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Donations given to retain Democracy?

(7 Posts)
Philippa111 Sat 26-Nov-22 12:38:53

It dawned on me this morning that we are all 'donating' approximately £1500 a year to the war in Ukraine because that is actually what our heightened energy bills are mostly about.

I'm not having a political conversation about whether or not the government should be charging the energy companies more tax on their excessive revenue.

So, here's a question? Would you be willing to donate that amount freely rather than being made to do it, to retain your/our (relatively) democratic world in Europe?

Lathyrus Sat 26-Nov-22 13:05:45

Truly I don’t follow what you are saying.

Can you explain a bit more about how we are “donating”.

Philippa111 Sat 26-Nov-22 13:15:38

I put the word 'donate' in inverted commas because that is actually where the extra money from our energy bills is going right now, albeit being taken rather than donated. Because Putin is withholding fuel, the price has risen. If we want our cheaper prices back we have to allow Russia to overthrow Ukraine . We are supporting Ukraine, not just to help them but also to maintain our democratic freedom in Europe.
My question is really how far would you go to protect our democratic society? Would you donate if it wasn't taken?

Aveline Sat 26-Nov-22 13:16:20

I accept that our energy prices are rising due to the war in Ukraine (among other things.) I have no problem contributing to the UK's support for Ukraine in fact I think we might have to contribute more. The cruel wanton illegal destruction of a free country can't be allowed. Bullies can't win.

MaizieD Sat 26-Nov-22 13:33:45

I could see what you were getting at, Philippa111. It's a lovely thought.

But I'm afraid that our increased energy bills are contributing nothing to the war in Ukraine. They are contributing to the vastly increased profits of the energy producers, whose first reaction to a supply shortage is to whack up prices. It's called profiteering

MawtheMerrier Sat 26-Nov-22 14:14:50

No way. I think we are “donating” only to the obscenely inflated profits of the big energy companies.

Aveline Sat 26-Nov-22 14:47:03

I'm sure that the government could do something about uncoupling the gas and electricity prices and taking a large chunk of their profits. It's hard to understand why they don't.