The decline in small shops and pubs could be ameliorated by the government actually considering the people that use them rather than the supermarket chains and big brewers that fund their political party.
Taxation is a tool of social policy. You increase taxes on booze and fags and you do indeed hurt the 'lower' social classes disproportionately. As they are less likely to vote this is not an issue. The Labour vote is only in decline as the middle class pips begin to squeak. Petrol price rises are going to cause real problems for suburbia as they realise that the loss of the corner shop will not be compensated for by the 10 mile round trip to the favoured out of town location for every conceivable service.
I use public houses regularly and I see virtually no pensioners in most of them. The higher duties have ensured that the OAP has virtually deserted the £3 a pint pub. I'm beginning to wonder how much longer I can afford to drink out.
We are going to be left with a sad society deprived of places where people can meet in a convivial atmosphere for a glass of beer, a fag and a chinwag. It might be progress/change, but I think we could do more to slow the pace. Treating adults with respect concerning their lifestyle choices would go a long way to making our society a happier place.
__________________
When in Woking do as the Wokes do.
"I do not wish to form my opinions by thoughtlessly quoting others; I wish others to support their opinions by sensibly quoting me." Paul Wesson (Aardvark) 13th April 2008
|