Election tax pledges

I don't think anyone is particularly surprised at the bickering that goes on about taxes in the run-up to an election. Cutting taxes seems to be the main thrust of Tory policy, but I don't think that this is what people really want. The tax burden in this country for the average working person isn't too bad. People would rather see more money going into public services than paying slightly less direct taxes but living in a world where the poor receive no help.

Keeping troops in Iraq is costing the UK nearly 2 billion pounds a year. Some people rather naively supported the war when it started and now claim they don't, but we 'have to finish the job'. How long do we give this task then? Those troops aren't going home any time soon, or at least not without leaving behind a whole lot of trouble.

We should never have invaded Iraq, but Labour and the Tories supported it. They shouldn't hide behind the costs by cutting services elsewhere - taxes should be raised to meet the costs. If the taxpayer feels some pain in the wallet then perhaps fewer people will be so bloodthirsty next time, and the government might not get away with it. To cut services that people need to pay for an illegal war is simply wrong. To believe that 4 billion can be saved by 'eliminating waste' is foolish beyond belief.