(Untitled)

[destiny2909]

UK people will know that next week there will be elections taking place to elect "Police Commissioners". From what I can gather, these will be extremely well-paid civilian roles, in which they get to tell the police big-wigs what to do and will "represent public views

Comments

[zoefruitcake]

We've decided to vote for the guy who leafletted us for two reasons:
1) he isn't affiliated to any political party, and
2) he's the only person who has made the effort to leaflet us

[bnb]

I'm equally stuck:
1) Don't want to vote for any political party
2) Don't want to vote for an ex policeman
3) Don't want to vote for a bishop

And that leaves nobody at all!

[luckey_me]

They wouldn't give that money to the schools, unless it's tied to unproven methods of school reform.

Merit pay, though... clearly that's going to make ME better as a teacher, because right now I just don't care, and money would make me work harder. It DEFINITELY wouldn't make me less likely to leave the profession and go to a job where I'm respected or anything.

[doom_cherries]

HEY. You're from a country with universal health care, tell me your point of view. Because half of my country is FLIPPING THEIR SHIT over Obama care and how totally horrendous universal heatlh care is going to be.

Thoughts?

[destiny2909]

See, we find the objection to universal heathcare utterly bizzare! We've had it for so long that it's just the way it is. If you are ill, you go to the doctors, he tells you what's wrong, you say "thanks very much doctor" and go to the pharmacy and by the drugs you need. Yes, you have to pay for perscriptions, which are about £7 each, but that's literally ALL we pay for healthcare-wise. However, we do fund the health service through taxes, but NO ONE MINDS because if we all share the burden of paying for the service, it's fair, but then also available equally to all, poor, rich, children, the elderly

[doom_cherries]

Thank you for your response

[destiny2909]

The cost to the individual varies depending on the amount you earn. It comes directly out of your monthly paycheck as taxes and national insurance. And so obviously, the only people who pay taxes are the people who are working. The workers fund the service for everyone who isn't. Children, the unemployed, the elderly.

I just checked a recent payslip, and the government take £115.11 from me per month. This pays for the NHS, but also ALL other government services, education, welfare, defense. And I'm totally happy to pay it.