h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Today I listened to a cd burnt from an old tape of 'garage rock'.

I participated in some of the singing. Enough said.

(Not _too_ bad if you have a kind ear. )

I'm thinking about age.

Right now I still think I've got my best years to come.

But.

My mother - only twenty years older than me (73) - is on the road to becoming totally demented.

My mother in law (84) is as bright as she has ever been - but has incessantly complained about her legs, her back and her husband for the 23 years I've known her.



Tonight I agreed to borrow a car and drive my son to a party because friends from far away were present.

I spent 2½ hours on the road and 60$ on petrol.

To cut a long story short: The owner of the car is a single mother - because her husband committed suicide by hanging himself. She is now in sole charge of an adult mentally handicapped and autistic child, an adult manio-depressive child on heavy medication and a teenage son of my youngest son's age - who steadies himself on non-oregano.

The woman, the mother, is studying for an education as a laboratory assistant. No need to spell out that money is sparse in that family. She provides for the whole family by student's allowances and loans - supported by the handicapped adult who of course has a pension - tax payed.

Can you tell. I'm all for taxes. The more, the better.

I don't need an extra bottle of red wine during the week.

My income and supplementary dole is quite enough to keep a roof over our heads and feed and clothe the family. And even pay for the internet connection

Materially I have everything a woman could need - and more, much more.

So what is this thing 'growth' they are talking about like holy s**t?

This is a right rant.





Well, not really .

Gad.............sounds terribly screwed up.

Makes me wonder...
There is this 2 way of thinking - it could have been worse, or I could have done better. Which one feels better?

Very dear Tartoronne,

How woderful of you to give your poor friend a break. |problems like hers are virtually unsurmountable without help from real understanding friends - even to your correct attitude on taxes. At least your society recosnises the sadness and inequalities and makes provision for it.
I send you much affection and
Keep your marvellous attitude. -so warm, generous and ing.
Christiane

Hi Lady C and Hati

I don't make sense, do I .

Well, what to expect at four o'clock in the night and with only five hours' of sleep the night before that?

Huge leaps from one subject to another without relevance - except to me, I think.

Christiane ..Also Ran1 and



Amazing. You see through me every time. That is really .

Well, you make a point but we always see what we want to see.

I won't go into discussing taxes. I would love to pay them but I can't afford it.

As about getting old - I wouldn't mind if humans came in with spare parts. I could have some bits and pieces replaced. Other than that I still find the age kinda liberating.

You're right, Hati. Age *is* liberating. Definitely. Just a pity you cannot catch up with pizza boys at a hobble .

I would like to combine my wisdom of age with the agility and zest of youth.

But it is kind of sad to see my mother, once the organiser of the family, being very confused about simple matters. Still, she tells a good story. Now about what went on in her childhood.

I should record all her stories about family and friends before it is too late, shouldn't I?

You absolutely should. I have been thinking about the same with my grandaunt who is 91 and the last one from her generation, the last one who still remembers.

I will

I totally agree with you; I love paying tax! I rather live in a system where welfare is based on everyones contribution, and have a right to get some help when/if I need it, than making welfare a matter of richness/poorness = charity. Is it something like that you mean?

A part from that all I have to say is that kids you have for "better and worse" They are a "curse and a blessing". "Happiness and sorrow". And all our gray hair...


Izzybelle

Izzybelle

Good to see you.

Yes I do mean that society = taxes should provide for every member of society/equal out children's different start in life.

All children should have the same opportunities whether they are born in an African fugitive camp, by poor parents in a Bangla Deshian village or by wealthy parents in the US. Or at least be granted the rights in the UN Declaration of Children's Rights.

I've just had an hour long discussion with my son - who allegedly supports socialistic economic thinking - about the concept of citizens wages. I'm for - he is against (17 years old).

His expectations are that people will not work, support and enrich each other if they get money to support themselves for just being alive.

My experience is quite different. Most people love to work - and to be usefull and needed.

Well it is easy for me to say that the 42% taxation of my total income is fine - and the state is wellcome to ask for more to spend on education and health. The 58 % left is more than adequate to provide for me and my family.

I have enough - and I don't need any more.

I can even send money to my parents in law, my mother, my adult children, save for my children and grandchildren and my pension - and still buy fruit, bread and meat. Still go to concerts, buy books and CD's. Still go on a holiday to foreign parts of the world. Still buy semi-extravagant presents for members of my family and people I like.

Still have at a restaurant with a good friend from Gothenburg.

So. What is the point of me having more money? I really don't get it.

Izzybelle

"I rather live in a system where welfare is based on everyones contribution, and have a right to get some help when/if I need it,"

I think you'll find that this was once called 'Marxism': 'To each according to their needs, from each according to their ability'. Given the gross inequalities one sees in the world even today, it has a lot more relevance than laissez-fare capitalism.

I'm pretty well-off. I live in a very large and comfortable house with my partner and child in a very nice area of Nottingham. We run 2 cars (admittedly Skodas, but you can't have everything) and the only thing I want for, materially, is a new digital radio for the bedroom. I'm a higher rate taxpayer, as is my partner. My only grumble about British taxes is that I'd like them to be a lot simpler and more transparent, so it was perfectly clear what we are paying for. I also don't agree on being taxed more than once. If I decide to save money then pass it onto my kid, I should NOT be penalised for it by having to fork out inheritance tax when I die.

And I've had quite a few nice meals in Gothenburg, thanks.

What can I say - I couldn't afford in Gothenburg but I had ice cream instead.
Here the government prefers leftish way of collecting taxes and righish when it's about spending the money.

New to the workforce, I was first dismayed at the amount lopped off my paycheck for Social Security and Medicare, but then I realized that it was paying to help older people live with dignity and healthcare, including my grandparents. It's all in how you look at things. Well, not all. But a fairly large amount.

...on the matter of tales of childhood - my uncle has been secretely taping my grandmother over the phone for years. Go fer it. Your grandkids will thank you, if they can figure out how to work the archaic recording device you use.

I am glad you´ve had some nice meals in my home town, Felonious. And yes, Hati the prices on coffe are ridiculous! Hopefully I will be in town next time you come and we´ll have some coffe on my balcony!

Marxism, I know... I live in Sweden...run by a Socialdemocratic government donkeys years... And of course there are a number of things with a tax system that can be organised in a better way, I am sure. Nothings perfect.


Izzybelle

Well, luckily enough we were in Gothenburg right after leaving Tartaronne's place where they have the best in DK. So we didn't suffer too much. I've got a travelogue somewhere, if you want to know about the trip.

Umm, sorry for hijacking the thread, Tartaronne.

You're wellcome, Hati - and everyone else. It is always interesting to see how a conversation developes.

Well, usually at some point pizza is delivered.