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Strategic thinking?
Read more about: Progressive Democrats, Taxation
So the budget is done. The government saying it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread, the opposition are saying it’s the worst thing since Hector, and smokers are complaining that along with smelling, they have to pay more. My heart bleeds. Now, I could try and analysis the entire thing but I think there are people better suited to doing that than me who will analysis the whole thing in the morning. But one thing that I have to wonder is this…
In the film Wag the Dog, they faked a war with Albania to get the president re-elected and faked a hero staying behind enemy lines. One of the guys wanted to bring the guy home before the election but was told that was what people voted for was the promise to bring the guy home. I have to wonder if this is the point the lack of stamp duty cuts in the budget. If they had given the PDs everything they wanted—top rate tax cut, stamp duty, etc.–what is left to vote PD for? But giving the income tax cut shows that they can deliver. This way they can say we delivered on top tax rate, vote for us and you have stamp duty reform. Clever. Is McDowell devious enough? Or maybe I am the only one who thinks like this.
Well they went into the 2002 election with a manifesto calling for the privatisation of the ESB, Bord Gais and Aer Lingus. So I imagine there’ll be something on the other 2 in it - and maybe even greater income tax cuts e.g. 35% and 15%.