If tax calculators are to believed, staying in the UK means getting robbed

[cdog]

As a USA resident, its not the amount of taxes which is so appalling (and it is) as how it is spent. Mostly on the military, where it is squandered through inefficiency (see Iraq/Afganistan) and corruption which reaches all the way up to congress (a part of the B2 stealth bomber is made in all 50 states in the USA).

The amount is rapidly 1 trillion USD per year. If Congress took half of this, and spent it instead on improving infrastructure, education, transportation, networks, robotics, nanotechnology, green energy, medical research, and other 21st century technologies, our country would look radically different a be in a much better place in 50 years. We might even be able to dig ourselves out of the financial hole we are in and bring the entire world economy with us (with Bitcoin leading the way - of course). As it stands currently, Im frightened how our country will look in 25 years, let alone 50-100.

[hilariousandco]

Roll on independence in Scotland.. Fed up of Westminster taxing us.. Bedroom tax is the latest one!!

Saw Cameron on TV with his serious face on the other day urging Scots to vote no on it for the 'sake of Great Britain'. I'm sure they're just going to miss your taxes and don't really care otherwise.

Are you guys kidding?  The SNP is dedicated to higher taxes and they are the Scottish government.  

Yes, but then the taxes go to the Scottish people, not Cameron and his Corporate buddies.

That's a nice thought but in reality, the Scots enjoy a generous subsidy as well as disproportionate political representation.  If the Scots leave, England will be financially far better off.

Are you sure? Why are they so bothered about you leaving then? It will effect their interests negatively in some other capacity.

National pride is more important than money.  Ireland got indepedence in 1921 and it was a financial disaster.  There was never a point where anyoen said "Lets go back to being British."  Same with most ex-colonies.

Money is not a big deal if you don't feel free.  As it happens, the Scots seem set to reject independence as they are big fans of the Queen and all that guff.  Sad for me as I live in England and our taxes would fall if Scotland left.  There can never be a Labour government in England again without Scottish votes.

I wish we'd just abolish the monarchy and 'all that guff'. It's pathetic. Why can't we sell off/privatise the Royal Family and let somebody else pay for them instead of all our other nationally owned assets?

[Hawker]

Very true.

[Slartybardfast]

Queenie poo should turn Buckingham palace into a massive B&B she would make a mint with all the Americans flocking to stay there and she would not need handouts from the British public. LOL

[Behemot]

All things considered UK is actually not that bad in comparison with other nations.

ROFLMAO. You get persecuted for having screwdriver in your pocket while criminals use pistols. There is higher rate of some criminal offenses in London than in Cape Town. And yet they keep robbing you saying how much they take care of you and how they are ensuring your safety. Sure, not bad 

Right, I guess I can find the same job in Cape Town and get paid the same NET amount right?
So easy to throw shit and use stupid cases to justify your opinion.

If you are of some use, I guess yes.

[Hawker]

Queenie poo should turn Buckingham palace into a massive B&B she would make a mint with all the Americans flocking to stay there and she would not need handouts from the British public. LOL

Its not so simple.  The Queen and her relatives are legal owners of huge tracts of UK land.  If the Royals were cut loose and allowed to charge rent, it would be very expensive.  For example, all seashores are owned by the Crown.