One could go quite insane.

[firebrand_faux]

So the banks are all crying like babies and claiming that if people continue to kick up a stink about their ridiculous charges, banking will no longer be free and customers will have to pay for their bank accounts

Comments

[thespirit3]

Yup, the banks make millions. However, they are businesses - and as businesses they'll try and protect that income. Free banking isn't a right, it's a service, and hence banks are reasonable to charge. The were pushed by market pressures to initially drop monthly charges, and 'overdraft' fees/penalties were a compromise - they provided free banking providing you didn't take the piss by constantly living in the red

[thespirit3]

You're of course right. They don't need to do it. However, they are a business - and hence there to make (and protect) profit - in any way possible.

The charges are a shit - I agree. However, I always think if people can continually run their accounts at (for example) -£200, then there's no reason they can't run them at 0, or £200. It's the perceived point at which you have no money.

Dunno, maybe banks should be a public service ... serving us, rather than their own profits.

[firebrand_faux]

The problem for a lot of people is that on a very low income, accidents quite often occur. You may not ever mean to go into the red but it can happen (I for one have always been loathe to use an overdraft and do not have one agreed with my bank for this very reason). Once your bank starts charging and then charging again, it starts a snowball effect.

[thespirit3]

Oh and - of course people on council estates lack motivation to better themselves - Labour have given them everything for free. It's crazy.

There are people who need benefits, who are unable to work for whatever reason. However I firmly believe this is the minority - most are playing the system for every penny possible. Pop out kids, claim disability, or failing that claim mental health problems. Hell, everyone else is.

Meanwhile, those 10% who have real (physical/mental) health issues are unable to get proper support due to the 90% bleeding the system dry. Those who have worked and paid tax all their lives end up going privately to get essential surgery - or going without.

This country is fucked. People are very selfish - and sadly making the system tougher does nothing to deter the assclowns - it just makes obtaining help even more difficult for those who really need it.

[firebrand_faux]

But do you see the rather paradoxical element to this story? People will take what is handed to them and I am in full agreement that our government is far too quick to reward those who cannot keep their legs crossed. SO which is it? Keep them breeding in the slums or drag them on to better things? The people, whilst a majority seem to be complete idiots, I feel, are blameless. The fault lies with this country of ours who opens its arms to the breeders and the immigrants, throwing in, from time to time some contradictory piece of legislation, whilst taxing the living fuck out of everyone else at a pretty constant pace. They protect a few pifling liberties with one hand whilst stealthily taking away with the other.

One has to wonder, what possible motivation could they have for this obscene behaviour?

[thespirit3]

Oh yes - exactly. People are opportunist; if offered something for nothing most would take it. However, there is a sense of moral/social responsibility that people seem to lack - so *some* responsibility must rest on the shoulders of those playing the system.

I do agree though - it's essentially the government. They're the ones allowing it. They're the ones punishing the rest of us - and why? Who knows.

*rant*

I'm sure a few pancakes would cheer me up ... *looks hopeful* :D

[firebrand_faux]

Generally, I forget all about pancake day and if I actually remember, I shun it in view of its original meaning.

However, today I'm feeling in the mood to make vast quantities of pancakes, with a variety of fillings and toppings, which I have offered to anyone who wants to be here to stuff their little faces :)

[anonymous]

"Free banking isn't a right, it's a service, and hence banks are reasonable to charge"....

My friend, what exactly do you think they do with the money you put into your bank account? Do you not think that the banking systems established in the 1800's would have charged for their services from day one? Have you ever had a substantial amount of money in the bank and tried to withdraw on any given day? You'll find you can't. You have to give them notice. Why do you have to give them notice? Because they use your money in investments that makes them their money. So, for the TRILLIONS, not billions or millions, that they make on everyones money every year, do you still think that free banking isn't right and are reasonable to charge?

xxx

[thespirit3]

I see what you're saying - but they do give interest on savings. Plus, they are still a business. They don't have to accept your money. It might not appear to be fair - but then, how fair do people want it? They provide a service, and like any other service provider they charge for access to it.

We live in a capatilist society. That's just how it works. *shrug*

ANOTHER LEAK

[anonymous]

There was another USB pen drive found at last night's Manchester show. "In This Twilight" is no officially leaked along with a new Year Zero ARG Web site. See the Year Zero forum on ETS for links.

s.