Simple Plans for the Country

Senna · 26-02-2009 05:48AM #1

The prisoners working thread got me thinking, there are bound to be ways this country and economy can make money simply. It needs to be implemented simply and ideally takes money from the sectors of the country that have it.

1. Personalised License Plates; Most countries have some form of these and really how hard would it be to set up. The Department of Transport set up a website and people can request there own plate (more like USA than UK), Prices can be set depending on uniqueness. A plate like JOHN would be expensive, a plate like CRC 1 could be cheaper.

2. Legalise marijuana; Tax it like cigarettes. People already smoke the stuff, why now just make money out of it. The government is screwed anyway, there not going to get another term of a long time, it wont be popular with (insert PC, church, school groups) but screw them, its going to be legalised some day, why not now instead of 10/50/100 years.

3. Make use of agricultural land. When was the last time you drove by a field with anything planted in it other than grass? Farmers are being paid not to plant crops, but what about planning for future needs. what about rapeseed oil crops, they can be grown here and used as fuel for cars. Petrol might be back down low(er) again but it wont be forever. Bound to create employment in rural areas where it is needed.

These ideas could be completely crap, but there must be more.

One Cold Hand · 26-02-2009 06:13AM

We should tax coleslaw. No body likes it but everyone gets it with their meal and ends up throwing it out. Awful waste.

And we should elect a government that doesn't fock up everything it does.

btw. I focking hate personalised number plates. They may get us some money, but they are retarded. It's bad enough have a$$holes with flashing lights and unnecessary wings on their cars driving around, but having ANTO RULZ stamped on it would be unbearable.

bringitdown · 26-02-2009 07:16AM

Addendum to the Personalised License Plates: Anyone who buys one gets thrown out of the country ... 2 burds, 1 stone.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i · 26-02-2009 10:04AM

Burn politicians.

Aldebaran · 26-02-2009 10:11AM

I propose an Idiot Tax.

It will be means-tested of course: if you voted for Fianna Fáíl in the last general election, you pay.

Morrisseeee · 26-02-2009 10:15AM

Tax the LOTTO winners, fcek da lot of them........ ! :eek:
/.....until I WIN of course

RATM · 26-02-2009 10:37AM

Maybe start taxing the super rich tax exiles who fly in for the day to see their nags winning and then feck off back to tax free havens in Monte Carlo whilst still holding an Irish passport.

The like of Magnier, McManus and Desmond enjoy being Irish and the benefits that go with it, why shouldn't they have to pay taxes like the rest of us ?

minxie · 26-02-2009 10:39AM

One Cold Hand wrote: »

We should tax coleslaw. No body likes it but everyone gets it with their meal and ends up throwing it out. Awful waste.

And we should elect a government that doesn't fock up everything it does.

btw. I focking hate personalised number plates. They may get us some money, but they are retarded. It's bad enough have a$$holes with flashing lights and unnecessary wings on their cars driving around, but having ANTO RULZ stamped on it would be unbearable.

i so appreciate that answer

nitrogen · 26-02-2009 10:50AM

RATM wrote: »

Maybe start taxing the super rich tax exiles who fly in for the day to see their nags winning and then feck off back to tax free havens in Monte Carlo whilst still holding an Irish passport.

The like of Magnier, McManus and Desmond enjoy being Irish and the benefits that go with it, why shouldn't they have to pay taxes like the rest of us ?

Or the biggest c%nt of them all, Bono.

Legalizing marijuana and prostitution would also would bring in money from tourism. While the type of tourist that it attracts isn't going to please everyone, it's still money coming into the country.

A lot of companies in London say their head office is in Dublin for tax reasons while it's a ghost office with a handful of employees. Sort out the loop hole and hopefully it might create much more jobs.

steo87 · 26-02-2009 11:27AM

Senna wrote: »

2. Legalise marijuana; Tax it like cigarettes. People already smoke the stuff, why now just make money out of it. The government is screwed anyway, there not going to get another term of a long time, it wont be popular with (insert PC, church, school groups) but screw them, its going to be legalised some day, why not now instead of 10/50/100 years

There is not a hope that this will happen. Fianna Fail rely on their Granny voters to get them through elections, and that sort of thing will upset that relationship.
And also, the risks of legalising marijuana far outweigh the benefits:

-Marijuana is a gateway drug (there is no denying this, it really is)
-It could lead to increased crime rates
-It causes severe psychological problems to its abusers
-It is a serious health risk; causes lung cancer

and the main argument against legalising marijuana is:

It will make the drug available to youths
- lets face it; if you legalise the drug then people will be given the impression that it is okay to use. Just look at how many people smoke/drink.

Although I agree it could bring in a lot of tax for the govt. and put the dealers who peddle it out of business, it is just not the way for us to go at the moment.

Caoimhín · 26-02-2009 11:29AM

I have a plan and it involves firing squads and lynch mobs.

Caoimhín · 26-02-2009 11:32AM

steo87 wrote: »

-Marijuana is a gateway drug (there is no denying this, it really is)
-It could lead to increased crime rates
-It causes severe psychological problems to its abusers

Is there any hard scientific research that indicated this?

Im not having a go, i would really like to see it, maybe you could provide a link?

Donald-Duck · 26-02-2009 11:32AM

One Cold Hand wrote: »

We should tax coleslaw. No body likes it but everyone gets it with their meal and ends up throwing it out. Awful waste.

Sounds good.

TurkeyBurger · 26-02-2009 11:34AM

Turn off the heating in all buildings which the taxpayer pays for, maybe not the primary schools, don't want to freeze the kids, but...

Government Departments
The Courts
Colleges
Revenue / Social Welfare Office

Everyone working there also has to buy new coat, gloves, earmuffs so money back into the economy.

ESB say lowering heat by 1C will save you €100 per year in a standard home. So go 20C lower in all colleges and Government buildings = €€€.

seamus · 26-02-2009 11:34AM

steo87 wrote: »

-Marijuana is a gateway drug (there is no denying this, it really is)

There is every denying this. It's no more a "gateway" stimulant than cigarettes or alcohol. Any assertions thus far have been flawed or distorted.

Those who smoke marijuana are more likely to try other drugs. They're not more likely to try it *because* they've smoked but simply because they are the kind of person who is likely to try other drugs.

"Gateway" implies that marijuana in itself and alone makes you more susceptible to other drugs. There is no proof of this. None whatsoever. It's a bit like saying that learning how to drive is a gateway to speeding therefore we should stop teaching people to drive.

-It could lead to increased crime rates

How so?

old boy · 26-02-2009 11:40AM

make this compulsary use in all private sector loos

nitrogen · 26-02-2009 11:40AM

steo87 wrote: »

Marijuana is a gateway drug (there is no denying this, it really is)

Bollix. The Dutch still function as a society. You can drink in France at 16 and they don't abuse the drug like the Irish. I say legalize them all. If someone is dumb enough to go injecting, let them.

Part of the buzz with drugs is the fact that they are illegal. To quote Trainspotting - "**** it, we would have injected Vitamin C if only they'd made it illegal. "

cooperla · 26-02-2009 11:43AM

Make the government use video conferencing and bye bye to travel expenses.

nitrogen · 26-02-2009 11:57AM

cooperla wrote: »

Make the government use video conferencing and bye bye to travel expenses.

So true. I'm currently working in Japan, with my boss who I've never met in New York. Just think of the amount of companies that ship off employees for a brief conference talking sh1te in Milan.

TPD · 26-02-2009 11:59AM

steo87 wrote: »

It will make the drug available to youths

Hate to say it, but marijuana being illegal makes it easier for kids to get than drink. A dealer doesnt care what age their customer is as long as they have money.

The government could even implement a marijuana card, no sales without the card being swiped etc. Would keep tabs on who uses it and how much, and sets an age limit, and opens up the possibility for fining people found with illicit marijuana.

I agree with your other points though, overindulgence can very easily mess you up. Undecided on the gateway drug one, thatd tend to be the abusers moreso than the users.

Slig · 26-02-2009 12:00PM

We could try something radical like not paying our politicians their huge pensions until they actually retire:eek:.

LoveDucati2 · 26-02-2009 12:34PM

TPD wrote: »

Hate to say it, but marijuana being illegal makes it easier for kids to get than drink. A dealer doesnt care what age their customer is as long as they have money.

The government could even implement a marijuana card, no sales without the card being swiped etc. Would keep tabs on who uses it and how much, and sets an age limit, and opens up the possibility for fining people found with illicit marijuana.

I agree with your other points though, overindulgence can very easily mess you up. Undecided on the gateway drug one, thatd tend to be the abusers moreso than the users.

Most 13 year olds kids can get any number of drugs from the school playground. Alcohol kills about 50,000% more people annually.

It is NOT a gateway drug, it is only illegal a since the 60's.

Legalising all drugs is the most logical action.

Gov's waste too much money trying to prevent it.

Its very simple
People who use drugs will use them, and people who do not will not.

stovelid · 26-02-2009 12:55PM

LoveDucati2 wrote: »

Most 13 year olds kids can get any number of drugs from the school playground.

Actually in the playground. like?

Does another school kid deal, or they outsource it?

Puddleduck · 26-02-2009 12:59PM

Personally I think we should make prisoners work, like the chain gangs in America, maybe have them building roads, or doing road maintenence. Have them work for their keep.

cooperla · 26-02-2009 01:08PM

Puddleduck wrote: »

Personally I think we should make prisoners work, like the chain gangs in America, maybe have them building roads, or doing road maintenence. Have them work for their keep.

To take it a bit further, it think people getting state benefits should have to work 10-20 hours per week - volunteering and the like. Probably won't save much money but would make a difference to the communities. My experience is that most people unemployed do not spend anywhere near 39 hours per week looking for new employment and it may even be better for an individuals' morale if they stay active in such a way while unemployed.

Slig · 26-02-2009 01:20PM

cooperla wrote: »

To take it a bit further, it think people getting state benefits should have to work 10-20 hours per week - volunteering and the like. Probably won't save much money but would make a difference to the communities. My experience is that most people unemployed do not spend anywhere near 39 hours per week looking for new employment and it may even be better for an individuals' morale if they stay active in such a way while unemployed.

I used to think the same thing, Hell I had very strong views on social welfare payments and who deserves them. That was until 2 weeks ago when I was pushed off my pedestal and face signing on next week. I am not lazy, I have done nothing wrong, I worked and studied hard to get the qualification and job I had and through no fault of my own I now cant get another one.

Would you feel the same knowing it could very well be you tomorrow?

nitrogen · 26-02-2009 01:22PM

Puddleduck wrote: »

Personally I think we should make prisoners work, like the chain gangs in America, maybe have them building roads, or doing road maintenence. Have them work for their keep.

Best point made yet. I'm clueless to know why this system isn't already implemented. Put the bastards out on forty-hour weeks rebuilding our railroads and making the main roads function like main roads. Seriously, why hasn't this been done?

Also, cut politician's salaries. I'm sick of the liars talking about cutting wages but their own.

Puddleduck · 26-02-2009 01:22PM

Slig wrote: »

I used to think the same thing, Hell I had very strong views on social welfare payments and who deserves them. That was until 2 weeks ago when I was pushed off my pedestal and face signing on next week. I am not lazy, I have done nothing wrong, I worked and studied hard to get the qualification and job I had and through no fault of my own I now cant get another one.

Would you feel the same knowing it could very well be you tomorrow?

Wait until you are on the dole. It does become soul crushing after a while and I think doing some kind of work keeps you focused.

26-02-2009 01:37PM

steo87 wrote: »

-Marijuana is a gateway drug (there is no denying this, it really is)
-It could lead to increased crime rates
-It causes severe psychological problems to its abusers
-It is a serious health risk; causes lung cancer

- lets face it; if you legalise the drug then people will be given the impression that it is okay to use. Just look at how many people smoke/drink.

All four apply much more strongly to alcohol. And marijuana does not cause lung cancer; tobacco does, and that's very legal. The reason it will give the impression that it's OK to use is because it IS OK to use. If we could get everyone who uses alcohol and tobacco to switch to marijuana we'd have far fewer problems.

banshee_bones · 26-02-2009 02:10PM

The rent to buy scheme.

Option of buying your house after renting if after X amount of years. And if you decline you have the option again in another few years. All the time your "rent" money is paying off the mrtgage, so when you do eventually decide to buy its a good bit cheaper. This scheme has only recently been piloted down in Wexford i think? Or somewhere down in the south east. Was on the news recently.

If this had come in years ago, feck id probably already have my own apartment by now!!

bohsboy · 26-02-2009 02:18PM

Cut off prisoners "gratuity" payment while serving sentences...they are presently "earning" two euro a day lying on their bunk beds.

We have 3,000 prisoners at present: 3,000 x 2e = 6 grand a day, 42 grand a week equals 2,184,000 euro a year to the most undeserving of society.

Also, cut the budgets for meals for prisoners, the food they get is unreal!

Simple Plans for the Country

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