PSSST! Wanna Buy A Statute?

I recently learned that new statutes are evaluated by the money men before they are shovelled through parliament.

If you ever thought that statutes were enacted for the sake of justice, I hope I will have busted that particular myth by the time you finish reading this entry.

How does it work?

Set your faces to stun, while I elaborate.

Preamble: the United Kingdom is bankrupt. She has been for 140 years. We have been trading thanks to something similar to the Americans' Chapter 11. Which means, in effect, that we can continue to trade but any profits realised must be used to repay debt. It is unlikely that we will ever emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, but we (read HMG) have to find ways to raise cash money. Knights on white chargers are as rare as hens teeth, so we get new statutes instead. Lots and lots of 'em.

So, the problem in one word = money.

The solution, also in one word = legislation.

Every piece of legislation shat out of parliament carries a punishment, usually in the form of a fine. (It also has to have a remedy, more on remedies another day). In many cases, they also bring in a lot of front-money when they cause people or industry to apply for licenses and such. Think of Scotlands new licensing laws and the average cost to alcohol retailers, or, this new mountain of cash the CRB legislation will squeeze out of ordinary parents, who will be forced to lay out £100 for a background check just so that they can continue running little Chelsea to girl guides with her friends in the car.

Here is the scam, in a nutshell.

First, we have to come up with a piece of legislation that the bankers (read Bank of England) like the look of. So our government guys get weaving. They put together a synopsis of the new statute, along with a projection of its future earnings, then they sit down over coffee and biscuits over at Threadneedle Street. Then the haggling begins: the BoE look at the numbers and advance the government whatever they agree the new statute will generate. The government take the £4 billion, £7 billion or £10 billion, and repay some debt. As the fines roll in they are sent to those 18 shady Directors at the BoE. Everyone is happy.

It's a sales pitch. In much the same way that your future earnings are projected (see earlier posts for more details on our Birth Bonds), the bank allows the government to borrow money based on future earnings of the legislation pitched to them. Deal done, the g-men hurry off back to the Treasury to give them the good news. Next, the statute is suggested, drafted, discussed in the HoC, passed up to the HoL for discussion, debate and amendments, back down to the lower house for a vote, then off it goes to Becky for her assent/rubber stamp.

Result! HMG now has a new means of extorting money from the great unwashed.

Need an example? Look no further than the Road Traffic Act 1988. This Act has generated billions and billions of £££'s for the Chancellor over the last 21 years. And it will go on leeching cash from your pocket to go into this wasteful governments grasping mitts. Unless, of course, you do what I did, and let them know that you will no longer observe, adhere to, or take notice of statutes that were neither written for human beings and which weren't written for people who live on dry land.

Remember: all Statutes, Acts, Bills and Statutory Instruments are Laws-of-the-Water. They do not apply to you or me. Unless, of course, you actually do live, work and play on the sea.

Shocked? Disgusted? Gob-smacked?

Me too.

As unbelievable as it sounds, it makes sense.

Why else would they need to fine you for leaving your bin out too long? For smoking in a pub? For driving a little over the speed limit? For parking your car on some poxy yellow lines?

None of these "crimes*" harm, cause injury or loss to another human. But they do ensure a steady supply of your money to their bank account.

*There are only four basic crimes, and they are steeped in common sense: do not hurt, do not kill, do not steal, and do not defraud. Anything else is mere commentary.

Statutes are superfluous. They exist only to milk you, the cash cow.

My teats have withstood enough punishment, and I say, "No more!".

Unusually, I have not supported this entry with any evidence. The reason for this is that I have only found one source, so far. I am not happy until I have found two, three or more sources that I can cross-check. I'll be digging deeper and will find, and provide, something credible for you to inspect. I just wanted to share this with you to demonstrate just how hoodwinked we all are. The truth is a lie, and it brings me no pleasure to share these awful things with you, but I am obligated (by my conscience) to disseminate.

Nothing, absolutely nothing, surprises me anymore.

This has long since ceased to be a mere rabbit hole.

This deception is deeper than the fucking Kimberley Mine.