I recall the first time this egregious idea was mooted as part of the Conservative’s unremittingly dreadful Big Society claptrap.
Middle earners will be told today they do not give enough money to good causes as the Government unveils plans to ask for charitable donations of between 10p and £10 every time people use a cash machine.
Okay, I thought I’d given up swearblogging, but frankly, “fuck off” is the only appropriate response to this scheme and the cretins responsible for bringing it about. It is not up to ministers to decide that we do not give enough money to charity. How dare they presume to tell us anything, let alone involve themselves in what is a personal and private decision. I already give more than enough – it is extorted from me with the threat of violence by the state and then dished out to charitable organisations that I would support with the same degree of enthusiasm I would have for a bout of Ebola.
No, I will not – absolutely not – be coerced into giving more money via the cash machine. When I use these things, I do so because I want access to my cash, not to pass what little remains in the account onto third sector parasites, fake charities and hangers-on. I’ve earned it and after the state has shaken me down for the best part of half of the pittance I am currently earning, I’ll be damned if I will submit to yet more pleading, emotional blackmail and damned impertinence from politicians. Fuck them and the scabby nag they rode into town on.
Other plans include encouraging shops and restaurants to adopt ‘round the pound’ schemes, in which customers are encouraged to agree to round up their bills and donate the pennies of their change to charity.
No you may not round up the pound. If my item costs £9.99 then I expect the 1p change I am owed. When government takes a similarly liberal approach to its financial dealings with us – instead of using threats, bullying and downright intimidation to coerce money from us that we do not actually owe, because we have not earned enough in that tax year but they want their my money “on account” or they’ll send in the bailiffs now and maybe reimburse the over payment at the end of the year, then I might – just might – take a more lenient view. Will HMRC be rounding down? I don’t think so.
The Government will also launch a ‘major campaign’ to promote payroll giving, where employees are encouraged to commit a slice of their monthly pay cheque to charity.
Fuck off, will you? Just fuck the fuck off! If I decide to give to charity – and given my parlous finances, it’s a big “if”, I will do so on my own terms in my own time on an ad hoc basis when I have the funds to do so and to the charities that I choose – ones the do not take the King’s shilling. It will be nothing to do with anyone else whether the state, my bank or my employer.
The scheme may irritate customers who simply want to withdraw cash.
You don’t say? And you think that irritating people is a good motivator?
One of the things I noticed when the green paper came out that comment across the board was unremittingly negative. Clearly this government, like its predecessor, takes no notice of feedback and ploughs on regardless. So presumably, Cameron and company think that irritating people is a motivator. Well, yes it is, just not necessarily the desired one.
Ministers say it should be the norm for people to leave 10 per cent of their legacies to charities in their wills.
Again, fuck off! It will not be the norm in this household. Our wills give everything to our nearest and dearest and will not be changed from that.
God, but I despise politicians – scum of the Earth.
Hat tip to Julia for reminding me about this – well, no thanks, actually…
I never ever use cash machines – don’t trust ’em. I have a passbook and that’s it.
I don’t often use them myself. Most of my transactions are by debit card. I do, however, occasionally need to use the folding stuff.
I use the cash machine once a week and pay for everything in cash.
I’m sure restaurants will be happy to get on board this scheme. When people pay more than the bill in a restaurant it’s to tip good service. I don’t think waiting on staff will want all their tips to go to charity, particularly considering the wages they get.
Er, the Camerloon needs to check his dictionary. Giving to charity is a voluntary act. Voluntary means ‘not compulsory’.
Soliciting for donations fine, but on every cash machine transaction you make? Bad, bad, appallingly asinine idea. Besides, who decides which charity gets the money? Government? I don’t think so.
Those ‘No’ option buttons are going to wear out quickly. 🙄
Hey, it’s a brilliant idea! I mean, everyone loves those eager, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed high street chuggers, don’t they?
Don’t they…?
Anyone looking to patronise me with more of this “nudge” rubbish will get a stern “fuck off” from me as well.
Patronising bastards. They despise us so much that we think we are that stupid.
The DM article is referencing this initiative to middle income earners, as opposed to the low paid.
This is puzzling, especially with regard to ATM transactions. How could such a machine “know” whether to prompt us for donations? Surely they wouldn’t dare tag our account numbers….
Lets look at this in a positive light……
…..and find new and exciting ways how to tell these charity muggers to fuck right off. 😉
Why should a Goverment have any say about charitable donations; PERIOD … WTF has it to do with them, other than to offer tax breaks on donations ???
That is my point precisely – none of this is anything whatsoever to do with the state.
I absolutely despise Cameron. So glad I voted UKIP.
You wait until this little scheme hits my home town.
They don’t make those jokes about Aberdonians for nothing, you know.
Bastards.
I support only those charities that don’t take the State’s shilling.
Sorry, make that “the charity that doesn’t…”
Fake charities, rent-seekers, leeches, and the parasite class generally, already get far more of my money than they should, via the tax system.
Damned if they’re getting any more; they can take the sex and travel option, frankly.
RNLI, Cerebra. There will be others, but you have to seek them out 😉
I agree with you. The government are using a touch of emotional blackmail coupled with an easy way to give. They are utter bastards. A charitable act is a personal thing. As for giving 10% of my estate to charity………..not after what the bastard government takes off me in tax.