Save the NHS - Hold Jeremy Hunt to Account

[old bill]

Much of what is wrong with the NHS can be placed at the door of the politicians, who have interfered in the way it is run, and private companies who have ripped-off the NHS and other government departments, aided and abetted by right-wing politicians who, more often than not, are "consultants" or directors of these companies. What we badly need are laws to force MPs to relinquish their links with any corporate or other organisation that could compromise their position, charitable organisations excepted.

[eye1128]

Another thing I would like to add is about the tax avoiders someone mentioned. The IRS (Internal Revenue Service) is the federal agency that receives everyone's federal tax, and needs to go away in my opinion. Americans pay Federal tax to the IRS and State tax to the state in which they live. They also pay sales tax to the city where they live. Then there is property tax. school tax, tax, tax, tax! If you look at a phone bill, there are so many misc. taxes, people just pay without any idea what they are for. I think the IRS needs to go away. There should be a flat tax. I think all should pay. If you buy a big screen tv, you should pay an extra tax no matter what income tax bracket you fall in. That way everyone pays. Like I said before, over half of Americans pay no tax at all. They supposedly don't make enough to pay. Many of those very people have nice cars and huge tvs, etc. Many also get free medical and financial help for many other things. If you look closely at your power bill, there is a fee that goes to those considered low income. No one asks if that person with the bill wanted to contribute. It is just taken. It is no wonder people are upset. I often think you are better off poor. Put an extra tax on purchases and everyone will pay. Back in the Clinton years, they tried to put what they called a "luxury tax" on everyone. Supposedly if you bought a high end item that was considered not necessary they would hit you with an extra huge tax. People with money just considered it a penalty for doing well. I don't begrudge anyone for doing well if they came by it honestly. It is the American dream. Luxury boats and yachts was one business hit hard. All those that could afford such nice things, could also go elsewhere to buy them. The industry collapsed. Many hard working people lost their jobs. Those that have that kind of money will always find a way around it. One of our senators that ran for president (I have personal knowledge of what a horrible human being his is) lived and was a senator in Massachusettes. His name was John Kerry. It was found out that to avoid paying taxes to his own state, he bought and registered his luxury yacht in Rhode Island where the taxes were cheaper. Taxachusettes is a nickname for Massachusetts. Those who can, will find ways to skirt the system. All the regular folks just continue watching their paychecks vanish in front of their very eyes. There have been people that have won the lottery and ended up on the news. Apparently they couldn't find a law to discontinue the lotto winners welfare checks and food stamps. She claimed she had several houses to manage. She was on the evening news and didn't even seem ashamed.

[old bill]

Our Revenue and Customs deals with tax matters, including Value Added tax, which is charged on most things. There is a team within Revenue and Customs nicknamed The Ghost Squad. They investigate individuals and corporate organisations who avoid and evade tax. Those under investigation are not aware they are under investigation until The Ghost Squad turn up to ask them questions about their tax affairs. And there is no point in trying to lie to them because they have already gathered the evidence to nail you. There is no kidding them and no escape.

[MARTIN3030]

Eye1128,American healthcare,Tax,and Presidents aside for the moment,could you please try and format your posts so they are readable for our members ?

[Amber Leaf]

If I may I wish to add a dissenting voice to this. I will not be signing this petition as it seems overtly political and of little substance. An open letter containing four rhetorical sentences such as 'We are watching you' and 'We’ll challenge you every step of the way if you try to do our NHS any further harm' is unhelpful and does nothing to describe whatever problems the NHS has, and offers no solutions.

 

For the record I work for the NHS in a soon to be abolished Primary Care Trust. I've seen a lot of change over the years, not least the huge growth and investment in the last decade. Growth and investment is good right? Not really, because the vast increase in spending we saw since 1997 has been squandered. Billions have been wasted on a vast army of middle managers, enhanced GP contracts, failed IT projects and other questionable spending. Very little of that money made its way to where it mattered, the patients. It was a standing joke that the money would have been better served if it had been shoved in the hospital boilers, in that at least it would have had a use in keeping the patients warm.

 

I love the NHS like anyone else but it's in desperate need of reform because we are in no way getting value for money from it. The debate is whether this government's reforms are the right ones, so in that respect Mr Hunt, we are indeed watching you very closely.

[MARTIN3030]

I'm afraid that you're too late most mental health depts were hit by a 25% cut in 2011 fo facilitate service improvements

 

So how has every other dept faired?

 

At least when times called on the NHS he's experienced

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19011788

 

As Donna Summer sang;

 

You can ring my bell, ring my bell

(ring my bell, ding dong ding)

You can ring my bell, ring my bell

(ring my bell, dingolingolin)

You can ring my bell, ring my bell

(ring my bell, ding dong ding)

You can ring my bell, ring my bell

(ring my bell, dingolingolin)

 

you can ring my bell, you can ring my bell

(ding, dong, ding, do-ong)

you can ring my bell, anytime, anyway

(ring it, ring it, ring it, ring it oww!)

you can ring my bell, anytime, anyway

(ding, dong, ding, do-ong)

you can ring my bell, anytime, anyway

(ring it, ring it, ring it, ring it oww!)

 

You can ring my bell, ring my bell

(ring my bell, ding dong ding)

You can ring my bell, ring my bell

(ring my bell, dingolingolin)

You can ring my bell, ring my bell

(ring my bell, ding dong ding)

You can ring my bell, ring my bell

(ring my bell, dingolingolin)

 

It wasnt Donna Summer-it was actually Anita Ward I remember buying the single.

[old bill]

It wasnt Donna Summer-it was actually Anita Ward I remember buying the single.

 

Ssshh! You're showing your age! Lol!

[MARTIN3030]

Lol I can go a bit further back.I think Anita Ward was about 1979.

First single I bought was T Rex ride a white swan which I think was 1970 .....it cost 25p.

Funnily enough petrol was about the same price for a gallon !

[honeybee13]

Some of us could go further back than that...

[MARTIN3030]

Yes was a shame to read about Andy Williams.............

[silv.surfer]

Have signed the letter - thanks for the link was 12,xxxxx when I signed - made a comment that GPs should get rid of illegal 0844 numbers and change to 0344 NOW.

 

47 of the Virgin Group Surgerys are 0844 numbers and all are in Breach of their GMS Contract and Practicing illegally they should know better.

 

There are GPs starting 0844 numbers even 23rd Aug this year. Mainly being Mis-sold by 'Fly' companies to GPs that havent a clue about the Telephony Industry - nowhere to turn for Independant Advice - the PCTs havent a clue either.