tag:wisty8golf.blog.co.uk,2009-11-21:/MokoFeed2009-11-21T01:43:26+01:00tag:wisty8golf.blog.co.uk,2009-11-13:/2009/11/13/this-consistent-government-7365918/wisty8golf2009-11-13T12:23:02+01:002009-11-13T12:23:02+01:00 <p>I will say one thing for this Labour government, whenever a spokesman is wheeled out to discuss the war in Afghanistan, he or she makes sure that three phrases are always included. These are :-<br> 1) Our brave British soldiers<br> 2) We are part of a 43 nation coalition<br> 3) We are protecting the streets of London from terrorism.</p> <p>Let us examine these in detail and what is behind their regular use ?</p> <p>1) Nobody is doubting the bravery of the British soldier, but we are meant to feel guilty because if we condemn the war we condemn our troops.</p> <p>2)It is true that there are 43 nations troops in Afghanistan but the numbers of each countries contribution is never mentioned. The vast majority of these countries have less than 50 soldiers out there and most of these are observers not fighters and virtually none in the dangerous Helmand province.</p> <p>3) Our presence in Afghanistan is keeping the streets of London safe from terrorist. How many terrorists involved in 911 and Tube bombings came from Afghanistan.....Exactly None. The tube bombers were home grown and the 911 flyers came from France, Germany and Saudi.</p> <p>Please don't treat us as children...Next time you see a government spokesman, count how many times they trot out the above. You know I am right </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wisty8golf.blog.co.uk/2009/11/13/this-consistent-government-7365918/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:wisty8golf.blog.co.uk,2009-07-22:/2009/07/22/knife-crime-stabalised-6565764/wisty8golf2009-07-22T12:17:38+02:002009-07-22T13:03:45+02:00 <p>One of the many things that this Government promised when they came to power was the end of "Spin"</p> <p>Yesterday, the latest figures for "knife crime" in the UK were released and showed a 7% increase year on year despite £millions being spent on anti-knife publicity. The Government spokesman said they were pleased that they had managed to "stabilise" knife crime.</p> <p>Can I remind them that an anagram of stabilise is " stab is lie"" </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wisty8golf.blog.co.uk/2009/07/22/knife-crime-stabalised-6565764/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:wisty8golf.blog.co.uk,2009-07-22:/2009/07/22/who-elected-mandy-6565691/wisty8golf2009-07-22T12:02:59+02:002009-07-22T13:06:16+02:00 <p>The main reason that the Government always gives for invading foreign countries thousands of miles away is that we need to bring democracy to that far off land.<br> I always believed that like charity, democracy started at home.<br> The Oxford Dictionary defines democracy as "Government by the People or their elected representatives"<br> We currently have 9 members of the Cabinet who were not elected by anyone (except ,that is, by Galloping Gordon)<br> Lord Mandelson "resigned" twice when shady deals came to light ,was given a peerage and is now second most powerful person in the Government. He and his fellow 9 peers who sit on the Cabinet have got there without facing the rigours of the ballot box .<br> Wheres the Democracy in that Gordon ? What a hypocrite !<br> Put your own house in order before you tell other countries how to run theirs and killing 100's of us and 1,000's of them in achieving something that we don't even have at home. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wisty8golf.blog.co.uk/2009/07/22/who-elected-mandy-6565691/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:wisty8golf.blog.co.uk,2009-07-12:/2009/07/12/pull-out-of-afganistan-6496582/wisty8golf2009-07-12T12:54:10+02:002009-07-22T13:10:05+02:00 <p>The death toll of our young soldiers killed in Afghanistan has now risen to 184 and still the Government and their spin doctors continue to tell us that we are winning a worthwhile struggle. Let's examine the half truths and downright lies we are being told.</p> <p>1) We are told that our troops are winning "hearts and minds".<br> Truth: You will never win H&M's with soldiers in combat gear patroling the streets carrying weapons.</p> <p>2)We are not alone. Soldiers of over 40 nations are in Afghanistan.<br> Truth: That is rubbish ! They are playing the numbers game.<br> Apart from the USA most countries have very small numbers here<br> and all are kept well away from the deadly Helman province.</p> <p>3) Thanks to our intervention some 5 million Afghan children<br> now go to primary school.<br> Truth : It is not the role of British troops to fight and die in order than a nations children many thousands of miles away can be educated.Many British children have and will lose their fathers in this quest </p> <p>4) By defeating the Taliban we are making the streets of the<br> UK a safer place.<br> Truth: Al Qaeda are the problem and the vast majority of them<br> are in Pakistan. Should we invade there next ?</p> <p>No doubt it would take great courage to announce a withdrawal. But in the name of God, do it and do it soon. The Duke of Wellington once said that the test of a "real" military leader was to know when to retreat and have the courage to do it. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wisty8golf.blog.co.uk/2009/07/12/pull-out-of-afganistan-6496582/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:wisty8golf.blog.co.uk,2009-04-28:/2009/04/28/golden-gordon-heads-he-will-tails-he-won-t-6023123/wisty8golf2009-04-28T14:56:00+02:002009-04-28T15:01:40+02:00 <p>The problem with Gordon Brown is that he can't decide whether to be decisive or not. Last week he had a solution re MP's expensive.. they would get extra pay for turning up to do the job they already get paid for........Ooops...his fellow Labour MPs and the Opposition didn't like that so he has changed his mind..yet again.<br> Isn't it nice to have a PM who can make firm, good and instant decisions ? </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wisty8golf.blog.co.uk/2009/04/28/golden-gordon-heads-he-will-tails-he-won-t-6023123/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:wisty8golf.blog.co.uk,2009-04-23:/2009/04/23/cyclists-left-on-red-5994220/wisty8golf2009-04-23T13:22:58+02:002009-04-23T13:22:58+02:00 <p>Where do the lawmakers come from ?. Their latest madness is to consider allowing cyclists to turn left when the traffic lights are on red.<br> Where have they been for the last decade. The cyclists in London are easily the biggest abusers of the Highway code by a million miles.<br> They not only turn left on red, they turn right on red, and go straight ahead on red,(that is if the pavement isn't blocked and they can cut across the corner, thus avoiding the lights altogether.<br> And all of this without one penny of Road tax or any insurance.<br> Planners....lie down in a darkened room for a couple of days and then come into the 21st century. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wisty8golf.blog.co.uk/2009/04/23/cyclists-left-on-red-5994220/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:wisty8golf.blog.co.uk,2009-04-22:/2009/04/22/take-today-but-give-in-a-years-time-5987979/wisty8golf2009-04-22T15:20:26+02:002009-04-22T15:20:26+02:00 <p>Why is it that whenever a new piece of legislation is passed in a Budget it has two vastly different leadtimes. Whenever the Government is giving us something it is always w.e.f April 2010 but when they are taking from us it is always w.e.f 6.00pm this evening. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wisty8golf.blog.co.uk/2009/04/22/take-today-but-give-in-a-years-time-5987979/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:wisty8golf.blog.co.uk,2009-04-22:/2009/04/22/gordon-brown-sorts-mp-s-expenses-5987874/wisty8golf2009-04-22T14:56:09+02:002009-04-22T15:10:16+02:00 <p> Gordon Brown has finally got round to sorting out the "snoutgate" mess and fiddles re MP's expenses. The main bone of contention was the MP's second home (or in some cases Sister's bedsit)allowance. This amounted to some £24,000 per MP. Gordon has announced his intention to scrap this and replace it with an "Attendance Allowance". What will this be worth ?<br> Yes , you have guessed it. £24,000 per annum. But you can rest assured that this will be legal and all above board. MP's will get to vote on the new expenses "fiddles"......Isn't that a bit like asking Turkeys if they want to vote on the banning of Christmas? </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wisty8golf.blog.co.uk/2009/04/22/gordon-brown-sorts-mp-s-expenses-5987874/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:wisty8golf.blog.co.uk,2009-04-18:/2009/04/18/princess-eugenie-gap-year-5965449/wisty8golf2009-04-18T13:21:32+02:002009-04-18T13:21:32+02:00 <p>Many students in the past have taken gap years but not many of us were followed everywhere by police bodyguards in Phuket at a taxpayers cost of over £100,OOO . This is on top of the £250,000 each per year already spent on "protecting" the two princesses. Eugenie is sixth in line to the throne and the biggest threat she faces is that of alcohol poisoning.<br> Obviously their father "Air Miles" Andy, notorious for jetting around the at the taxpayers expense, sets the standard for the sisters.<br> Isn't it about time that the Queen reminded all her underlings what the current economic situation is really like ? </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wisty8golf.blog.co.uk/2009/04/18/princess-eugenie-gap-year-5965449/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:wisty8golf.blog.co.uk,2009-04-18:/2009/04/18/g2-protester-5965388/wisty8golf2009-04-18T13:04:23+02:002009-04-18T13:04:23+02:00 <p>Nicola Fisher, is the G2 protester who claims she was beaten up by the police. She was protesting at the mess that the leaders of the worlds major economies have got us all into.<br> What has Miss Fishers contribution been to the worlds economy...exactly ZILTCH..It has emergered that she has lived on benefits all her adult life. Currently in receipt of over £500 per month , her contribution to the worlds economy has been to hold her hand out at the benefits office every month for the last 17 years. At todays rate, thats a total of £102,000 the taxpayers have given her. Just how many others of the rent-a-protest crowd are we supporting. My suspicion is quite a lot. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wisty8golf.blog.co.uk/2009/04/18/g2-protester-5965388/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:wisty8golf.blog.co.uk,2009-04-16:/2009/04/16/gordon-brown-sorry-5955975/wisty8golf2009-04-16T19:21:50+02:002009-04-16T19:21:50+02:00 <p>Gordon Brown our PM has finally said he is sorry over the "Smeargate" emails. He went on to say that he took full responsibility for what has happened and has fired the person concerned.</p> <p>Hang on Gordon....you have got it wrong there. When you accept full responsibility for what has happened , you fall on your own sword, not plunge it into someone elses back. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wisty8golf.blog.co.uk/2009/04/16/gordon-brown-sorry-5955975/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:wisty8golf.blog.co.uk,2009-04-14:/2009/04/14/sits-vac-soon-5942440/wisty8golf2009-04-14T12:07:30+02:002009-04-14T12:07:30+02:00 <p>The following advertisement is shortly to appear in newspaper across the country in the situations vacant columns :-</p> <p>WANTED : UNABLED BODIED MEN or WOMEN<br> SALARY : In excess of £63,000 per annum.<br> HOURS : Totally at applicants discretion<br> HOLIDAYS : At least 12 weeks per year<br> EXPENSES : Unfortunately limited to £250,000 per annum<br> STAFF SUPPORT : Family preferably<br> PENSION : Second only to Fred the Shred<br> TRAVEL : Frequent jaunts abroad available<br> SECOND JOB : Preferable<br> EXPERIENCE : None<br> ACCOMMODATION : Free mortgage but profit can be retained<br> NUMBER OF JOBS : Could be as many as 630 very soon.<br> QUALIFICATIONS : Good fiction writer, inventive mind. </p> <p>GUESS THE JOB ?</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wisty8golf.blog.co.uk/2009/04/14/sits-vac-soon-5942440/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:wisty8golf.blog.co.uk,2009-04-06:/2009/04/06/shred-fred-the-shred-5899568/wisty8golf2009-04-06T15:04:05+02:002009-04-06T15:04:05+02:00 <p>It comes as little suprise that Sir Fred Goodwin has refused to refund any of his pension. What does surprise me is that nobody has suggested that we shred the Sir in front of his name and he goes back to being common or garden Fred Goodwin.<br> He acquired his title for services to Banking......what a joke?<br> Maybe we should spell SIR......CUR</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wisty8golf.blog.co.uk/2009/04/06/shred-fred-the-shred-5899568/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:wisty8golf.blog.co.uk,2009-04-06:/2009/04/06/grace-and-favour-homes-what-a-con-5899020/wisty8golf2009-04-06T12:59:18+02:002009-04-06T12:59:18+02:00 <p>Alistair Darling.....is given a grace and favour home at No11 Downing Street yet still thinks it is pefectly OK to claim for a second home to ensure that he is close to the House of Corruption.( Oh, he just happens to rent out this second home that we are paying for)<br> This is the most obvious case of fiddling that has emerged since the whole sorry mess was revealed.<br> Whilst on the subject,has Jacqui Smith's sister paid tax on the income that she is charging for the rent of a small bedroom. They can't have it both ways.......either Jacqui Smith is paying £20,000 a year in rent or she is fiddling her expenses by charging the taxpayer £20,000 and paying her sister £4620 ( the maximum you can charge to let a room before you pay tax.)<br> Will someone tell me which it ???????????????????????? </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wisty8golf.blog.co.uk/2009/04/06/grace-and-favour-homes-what-a-con-5899020/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:wisty8golf.blog.co.uk,2009-04-06:/2009/04/06/mp-s-enquiry-days-or-months-l-5898955/wisty8golf2009-04-06T12:45:54+02:002009-04-06T12:45:54+02:00 <p>The House of Commons ( or should it be House of Corruption ?) must thing the general public are all fools. They want an enquiry into the leak regarding their expenses to start immediately but expect us to believe that the real enquiry into their fiddles will not be able to start until the end of the year.<br> This corrupt lot are like small children, caught with an empty cookie in their hands, chocolate around their lips, pointing at the dog asleep in the corner. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wisty8golf.blog.co.uk/2009/04/06/mp-s-enquiry-days-or-months-l-5898955/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:wisty8golf.blog.co.uk,2009-03-09:/2009/03/09/tina-turner-wow-5723568/wisty8golf2009-03-09T15:43:48+01:002009-03-09T15:43:48+01:00 <p>Went to the O2 last night with some friends to see Tina Turner and she was wonderful. The energy that that woman can generate at aged 69,70 or 71 (depending on which bio you read)is amazing.<br> However, I cannot say the same about the O2....whilst the building is spectacular, so are the prices.In addition to paying over £100 each for our tickets we were charged £4.50 for a pint of bitter, £2 for a small bottle of water and an interval nearly 30 minutes in length to enable you to spend lots of your hard earned cash and oops, I nearly forgot, programmes were £15 each.<br> When will these sharks realise we are supposed to be in a recession ? </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wisty8golf.blog.co.uk/2009/03/09/tina-turner-wow-5723568/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:wisty8golf.blog.co.uk,2009-03-02:/2009/03/02/why-not-shred-fred-5676430/wisty8golf2009-03-02T09:56:07+01:002009-03-02T09:56:07+01:00 <p>They say that empty vessels make the most noise.This Government are huffing and puffing re Fred the Shred's obscene pension but most observers admit that there is little they can do about it.<br> However, there is one thing we can shred...his knighthood.<br> Arise Mr Fred. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wisty8golf.blog.co.uk/2009/03/02/why-not-shred-fred-5676430/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:wisty8golf.blog.co.uk,2009-03-02:/2009/03/02/tony-blair-take-a-look-at-iraq-5676416/wisty8golf2009-03-02T09:51:51+01:002009-03-02T09:51:51+01:00 <p>This last weekend, Tony Blair stated he was horrified of the devastation in Gaza........Have you had a look at Iraq recently ?.....and who was to blame for that ? </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wisty8golf.blog.co.uk/2009/03/02/tony-blair-take-a-look-at-iraq-5676416/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:wisty8golf.blog.co.uk,2009-02-27:/2009/02/27/for-fred-the-shred-read-gordon-brown-5659899/wisty8golf2009-02-27T12:02:34+01:002009-02-27T12:02:34+01:00 <p>The Prime Minister is insisting that any person responsible for the bankrupting of an organisation and needing a bailout by the taxpayer should immediately forfeit their massive pension.........How nice of you to volunteer Gordon.<br> The debt that Fred the Shred has saddled this country with is small change compared with the trillions that Gordon Brown as Chancellor and now PM has squandered. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wisty8golf.blog.co.uk/2009/02/27/for-fred-the-shred-read-gordon-brown-5659899/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:wisty8golf.blog.co.uk,2009-02-18:/2009/02/18/tessa-jowell-s-husband-guilty-5601015/wisty8golf2009-02-18T14:47:40+01:002009-02-18T14:47:40+01:00 <p>Tessa Jowells estranged husband, David Mills, has been found guilty of accepting a £400,000 bribe and sentenced to four and a half years jail.<br> The prosecutors said Mills used the money to secure a joint mortgage on their North London property. Tessa was cleared of any wrongdoing but a House of Commons Committee.<br> Where did she think the money came from ?<br> Surely the marital split was very convenient to distance her from the bribe.<br> Whats the betting that they get back together when this is all over.</p> <p>What with Jacqui Smith fiddles and Tessa's forgetfulness, what a lovely Cabinet we have got. I wouldn't trust them with my empty wallet, let alone my country. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wisty8golf.blog.co.uk/2009/02/18/tessa-jowell-s-husband-guilty-5601015/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:wisty8golf.blog.co.uk,2009-02-18:/2009/02/18/13-year-old-dad-parents-in-court-5600895/wisty8golf2009-02-18T14:28:12+01:002009-02-18T14:28:12+01:00 <p>According to the press reports,the parents of Alfie Patten and Chantelle Steadman were well aware that their children were sleepng together. Surely it must be against the law to condone and permit underage sex ? However, I have seen no mention of any charges being brought.<br> Why do we put up with these parasites whose main aim in life is to breed and see how much they can squeeze out of social security benefits ?. I am sick to my back teeth with supporting these lowlifes via my taxes.<br> Child allowance should stop after one child and anyone on incapicity benefits should have a full medical every three months to determine if they are fit to work.<br> Sort out the whole benefits system or I for one will consider non-payment of my taxes. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wisty8golf.blog.co.uk/2009/02/18/13-year-old-dad-parents-in-court-5600895/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:wisty8golf.blog.co.uk,2009-02-11:/2009/02/11/jacqui-smith-our-two-homes-secretary-5552934/wisty8golf2009-02-11T15:28:21+01:002009-02-11T15:28:21+01:00 <p>Re the debate regarding Jacqui Smith's main home bedsit in London thus making it possible to claim expenses for the mortgage on her Redditch house where her husband and children live.</p> <p>On her own website it states "Jacqui grew up in Malvern, Worcestershire before moving to Redditch in 1986. She still lives there with her husband, Richard and sons James(13) and Michael (8)</p> <p>No mention of her main residence, the bedsit in London.</p> <p>My thanks to a fellow Blogger for bringing this to my attention </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wisty8golf.blog.co.uk/2009/02/11/jacqui-smith-our-two-homes-secretary-5552934/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:wisty8golf.blog.co.uk,2009-02-11:/2009/02/11/interest-rates-and-politicians-reach-a-new-low-5552810/wisty8golf2009-02-11T15:10:44+01:002009-02-11T15:10:44+01:00 <p>I still can't get my head round the the fact that the world is in recession because the Banks lent money to people to buy houses that they couldn't afford. The solution is to reduce interest rates down to a level where the 7 savers needed to produce 1 mortgage are almost getting 0% interest. It seems to me that the only people smiling in this recession are the people living in houses that they couldn't afford or the Bankers pocketing the bonus they "earned" for making these bad loans. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wisty8golf.blog.co.uk/2009/02/11/interest-rates-and-politicians-reach-a-new-low-5552810/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:wisty8golf.blog.co.uk,2009-02-11:/2009/02/11/home-secretary-or-2-homes-secretary-5552720/wisty8golf2009-02-11T14:57:09+01:002009-02-11T14:57:09+01:00 <p>How scandalous that the Home Secretary can tell the British taxpayer that the bedsit in her sisters house in suburbia is her main residence whilst the house where her husband and children live is a secondary residence. She straight-faced told reporters that she had checked with the House of Commons watchdog who had confirmed that this was totally within the rules as far as second homes expenses were concerned.<br> Surely the rules are wrong that allow this to happen. How can we expect these fiddling poloticians to get us out of the mire we are in. They have their snouts so deep in the trough, feathering their own nests(or even their second ones)that they could not give a stuff for the rest of us. How long is it before the taxpayer says enough is enough ?</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wisty8golf.blog.co.uk/2009/02/11/home-secretary-or-2-homes-secretary-5552720/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:wisty8golf.blog.co.uk,2009-01-02:/2009/01/02/knighthoods-how-to-get-one-5312150/wisty8golf2009-01-02T15:09:16+01:002009-01-02T15:18:26+01:00 <p>I am sure many people would love to be Knighted. To continually adressed as Sir is some peoples idea of heaven.</p> <p>Here is the simple way to obtain one.</p> <p>Dont do a proper days work in your whole life. Find something that will be what you always wanted to do. Get massively rewarded for doing it.Move to a tax haven to avoid tax.Every now and again donate a fraction of your valuable time to a charity and low and behold, a knighthood will surely come your way. </p> <p>How many recent Sirs should be spell Curs and a few should have been made Dames rather than Sirs because of their sexual preferences. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wisty8golf.blog.co.uk/2009/01/02/knighthoods-how-to-get-one-5312150/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:wisty8golf.blog.co.uk,2009-01-02:/2009/01/02/dartford-crossing-fraud-5312146/wisty8golf2009-01-02T15:07:56+01:002009-01-02T15:07:56+01:00 <p>The Queen Elizabeth 11 Bridge opened alongside the Dartford Tunnel in 1991. The Government pledge at the time was that the crossing fee was £1 until the total costs of the bridge had been met. Thereafter it would be free. The Dartford crossing takes 150,000 vehicles per day so since the opening of the bridge/tunnel the total income has been approximately £54.7 million per year or almost £1 billion in total.<br> Surely the costs of the bridge have been met by now.<br> So is it now free......Is it hell ? The charge has just increased to £1.50 per crossing which will incease the annual income to £82m per annum.<br> Recession.....what recession... So much for Government promises </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wisty8golf.blog.co.uk/2009/01/02/dartford-crossing-fraud-5312146/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:wisty8golf.blog.co.uk,2008-12-22:/2008/12/22/recession-would-someone-tell-the-railways-5259303/wisty8golf2008-12-22T13:32:16+01:002008-12-22T13:57:58+01:00 <p>I arrived at my local railway station to be greeted with a leaflet that heralded train season and carpark increases in the New Year of between<br> 7% and 10% for the New Year. Has anyone told these companies that we are in the midst of a recession and hundreds of thousands of people are losing their jobs. Every day the newspapers get more depressing, politicans with their snouts deeper in the troughs, Lords fiddling their expenses and the fact that the State now employs 43% of the working population, all on gilt-edged pensions.<br> I have contemplated suicide but can't afford the fare to Switzerland for an assisted job, rope has increased in price and Boots won't give me a pill without prescription, which I have to pay for.</p> <p>Soon there will be more people taking out of the system than paying in.<br> Never mind. Flash Gordon will just print more money for the scroungers, layabouts,single parents and unemployable. </p> <p>If you have worked hard all your life and saved a little you can soon expect 0% interest on your savings. Still rates had to come down to help<br> all those poor souls who overstretched themselves with mortgages and buy-to-lets. It takes 8 savers to finance 1 mortgage...so why must we miss out. If interest falls any lower my savings go under my bed. Would-be burgulars should note my address...42 The Workhouse, London.<br> Happy Christmas to all my Readers. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wisty8golf.blog.co.uk/2008/12/22/recession-would-someone-tell-the-railways-5259303/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:wisty8golf.blog.co.uk,2008-12-22:/2008/12/22/credit-card-fraud-who-is-interested-5259285/wisty8golf2008-12-22T13:28:24+01:002008-12-22T13:28:24+01:00 <p>I recently returned from New York following a family "City Break" to find in the post a receipt and delivery advice note from Currys, thanking me for the purchase, online, of a £643 laptop computer.<br> The left hand side of the note had my address and the right hand side a delivery address (somewhere in Rainham,Essex). Of course I had not ordered a laptop and have never ventured anywhere near Rainham. Hasty contact with American Express discovered a vast number of fraudulent transactions on my account including other laptops and mobile phones.<br> Amex's action was to immediately cancel my card and promise a new one in 5 to 7 working days. Given Xmas is in 2 days time, this is likely to be mid-Jan. Despite the fact that I had the fraudsters delivery address, Amex were not interested in it. It became apparent that fraud to Amex was a way of life and built into credit card charges. Had not Currys sent me an advice note the fraud could have continued until mid-Jan and run into 10's of '000's as opposed to £3500. I am also surprised that major retailers are prepared to deliver to address's other than that of the cardholders.Surely this is asking for fraud.<br> I suppose I shouldn't be too suprised, because , as always the consumer pays. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wisty8golf.blog.co.uk/2008/12/22/credit-card-fraud-who-is-interested-5259285/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:wisty8golf.blog.co.uk,2008-11-27:/2008/11/27/new-vat-penalises-small-businesses-5120074/wisty8golf2008-11-27T17:00:06+01:002008-11-27T17:00:06+01:00 <p>The reduction in VAT from 17.5% to 15.0% actually will cost some small companies money. Many small companies pay VAT at a flat rate of 9.5% on the gross (£117.50). This flat rate has been reduced to 8.5% on the new gross (£115.00). The resultant sum is that it will cost a small business 1.1% of total VATable turnover.</p> <p>So much for giving some back to small companies.........another stealth tax ? </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wisty8golf.blog.co.uk/2008/11/27/new-vat-penalises-small-businesses-5120074/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:wisty8golf.blog.co.uk,2008-11-24:/2008/11/24/vat-vote-attracting-tactics-5097891/wisty8golf2008-11-24T14:33:52+01:002008-11-24T14:33:52+01:00 <p>The Government, in one of the worst kept secrets for years, are likely to reduce VAT from 17.5% to 15%.when they make an announcement this afternoon.</p> <p>BIG DEAL.....many things will now be 2.5% cheaper. Have they not looked in shop windows recently ?. Most retailers are offering discounts up to 50% and still nobody is buying.</p> <p>That VAT saving is about the same as most politicians brains.....small and useless.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wisty8golf.blog.co.uk/2008/11/24/vat-vote-attracting-tactics-5097891/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>