The Times reports that
"Every Briton is to be offered a government-backed virtual ID to
store personal data online, file tax returns and apply for driving
licences through a single portal." Big deal. All of this is already
available to us here in Spain. You can even make doctor appointments
on line and check how many points you have on your driving licence,
in theory at least. This is one way in which Spain feels ultra
modern, to compensate for being ultra non-modern in other aspects.
One of the Spain's
vice-presidents has accused the Catalan government of indulging in a
'legal fraud' and a 'perversion of the democratic process'. Which is
rather rich. But, then, they do know what they're talking about. The
Catalan president has accused Madrid of hypocrisy. They know a lot
about that too.
Showing how attuned it
is to hard times, the Sevilla city council recently announced an
intention to fine rubbish-bin-riflers as much as €750. There was
quite a reaction, with opposition socialist councillors pointing out
that, if these people had that much money, they'd hardly be likely to
be scouring bins for food. In the face of much anger, the proposition
was duly dropped.
Despite 7 years of
falls, the IMF says Spain's house prices are still too high.
Specifically, they're 15% above the level determined by disposable
income.
The day after the Apple
boss came out as gay, his monument in St Petersburg was taken down, as
being illegal gay propaganda. Oddly enough, Russia's RT TV Channel
didn't report this.
I mentioned a while ago there were 6 or 7 e-cigarette shops in Pontevedra. Maybe not any
more. It seems the national total has fallen by 90% in the last 12
months, from 3,000 to a mere 300. Must check it out.
For those who speak
Spanish, and have some time on their hands, my blogger colleague at
Kalebeul has pointed me to this explanation for Spain's infamously high
electricity prices.
Talking
of utility prices . . . . After last year's staggering Q4 water bill
of €615 - thanks to an underground leak - I'm doing my best
to reduce use to compensate via future bills. This has been a
success so far, with the latest bill showing use of only 8m3 of
water, at a cost of a mere €1.94. But you can see the impact of fixed costs and large-family subsidies when I tell you I
actually have to pay €26.67 for my piddling usage. And then there's
the rubbish collection charges and other 'Coefficients', of which I
have no understanding whatsoever. Leading to a total bill of €48.99.
Quite impressive really. But probably still a lot less than in the
UK, as money-printing machinery has yet to be installed in Spanish
utility companies. Other than the electricity companies, of course.
Oh
yes, my car tax has doubled in a year. This taxation business is
really easy when you can massively increase your take at the stroke
of a computer key. And take the money direct from bank accounts.
Finally
. . . Here's an amusing list of daft laws in the USA.
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