening is something that we all must be made aware of for the future. It shows that politicians can not be trusted by any one. The media would have reported the Privatization of the NHS to the public but has been successfully gagged by the government.
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This then brings me then to the reason for writing this post.
During the 'Occupy' protests that went on all over the world, the media seemed to do a terrible job in covering what was a major story. Although organizers of protests had gone to much trouble, and people traveled many miles to get to a protest, and the inconvenience (understatement I know) that the protesters went to sleeping in tents and in what can only be described as very challenging conditions, seemed to almost go unnoticed by the press and media. It was surprising that when ever any one was asked by a TV company for a response to what was going on, they would find some one who could answer the question in may be only a few words. They should have made more of an effort to find people who really understand what is going on. But this I am sure was intentional. Papers and news papers came out with this 'It's about corporate greed.'
Well if you're still coming out with this BBC, people don't go to these lengths because people are greedy. But do if those same people happen to be fraudulent,corrupt and thieves.
So back to the 'Ninety Nine Percent Peoples's Unity Protest.'
Here are some of the reasons they gave to me for being there..............
Nancy (First from left) is appalled by the media blackout of the announcement in recent days of the of the privatization of 75% of the NHS.
Also there was nothing on any manifesto of the politicians who are currently running the country, to warn them of the possibility of the NHS being privatized. Doesn't wnat national Insurance money going to Care U.K. and Virgin.
She also objected to Austerity affecting the poor most.
Objected to targets being set by politicians who have little knowledge in the services under their control. Policing, NHS and Teaching. Services are suffering whilst boxes are just being ticked.
No genuine alternative government.
Kevin (Second Left)
Austerity cuts were too much too soon. But also supported Nancy's opinions.
Sonia (3rd from left)
Wants to live in a real democracy. Currently, politicians con their way in to power by misleading the public. Then do whatever they like once in power. Then it is too late for the people to do any thing about it.
Government is getting away with this due to ignorance of the majority of people, though this is vastly contributed to by the government's manipulation of the media (Media blackouts) .
Sam (Works for NHS) (4th from left)
Objected to over crowding in hospitals. She had seen emergency patients turned away from a hospital she works at.
Objected to financial responsibilities being handed from the NHS trusts to individual GPs.
'Anonymous'. (Holding sign with green lettering).
Protesting about the Austerity measures --Cuts, as well as corporate tax avoidance, corporate interests of politicians as well as many other issues.
Took on responsibility of educating the masses that turned up for the protest and any passing tourists using a megaphone. In his two years as a protester, he has a accumulated a wealth of knowledge in what we all should be on the streets protesting about and the government should be listening to.
Anonymous doesn't go to these protests to vent personal grievances.
He's there to speak for the people. He 'turns up for work' as well dressed as you would expect some one to enter a West London haunt of a wealthy stock broker or banker.
Note on ' Anonymous' protest group. Anonymous is the name of a protest group. But 'anons' like to keep there identity a mystery. Hence will call themselves just 'Anonymous'. They can be recognized by the now well known Guy Fawkes masks.
Terry (Teacher and charity worker) & Lesley holding banner below.
Terry: Protesting that NHS has been sold off behind our backs.
Austerity is not working. Cuts hitting the people with the least to start with. The disabled and poor.
Lesley: Against hounding of 'small people' whilst letting corporations avoid taxation.
Whilst corporations get finance easily, finance for privatization etc, small more productive businesses that generate employment can not get finance.
The idea behind the banner was that, if 'We, the people' were running the country instead of the current politicians they could do a better job of it.
Aoife Kyna (Joyful Warrior) With 'Peace' flag.
"I'm protesting about the Governments attack on vulnerable people. I feel people are really suffering."
"I can't sleep at night unless I try to change things."
"People say 'Do you think it will make any difference?'. I tell them I have to try."
Began protesting when Maggie Thatcher brought in the Poll Tax.
The peace flag is to remind people that we were there for a peaceful protest.
But Aoife is also a Piece activist, protesting against a number of wars.
Jim (Teacher), Elise & 'Love'
Jim (Left). Currently a further education teacher of 16-19 year olds. Will find out this week if he still has a job. Cuts and reductions in budgets mean he may be losing his job. He says that teachers are having an extremely stressful situation put upon them. To add to this, the government tries to blame the teachers for problems whilst the government's interference and lack of budget is the problem. He says that all though teachers are paid a wage that reflects the holidays teachers apparently have when schools are closed, he is often working during those holidays effectively for nothing.
'Love' on the right; "I'm protesting about the treatment of the disabled, old and poor. They are all being hit the hardest. Also the sustained attack by the media that we (people on disability benefits) are scroungers !"
"The government has broken it's contract with the people. Whilst the people have paid their taxes and national insurance, the government has impoverished the nation."
"The rich are taking from poor! Handouts from poor to rich! Poor subsidizing millionaires!"
"The media has had a gagging order placed on it by the government!"
Tim (Youth Worker) & Dan ( Founder of 'The Ninety nine Percent People's Unity')
Dan(right) is protesting because "It is a Draconian Society running the country."
"The austerity program has been proven not to work."
"Corporations are controlling the country instead of people."
Dan formed the 'Ninety nine Percent People's Unity.'
Attempted to form a political party which people could support through social media. After many thousands had pledged their support for the party the face book page leading the campaign was closed down, probably by political forces.
Tim (left) is a Youth worker.
"People have lost faith in the political system. Only 44% turned out at the last election."
"We need to stop corruption and manipulation in businesses. For example the oil industry trying to slow down our progress to a conversion to new energy sources."
"Activist groups will join together and grow."
"There has to be time when people will say, 'What's happening just isn't right.'
"We must stop believing what the news papers are telling us is all true."
As a youth worker, he said he was also well aware that there would be more young people protesting, if they had money for transport to get there.
Ann
Traveled from Surrey to take part in the protest.
Protesting about austerity measures.
"I'm protesting because the rich are taking from the poor through cuts to services and benefits paying for bank bailouts and bonuses."
"We need a new government."
"There has been a media blackout on privatization of the NHS"
Angie
Traveled from Bristol for the protest.
As you can see she was there to protest against the spare room tax.
A short time ago, she was rehoused by the council. But now is being asked to pay the spare room tax on her home. She has no spare room. She has two sons. One 14 and one 15. As one of them has a disability, she is also a full time carer so can not take on work to pay the extra money which is £14 per week. The two sons are now expected by David Cameron to share the same room.
The travesty of this is that there are thousands of spare rooms in properties all over the country, but the owners won't be taxed on them. They include those with multiple properties which include many Lords and MPs.
Also landlords who have accumulated masses of properties with the help of the banks. Landlords have been raising rent whilst tenants are being forced to pay for the cuts. -Uncontrolled raising of rents means tenants move more often than home buyers. -Tenants are being evicted when charges become too high- The more moving there is, the more empty homes there are whilst new tenants are found.......These properties can be vacant for six months or more ! Hence a lot of spare rooms in vacant homes...... The fact that many landlords do not rely on the income means they may not bother to reduce the rate of rent........These same landlords are actually being helped instead of being taxed with the funding for lending scheme. They are therefore going to accumulate more properties and increase the welfare bill in the future !.............Why is it that landlords are being allowed to increase rent and are immune from taxation..................Vested interests as many Lords have investments in property companies presumably.
The question is ;How much of that welfare bill is going to landlords?
............David Cameron.......It is this figure that should be the focus for welfare cuts. By this I mean the amount of money that the landlords are receiving. Not the money the less fortunate are having to find to enrich the wealthy. Not single parents with disabled children !
Silver Fox.
(You can just seem him in the bottom left of the photo opposite taken by Sun Prints' at the protest).
Protesting about austerity measures, but still wants bankers dealt with.
"Our banks should have been allowed to fail. Just as they were in Iceland. The finance industry in Iceland is now much stronger as a result. Because they know that their people are not waiting with a safety net to catch them when things go wrong."
"I also have my pet hate which is the Rembrancer. He validates legislation behind the Speaker in the house of commons."
"I would have protested here today against the rembrancer alone. He has a £5.3 Million budget which pays for staff and an office."
Deb
"We live under a corrupt dictatorship."
"I am affected by the welfare cuts because I have a son who has VCFS Syndrome. People with this syndrome under this government are having their benefits reduced. "
"As a result of the benefit cuts, my son and I are £28 a week worse off."
"Access to disability services has become non-existent."
Jane (School Teacher)
"I'm protesting about Privatization and MPs having a vested interest in the privatization of the NHS. MPs should not be allowed to do another job which could obscure decisions they make on our behalf. This has clearly influenced the recent vote to privatize the NHS"
"I have been protesting since the poll tax. Went to the October austerity march. I am going to the Bilderberg protest in Watford soon."
"I where the mask as as I prefer to remain anonymous as a protester, partly because of my job.....But this is also a symbol representing 'Anonymous'.....It is a group of like minded people that take part in peaceful protests. It is recognized all over the world. Any one can become part of 'Anonymous'."
Tina & Julie
"We are protesting about many issues."
"Shail Gas Extraction."
"The bail out of banks."
"The HRMC -Goldman Sachs
£10 Million let off scandle."
"Stealth privatization of the NHS and schools."
"We are also protesting about the police force starting salary being reduced. This will affect the future standards of policing."
'Took part in 'Occupy London' & 'Occupy the London Stock Exchange.'
James & Mona.
"We are protesting about Agenda 21,"
"Corruption in the Financial system."
"The selling off of the NHS."
"We want to show the world what is going on. We are showing our faces, Not wearing masks.
We also protest about 'Bedroom tax' and cuts affecting disabled. Many of the cuts, many people will not be aware of until something happens to them or family member, when they suddenly become affected."
"We also protest that the finance industry remains in control regardless of the political party who wins an election."
"There is also the media affect. Why was what happened with Iceland's banks hidden by the media. Iceland's government let banks crash but now have a much improved system which is making forward progress. News on this however could only be found on internet."
Jack & Sam. ( No pic...Walking with flag)
Jack.
Jack was protesting that the welfare bill had been reduced by £1.1 Billion.
Also about tax avoidance by corporations.
"We are not the real scroungers".
Sam.
Sam is a teacher of further education.
"I'm upset about policies that appear to blame working class people for all the problems."
"It's now harder to get loans for training for teaching."
"This is going to affect Britain's reputation and high standards of teaching in the future."
(If you have a picture of Jack and Sam, I would like to add it as I seem to have lost the pic I took ! They were walking with I think a green 'Anonymous' flag).
I would like to say here, what a great experience it was talk to all kinds of people on May 4th. Some times I have felt that may be I had got it wrong. Because I found it difficult to believe how bad the current government and previous governments had done in the U.K......And in fact, going back to Maggie Thatcher's day (See my previous post).
However there are lots of things going on in the financial industry which are well hidden by the politicians and also the media. You may think you already know but I am afraid unless you spend months or years investigating the financial industry you will not be aware of the problems within. This post has high-lighted the corruption of the media with what has happened with the privatization of the NHS. You should then start to ask your self if other vital information is being with held by the press and media.......
...........Lets go into a few details about what privatization of the NHS will mean........
First of all massive debt will be added as a result. It is the debt that will be used by what are primarily financial businesses which will according to the government 'run' the businesses. Debt which suffering people will be asked to find. Of course we will be offered insurance which will prevent many from paying out for expensive treatment when it becomes necessary. But look at the situation today with unemployment still out of control. How many will not be able to afford insurance to protect themselves?
Second is this. Though private equity companies will say they are 'running' these businesses, if you was to ask some body working for a company who had their business employer taken over in this way, they are likely to tell you that these people do not contribute very much towards running a taken over business. These people will be rarely seen if at all. But you will be aware of them alright. Because there will be less staff,as your work mates have been made redundant. Those who are left will have a bigger work load. Money saved from redundancies will help pay the loan off which was used to buy the business or contract.
Due to the costs rising due to debt and also the pension funds which also need paying (they are the banks' safety net for the loans), prices will rise to customers, which in this case includes tax payers. If there is no extra money available from taxes, then some people are clearly going to suffer.
Any way, back to the point;
The government has hidden what is going on from the majority of people as far as the NHS is concerned. So the question to ask is what else has been hidden?
There is a lot of stuff going on in the financial industry, but the media does not explain it very well. Simply because the financial industry does not want you to understand.........Because if you did, you may not want them to use your savings in a bank account, or your pension.
You here about buyouts all the time. Apparently they are good news. If you are a bank lending the money or the executives they surely are but what about the rest of us?
Buyouts. (Corporate , Management, Private Equity)
These are all funded by banks and it seems to be a condition of these buyouts that those buying will borrow a vast amount of the money. (Incidentally, you may not be aware that, mergers involve both businesses borrowing money) The people borrowing do not have to pay back the money as the debt usually gets left with the business that is being purchased.....These buyouts need no business plan. Yet they add substantial debt to the businesses. The executives and the bankers will be rewarded from the deal........But costs will go up for the bought out company. But should that company fail to increase revenue to cover interest payments it may go out of business. But whilst this may happen, outstanding debt will be paid off by pension funds which will be used to guarantee the finance behind the buyout..........Banks therefore have no reason to worry if they over burden a business with debt. Pension funds will be expected to pay off any mortgage regardless. My reason for protest is this is an unsustainable system that encourages executives and bankers to put businesses into serious financial problems.
The net result of irresponsibility which may influence these businesses is ;
1....Failure of businesses that we may rely on.
2....An unjustified loss of jobs which is caused by irresponsible debt. (After a buyout and later after the new business collapses under the debt.
3....A failure of pension funds to give a reasonable return on savings for retirement.
4....A loss of GDP and taxes. Both of these will contribute to our national debt.........Unnecessary closures of businesses will increase the deficit, the difference between the U.K.s income and out goings. The losses of these businesses will reduce corporation tax, VAT and income tax. Then there is the substantial rise in something we have all been made aware of recently. The welfare bill !
Well there is my addition to the 'The 99 % People's Unity Protest', or I suppose the next protest in June. We need to do something about these buyouts, because they are a drain on the economy, if only in rising costs of the businesses involved due to the added costs of debt. But the other factor is that money used for these buyouts, and they are increasing in number currently, could be used in ways that would have a positive affect on the economy. For example to fund buying and building of homes. Costs of the buyout deals are lower as it's easier to do a $10 Billion deal then say 10,000 $100,000 mortgages! Arranging the big buyouts takes many less man hours.
From the banks' point of view it is economically the right policy. But taking into account the money they are using belongs to savers, they should be investing that money in what the savers want it invested in. In most cases savers I believe would want money invested in sustainability and in genuine job creation. In some situations, take overs are justified by the financial industry because one may be saved by another due to debts the troubled business has taken on. But I have to break it to you that the troubles of companies are often down to a previous buy out or irresponsible refinancing. Issues of bonds for example. These are much like financial time bombs set to go off in possibly seven years after issue. You can find more on this on other X-ECONOMICS posts.
Finally, the motivation for profit of the banks is clearly having a substantial (if not devastating) affect on the economy. If the banks were owned by the public, they would be orientated to doing a job for the economy from which we could all benefit. It really wouldn't matter if they lost a small amount. The difference could come from high tax bracket earners. It would be a small price to pay for what would surely be an economy where at least the majority, and an increasing majority would be rewarded for work. Businesses could continue to offer services and products we need without being burdened by unnecessary debt. Then continue to minimize the deffeceit and thus potentially reduce the national debt !
If you agree then, you could have a banner that said ;
"Buyouts are just a way for banks to get on the payrolls of big businesses !!"
And that I am afraid to say is, that is what they would appear to be. Obviously there are major logistical problems here. This is an international problem. But as one of the two leading nations in the finance industry in the world, we should use our influence to benefit the world. Whilst we still have a chance.
The buyouts are one thing we could do without. Bonds are another. That's just a couple of issues from probably a list of a dozen which need to change in the financial industry. We must work together with the people of the U.S. Europe and the rest of the world to make necessary changes. Because without these changes we will remain on a down hill slope to God only knows where.
Thanks to every one who helped.
Hopefully this post will open more people's eyes to what we should be protesting about. And the main stream media to take more notice of what we are protesting about.
See you at the next protest.
Well one was austerity measures being made by the government in the aftermath of the financial and on going economic crisis.
Some were there to protest against the corporate corruption that obviously contributed to the original crisis which the 'Occupy' protests were partly about.
Some were there to protest against tax avoidance of corporations.
But there were a couple of issues which have been prevalent in the news (or social media any way) in recent weeks. These are;
1 The bedroom Tax.
2 The 'stealth' privatization of the NHS.
There were plenty of people there yesterday protesting against either of these two.
However this brings us to yet another reason for some protesters to be there. This is the main stream media coverage of the House of Commons imminent handing over of 75% of NHS Services to privatization. The way this has been blacked out by most TV Channels and newspapers, even with all the other issues was possibly the worst and most worrying. This was done in a way that you would expect from a country that is under control by an evil dictator.
Because of this media blackout there were fewer people at Trafalgar Square then there surely otherwise would have been. But even more importantly, the possibility of these media blackouts happening is something that we all must be made aware of for the future. It shows that politicians can not be trusted by any one. The media would have reported the Privatization of the NHS to the public but has been successfully gagged by the government.
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This then brings me then to the reason for writing this post.
During the 'Occupy' protests that went on all over the world, the media seemed to do a terrible job in covering what was a major story. Although organizers of protests had gone to much trouble, and people traveled many miles to get to a protest, and the inconvenience (understatement I know) that the protesters went to sleeping in tents and in what can only be described as very challenging conditions, seemed to almost go unnoticed by the press and media. It was surprising that when ever any one was asked by a TV company for a response to what was going on, they would find some one who could answer the question in may be only a few words. They should have made more of an effort to find people who really understand what is going on. But this I am sure was intentional. Papers and news papers came out with this 'It's about corporate greed.'
Well if you're still coming out with this BBC, people don't go to these lengths because people are greedy. But do if those same people happen to be fraudulent,corrupt and thieves.
So back to the 'Ninety Nine Percent Peoples's Unity Protest.'
Here are some of the reasons they gave to me for being there..............
Nancy (First from left) is appalled by the media blackout of the announcement in recent days of the of the privatization of 75% of the NHS.Also there was nothing on any manifesto of the politicians who are currently running the country, to warn them of the possibility of the NHS being privatized. Doesn't wnat national Insurance money going to Care U.K. and Virgin.
She also objected to Austerity affecting the poor most.
Objected to targets being set by politicians who have little knowledge in the services under their control. Policing, NHS and Teaching. Services are suffering whilst boxes are just being ticked.
No genuine alternative government.
Kevin (Second Left)
Austerity cuts were too much too soon. But also supported Nancy's opinions.
Sonia (3rd from left)
Wants to live in a real democracy. Currently, politicians con their way in to power by misleading the public. Then do whatever they like once in power. Then it is too late for the people to do any thing about it.
Government is getting away with this due to ignorance of the majority of people, though this is vastly contributed to by the government's manipulation of the media (Media blackouts) .
Sam (Works for NHS) (4th from left)
Objected to over crowding in hospitals. She had seen emergency patients turned away from a hospital she works at.
Objected to financial responsibilities being handed from the NHS trusts to individual GPs.
'Anonymous'. (Holding sign with green lettering).Protesting about the Austerity measures --Cuts, as well as corporate tax avoidance, corporate interests of politicians as well as many other issues.
Took on responsibility of educating the masses that turned up for the protest and any passing tourists using a megaphone. In his two years as a protester, he has a accumulated a wealth of knowledge in what we all should be on the streets protesting about and the government should be listening to.
Anonymous doesn't go to these protests to vent personal grievances.
He's there to speak for the people. He 'turns up for work' as well dressed as you would expect some one to enter a West London haunt of a wealthy stock broker or banker.
Note on ' Anonymous' protest group. Anonymous is the name of a protest group. But 'anons' like to keep there identity a mystery. Hence will call themselves just 'Anonymous'. They can be recognized by the now well known Guy Fawkes masks.
Terry (Teacher and charity worker) & Lesley holding banner below.
Terry: Protesting that NHS has been sold off behind our backs.Austerity is not working. Cuts hitting the people with the least to start with. The disabled and poor.
Lesley: Against hounding of 'small people' whilst letting corporations avoid taxation.
Whilst corporations get finance easily, finance for privatization etc, small more productive businesses that generate employment can not get finance.
The idea behind the banner was that, if 'We, the people' were running the country instead of the current politicians they could do a better job of it.
Aoife Kyna (Joyful Warrior) With 'Peace' flag."I'm protesting about the Governments attack on vulnerable people. I feel people are really suffering."
"I can't sleep at night unless I try to change things."
"People say 'Do you think it will make any difference?'. I tell them I have to try."
Began protesting when Maggie Thatcher brought in the Poll Tax.
The peace flag is to remind people that we were there for a peaceful protest.
But Aoife is also a Piece activist, protesting against a number of wars.
Jim (Teacher), Elise & 'Love'
Jim (Left). Currently a further education teacher of 16-19 year olds. Will find out this week if he still has a job. Cuts and reductions in budgets mean he may be losing his job. He says that teachers are having an extremely stressful situation put upon them. To add to this, the government tries to blame the teachers for problems whilst the government's interference and lack of budget is the problem. He says that all though teachers are paid a wage that reflects the holidays teachers apparently have when schools are closed, he is often working during those holidays effectively for nothing.
'Love' on the right; "I'm protesting about the treatment of the disabled, old and poor. They are all being hit the hardest. Also the sustained attack by the media that we (people on disability benefits) are scroungers !"
"The government has broken it's contract with the people. Whilst the people have paid their taxes and national insurance, the government has impoverished the nation."
"The rich are taking from poor! Handouts from poor to rich! Poor subsidizing millionaires!"
"The media has had a gagging order placed on it by the government!"
Tim (Youth Worker) & Dan ( Founder of 'The Ninety nine Percent People's Unity')
 |
| Tim & Dan |
"The austerity program has been proven not to work."
"Corporations are controlling the country instead of people."
Dan formed the 'Ninety nine Percent People's Unity.'
Attempted to form a political party which people could support through social media. After many thousands had pledged their support for the party the face book page leading the campaign was closed down, probably by political forces.
Tim (left) is a Youth worker.
"People have lost faith in the political system. Only 44% turned out at the last election."
"We need to stop corruption and manipulation in businesses. For example the oil industry trying to slow down our progress to a conversion to new energy sources."
"Activist groups will join together and grow."
"There has to be time when people will say, 'What's happening just isn't right.'
"We must stop believing what the news papers are telling us is all true."
As a youth worker, he said he was also well aware that there would be more young people protesting, if they had money for transport to get there.
 |
| Ann |
Traveled from Surrey to take part in the protest.
Protesting about austerity measures.
"I'm protesting because the rich are taking from the poor through cuts to services and benefits paying for bank bailouts and bonuses."
"We need a new government."
"There has been a media blackout on privatization of the NHS"
 |
| Angie |
Angie
Traveled from Bristol for the protest.
As you can see she was there to protest against the spare room tax.
A short time ago, she was rehoused by the council. But now is being asked to pay the spare room tax on her home. She has no spare room. She has two sons. One 14 and one 15. As one of them has a disability, she is also a full time carer so can not take on work to pay the extra money which is £14 per week. The two sons are now expected by David Cameron to share the same room.
The travesty of this is that there are thousands of spare rooms in properties all over the country, but the owners won't be taxed on them. They include those with multiple properties which include many Lords and MPs.
Also landlords who have accumulated masses of properties with the help of the banks. Landlords have been raising rent whilst tenants are being forced to pay for the cuts. -Uncontrolled raising of rents means tenants move more often than home buyers. -Tenants are being evicted when charges become too high- The more moving there is, the more empty homes there are whilst new tenants are found.......These properties can be vacant for six months or more ! Hence a lot of spare rooms in vacant homes...... The fact that many landlords do not rely on the income means they may not bother to reduce the rate of rent........These same landlords are actually being helped instead of being taxed with the funding for lending scheme. They are therefore going to accumulate more properties and increase the welfare bill in the future !.............Why is it that landlords are being allowed to increase rent and are immune from taxation..................Vested interests as many Lords have investments in property companies presumably.
The question is ;How much of that welfare bill is going to landlords?
............David Cameron.......It is this figure that should be the focus for welfare cuts. By this I mean the amount of money that the landlords are receiving. Not the money the less fortunate are having to find to enrich the wealthy. Not single parents with disabled children !
 |
| Silver Fox (Bottom left of picture) |
Silver Fox.
(You can just seem him in the bottom left of the photo opposite taken by Sun Prints' at the protest).
Protesting about austerity measures, but still wants bankers dealt with.
"Our banks should have been allowed to fail. Just as they were in Iceland. The finance industry in Iceland is now much stronger as a result. Because they know that their people are not waiting with a safety net to catch them when things go wrong."
"I also have my pet hate which is the Rembrancer. He validates legislation behind the Speaker in the house of commons."
"I would have protested here today against the rembrancer alone. He has a £5.3 Million budget which pays for staff and an office."
 |
| Deb & Jane |
Deb
"We live under a corrupt dictatorship."
"I am affected by the welfare cuts because I have a son who has VCFS Syndrome. People with this syndrome under this government are having their benefits reduced. "
"As a result of the benefit cuts, my son and I are £28 a week worse off."
"Access to disability services has become non-existent."
Jane (School Teacher)
"I'm protesting about Privatization and MPs having a vested interest in the privatization of the NHS. MPs should not be allowed to do another job which could obscure decisions they make on our behalf. This has clearly influenced the recent vote to privatize the NHS"
"I have been protesting since the poll tax. Went to the October austerity march. I am going to the Bilderberg protest in Watford soon."
"I where the mask as as I prefer to remain anonymous as a protester, partly because of my job.....But this is also a symbol representing 'Anonymous'.....It is a group of like minded people that take part in peaceful protests. It is recognized all over the world. Any one can become part of 'Anonymous'."
 |
| Tina & Julie (Sisters in pink) |
"We are protesting about many issues."
"Shail Gas Extraction."
"The bail out of banks."
"The HRMC -Goldman Sachs
£10 Million let off scandle."
"Stealth privatization of the NHS and schools."
"We are also protesting about the police force starting salary being reduced. This will affect the future standards of policing."
'Took part in 'Occupy London' & 'Occupy the London Stock Exchange.'
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| James & Mona |
"We are protesting about Agenda 21,"
"Corruption in the Financial system."
"The selling off of the NHS."
"We want to show the world what is going on. We are showing our faces, Not wearing masks.
We also protest about 'Bedroom tax' and cuts affecting disabled. Many of the cuts, many people will not be aware of until something happens to them or family member, when they suddenly become affected."
"We also protest that the finance industry remains in control regardless of the political party who wins an election."
"There is also the media affect. Why was what happened with Iceland's banks hidden by the media. Iceland's government let banks crash but now have a much improved system which is making forward progress. News on this however could only be found on internet."
Jack & Sam. ( No pic...Walking with flag)
Jack.
Jack was protesting that the welfare bill had been reduced by £1.1 Billion.
Also about tax avoidance by corporations.
"We are not the real scroungers".
Sam.
Sam is a teacher of further education.
"I'm upset about policies that appear to blame working class people for all the problems."
"It's now harder to get loans for training for teaching."
"This is going to affect Britain's reputation and high standards of teaching in the future."
(If you have a picture of Jack and Sam, I would like to add it as I seem to have lost the pic I took ! They were walking with I think a green 'Anonymous' flag).
I would like to say here, what a great experience it was talk to all kinds of people on May 4th. Some times I have felt that may be I had got it wrong. Because I found it difficult to believe how bad the current government and previous governments had done in the U.K......And in fact, going back to Maggie Thatcher's day (See my previous post).
However there are lots of things going on in the financial industry which are well hidden by the politicians and also the media. You may think you already know but I am afraid unless you spend months or years investigating the financial industry you will not be aware of the problems within. This post has high-lighted the corruption of the media with what has happened with the privatization of the NHS. You should then start to ask your self if other vital information is being with held by the press and media.......
...........Lets go into a few details about what privatization of the NHS will mean........
First of all massive debt will be added as a result. It is the debt that will be used by what are primarily financial businesses which will according to the government 'run' the businesses. Debt which suffering people will be asked to find. Of course we will be offered insurance which will prevent many from paying out for expensive treatment when it becomes necessary. But look at the situation today with unemployment still out of control. How many will not be able to afford insurance to protect themselves?
Second is this. Though private equity companies will say they are 'running' these businesses, if you was to ask some body working for a company who had their business employer taken over in this way, they are likely to tell you that these people do not contribute very much towards running a taken over business. These people will be rarely seen if at all. But you will be aware of them alright. Because there will be less staff,as your work mates have been made redundant. Those who are left will have a bigger work load. Money saved from redundancies will help pay the loan off which was used to buy the business or contract.
Due to the costs rising due to debt and also the pension funds which also need paying (they are the banks' safety net for the loans), prices will rise to customers, which in this case includes tax payers. If there is no extra money available from taxes, then some people are clearly going to suffer.
Any way, back to the point;
The government has hidden what is going on from the majority of people as far as the NHS is concerned. So the question to ask is what else has been hidden?
There is a lot of stuff going on in the financial industry, but the media does not explain it very well. Simply because the financial industry does not want you to understand.........Because if you did, you may not want them to use your savings in a bank account, or your pension.
You here about buyouts all the time. Apparently they are good news. If you are a bank lending the money or the executives they surely are but what about the rest of us?
Buyouts. (Corporate , Management, Private Equity)
These are all funded by banks and it seems to be a condition of these buyouts that those buying will borrow a vast amount of the money. (Incidentally, you may not be aware that, mergers involve both businesses borrowing money) The people borrowing do not have to pay back the money as the debt usually gets left with the business that is being purchased.....These buyouts need no business plan. Yet they add substantial debt to the businesses. The executives and the bankers will be rewarded from the deal........But costs will go up for the bought out company. But should that company fail to increase revenue to cover interest payments it may go out of business. But whilst this may happen, outstanding debt will be paid off by pension funds which will be used to guarantee the finance behind the buyout..........Banks therefore have no reason to worry if they over burden a business with debt. Pension funds will be expected to pay off any mortgage regardless. My reason for protest is this is an unsustainable system that encourages executives and bankers to put businesses into serious financial problems.
The net result of irresponsibility which may influence these businesses is ;
1....Failure of businesses that we may rely on.
2....An unjustified loss of jobs which is caused by irresponsible debt. (After a buyout and later after the new business collapses under the debt.
3....A failure of pension funds to give a reasonable return on savings for retirement.
4....A loss of GDP and taxes. Both of these will contribute to our national debt.........Unnecessary closures of businesses will increase the deficit, the difference between the U.K.s income and out goings. The losses of these businesses will reduce corporation tax, VAT and income tax. Then there is the substantial rise in something we have all been made aware of recently. The welfare bill !
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| American Airways & US Airlines merger. |
Well there is my addition to the 'The 99 % People's Unity Protest', or I suppose the next protest in June. We need to do something about these buyouts, because they are a drain on the economy, if only in rising costs of the businesses involved due to the added costs of debt. But the other factor is that money used for these buyouts, and they are increasing in number currently, could be used in ways that would have a positive affect on the economy. For example to fund buying and building of homes. Costs of the buyout deals are lower as it's easier to do a $10 Billion deal then say 10,000 $100,000 mortgages! Arranging the big buyouts takes many less man hours.
From the banks' point of view it is economically the right policy. But taking into account the money they are using belongs to savers, they should be investing that money in what the savers want it invested in. In most cases savers I believe would want money invested in sustainability and in genuine job creation. In some situations, take overs are justified by the financial industry because one may be saved by another due to debts the troubled business has taken on. But I have to break it to you that the troubles of companies are often down to a previous buy out or irresponsible refinancing. Issues of bonds for example. These are much like financial time bombs set to go off in possibly seven years after issue. You can find more on this on other X-ECONOMICS posts.
Finally, the motivation for profit of the banks is clearly having a substantial (if not devastating) affect on the economy. If the banks were owned by the public, they would be orientated to doing a job for the economy from which we could all benefit. It really wouldn't matter if they lost a small amount. The difference could come from high tax bracket earners. It would be a small price to pay for what would surely be an economy where at least the majority, and an increasing majority would be rewarded for work. Businesses could continue to offer services and products we need without being burdened by unnecessary debt. Then continue to minimize the deffeceit and thus potentially reduce the national debt !
If you agree then, you could have a banner that said ;
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| Buyout of Heinz buy Warren Buffet. $12 Bn of debt on Heinz. |
And that I am afraid to say is, that is what they would appear to be. Obviously there are major logistical problems here. This is an international problem. But as one of the two leading nations in the finance industry in the world, we should use our influence to benefit the world. Whilst we still have a chance.
The buyouts are one thing we could do without. Bonds are another. That's just a couple of issues from probably a list of a dozen which need to change in the financial industry. We must work together with the people of the U.S. Europe and the rest of the world to make necessary changes. Because without these changes we will remain on a down hill slope to God only knows where.
Thanks to every one who helped.
Hopefully this post will open more people's eyes to what we should be protesting about. And the main stream media to take more notice of what we are protesting about.
See you at the next protest.
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