Protests about U2 Playing

[bamber]

The number of Millionaires in the world increased by 12% last year! Not paying their taxes played a major part in this.

[danbailey80]

Idiots - of all the ILLEGAL tax dodging corporations around the world and they choose U2 - by far the biggest giving, contributing and promoting artists to world charity.

U2 simply wanted more choice about where there money went (i.e not in the military for example). They also worked out that they spent around 10 days in that country a year so why should they pay tax there. U2 have contributed a huge amount to local charities in Ireland.

An utterly ridiculous protest to simply create publicity that will do more harm to their cause than good.

Edited June 4, 2011 by danbailey80

[danbailey80]

The number of Millionaires in the world increased by 12% last year! Not paying their taxes played a major part in this.

Edited June 4, 2011 by danbailey80

[bamber]

So all millionaires don't pay taxes? Making sweeping statements that you copied off the internet doesn't help anyone.

I also can't take anyone who is a avid fan of Josh Stone seriously..

[bamber]

Can anyone give me any good reason why some of my tax paid should subsidise the shortfall arising from rich tax evaders. Every time they pay less we pay more. Schools and hospitals don't build themselves.

[danbailey80]

The facts are there. It is clear to see. Tax Evasion in all Countries is endemic. Coruption rules this world. Only the Economicaly blind can not see this truth.

Edited June 4, 2011 by danbailey80

[CaledonianGonzo]

tax evasion, get it right, it's tax avoidance, perfectly legal and f**king sensible!

Why should anybody pay more tax than anybody else? You get nothing more for your additional tax than the benefit scroungers!

You work hard to get where you are and then are penalised for been successful. It's bollocks and if idiot protesters want to try and spoil this I suggest a mass counter-protest of piss throwing at them.

[muddyslingbax]

Bono has taken the full brunt of Irelands f**k up. The idiots in the country are too f**king stupid, lazy and uneducated to know the names of the politicians and bankers who caused the mess. It's SO EASY to hang it on the countrys most famous man. Everything I hate about modern society summed up in one "protest". It's an idiots point of view. Activist pub talk.

[bamber]

I'd love this on a T-shirt. With Josh Stone's face on the back.

[jimmystobo]

somebody better tell the protesters nobody will be able to see anything because of the flags.

[amnesiac-kid]

Whilst I do not agree with tax evasion or avoidance, whatever you want to call it, as post 52 says, there are far more wealthy corporations that should be targeted that are doing far more damage with their tax avoidance. They're just looking for a pedestal on TV and attacking a famous figure just because he's famous.

Besides, if someone spends such little time in a country, why should he be forced to pay for the services there? He donates plenty to charities and causes far more important worldwide. How much time do you imagine he has spent in Ireland over the past few years?

[Quadrant]

I'm delighted to hear about this protest and hope it gets plenty of attention. The blatant hypocrisy of Bono regarding this matter has always irritated me. Fine, avoid taxes, many rich people and most corporations do, but don't have the cheek to try and present yourself as a moral spokesperson. It'd be only hilarious to see his monstrous ego take a bit of a bruising.

[Quadrant]

Bono has taken the full brunt of Irelands f**k up. The idiots in the country are too f**king stupid, lazy and uneducated to know the names of the politicians and bankers who caused the mess. It's SO EASY to hang it on the countrys most famous man. Everything I hate about modern society summed up in one "protest". It's an idiots point of view. Activist pub talk.

[muddyslingbax]

Tax dodging - sorry 'avoidance - by corporations and the rich costs the state up to £95bn a year

Have a read:

http://www.noshockdoctrine.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/NoShockDoctrineFAQs.pdf

A crisis brought about by neoliberal free-market fundamentalism can't be solved by more of the same.

As for Bono, not arsed, really. There are bigger fish to fry.

[Ron Burgundy]

f**k are we now protesting tax avoidance for people outside of the UK now?

this would be a good start....

What time is The Passion of St Tibbulus on in the cinema tent?

[anoldhippie@60]

I am sure most people if they could would like to find away not to pay so much tax. Instead of picking on U2 or other bands/individuals what about our government that thru there cut backs are making thousands of people out of work, but we can afford to give billions to Pakistan and Ireland. Not to mention the amount being spent on our War work.

[Big Vern]

Tax dodging - sorry 'avoidance - by corporations and the rich costs the state up to £95bn a year

http://www.pcs.org.uk/en/campaigns/campaign-resources/there-is-an-alternative-the-case-against-cuts-in-public-spending.cfm

Instead of collecting taxes, the Tories have now embarked on a programme of ideologically-driven cuts that hit the most vulnerable and poorest people in society. Libraries are closing, the NHS is being opened up to the free market, the school system is gradually being privatised, charity services are being penalised.

And you want the wealthiest men in the country likes of Sir Philip Green - lest we forget, someone advising the government on 'waste' to pay the same amount of tax as, say, teachers or nurses?

Man oh man.

Have a read:

http://www.noshockdoctrine.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/NoShockDoctrineFAQs.pdf

A crisis brought about by neoliberal free-market fundamentalism can't be solved by more of the same.

As for Bono, not arsed, really. There are bigger fish to fry.

[CaledonianGonzo]

Paying taxes is a privilege. Talk of 'working hard' is emotive, but how does that apply to bailed out corporations in the financial sector? To inherited wealth?

Taxes should be progressive and proportionate to income. The rich benefit from government policies, subsidies, tax credits, etc. in ways that no poor household can.

By way of comparison, seeing as you dislike benefit fraud:

It makes up less than 1% of the total lost due to tax avoidance.

[geebus]

Tax dodging - sorry 'avoidance - by corporations and the rich costs the state up to £95bn a year

...

Instead of collecting taxes, the Tories have now embarked on a programme of ideologically-driven cuts that hit the most vulnerable and poorest people in society. Libraries are closing, the NHS is being opened up to the free market, the school system is gradually being privatised, charity services are being penalised.

[Big Vern]

Paying taxes is a privilege. Talk of 'working hard' is emotive, but how does that apply to bailed out corporations in the financial sector? To inherited wealth?

Taxes should be progressive and proportionate to income. The rich benefit from government policies, subsidies, tax credits, etc. in ways that no poor household can.

By way of comparison, seeing as you dislike benefit fraud:

It makes up less than 1% of the total lost due to tax avoidance.

[CaledonianGonzo]

So you'd prefer we chase all the super-rich out to tax havens, whereby we don't get ANY money from them at all.

Sadly we have to consider the realities of how people will react too.

[Spindles]

Caledonian Gonzo, I liked your post but couldn't +1 it.

The benefit fraud argument is a lie. I don't have the information to hand to illustrate why, but I am going to spend some time today with the issue and later will break it down with real evidence that is freely available (unless I get high and fall asleep in the sun!)

How has no one posted this yet?

[Breeze]

Like to see you start a protest in Croker the next time they play big boy.

[swilsh]

Like others I do not really know enough about tax avoidance, but reading this thread there are a lot of people that appear to be saying that they should not protest at U2 because there are worse offenders and that the protesters are just doing it for publicity.

Firstly obviously there are worse offenders, but just because another party is doing something worse does not make the tax avoidance by U2 acceptable or should necessarily be tolerated.

Secondly... of course! extra publicity means people will talk about the protests like we are doing now in a forum about a festival, it widens the scope of discussion from interest groups to festival goers making more people active in this debate over tax avoidance.

I can sympathize with the argument that people do not want their glastonbury ruined, but lets be realistic, if it happens it will probably be a small group drowned out by Bono's "YEAH YEAH YEAH YEEAAAAH" (ala south park). Whatever your political belief is, I am suprised by the vitirol aimed at the protesters, they appear (to me at least) to have a valid reason to protest, so let them.

I on the other hand will be busy dancing to DJ Shadow.....and avoiding tax

[Breeze]

I am sure most people if they could would like to find away not to pay so much tax. Instead of picking on U2 or other bands/individuals what about our government that thru there cut backs are making thousands of people out of work, but we can afford to give billions to Pakistan and Ireland. Not to mention the amount being spent on our War work.