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Paying political rally bills

by
2008-11-21 10:26

Dear Editor,

Recent news headlines are asking for KZN taxpayers to pay for political parties stuff for the upcoming elections.

I don't want to see the money I diligently pay to Sars going to politicians. They should do like America does and get their own sponsorships.

I want my tax money to go to road repairs, education, medical care and things that will benefit the people not benefit the already over paid fat cat politicians. Why should we be paying for all those t shirts and placards? If you like a certain party - the T-shirt should be available on sale along with all the other paraphernalia.

As for their costs for running the campaigns - if they can't afford to do them and they can't get sponsors - then ag shame - they can go without. There are many things better suited for the money to be used on.

Take a look at our education system and medical system for starters. They genuinely need the money. Then there is the condition of our roads and the infrastructure promised to every South African - not to mention houses. There certainly isn't a shortage of things to spend the tax money on.

We really don't need to over burden a failing system with frivolous stuff like political rally bills.

'Ginger'

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Disclaimer: News24 encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse views. The views of users published on News24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of News24. News24 editors reserve the right to edit or delete any and all comments received.

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slabs 11/21/2008 10:35:08 AM
SURELY THIS IS NOT LEAGAL
Richard Hipkin 11/21/2008 10:38:46 AM
This has been going on for a long time! They expect to have that priviledge. Politics in SA is immensely rewarding!
JC 11/21/2008 10:39:05 AM
The unfortunate reality is that the ANC has an excess of funding through their front companies that have been taking goverment contracts (normally without due process and quite illegally). The "profits" are then used to fund the ANC. Your tax money is already being siphoned off large-scale to the ANC!
WhiPnTickle 11/21/2008 10:40:25 AM
I agree thats what it should be about its a sport a contest and they must get there own sponsers. Our money should go to education and roads and so on to better us not a party
Sinudeity@Gmail.com 11/21/2008 10:42:10 AM
ALL the elections millions from ALL the parties, could be MUCH better utilized in other fields. So much money wasted in South Africa. So many poeple that need help.
Goldmine 11/21/2008 10:42:52 AM
For them for everything else. Why not for them to try and keep you paying for them when newly elected?
kgomotso 11/21/2008 10:44:15 AM
each party must fund its rallies unless there is a policy that allows allocation for such.But lets not forget education and health have their budget and if we can say government has not provided houses, constructed roads and done many good things we will be lying they have.If fact government has introduced many good health programme esp for kids and we are rated amongst countries that have best health policy even better than developed countries like USA.
AJ 11/21/2008 10:50:59 AM
If I had to choose, I would rather money was allocated by government, when private companies fund political parties then problems come in. Although funding with my money is wastage, gettig government to disburse rather than corporates takes favouritism out the equation.
Tlaki 11/21/2008 10:55:42 AM
SA is a sickening country especially politics.I agree 100% with you my tax money should go to roads,hospitals and education not to ANC fat crooks Look to America Barack was campaigning by getting sponsors. People dont have foods, no shelters, shortage of water but those are benefiting are these fat cats always watching them on TV with STD 5
Big Bad Bob 11/21/2008 10:58:01 AM
Unless you think the IEC has it's own source of income. Funding is provided to each party, with the quantum determined by number of seats a party has in parliament. And, of course, morality and political clout should not be dependent on wealth - otherwise parties who focus on the poor and whose membership is predominatly poor would stand no chance, and a party of and backed by rich elitists would prevail.
SimonP 11/21/2008 11:10:41 AM
Are you saying the ANC should spend tax payers money on the betterment of the country and its people rather than use it for their own personal gain? Why change after 14 years of inept rule?
Lithium 11/21/2008 11:13:47 AM
Amen!
Uncle UBA 11/21/2008 11:21:15 AM
Zuma speaks in absolute terms about the everlasting ruling of the ANC and the 'uselessness' of any opposition to ANC-Exactly Mugabe's rhetoric- be careful of this man.I listen to him on TV but his speeches are 'incoherent' basically of little, funny substance and not serious as befites what he aspire to mean to South Africans.Ever see Zuma in 'Dark Glasses' smilling unwillingly at chantint poor villagers- as if looking at the 'carpet' he is walking on!Heloves attention-his motorcade ,Lord fobird
VG 11/21/2008 11:25:36 AM
You're already funding political parties whether you like it or not. The "sponsorships" you refer to are often from corporates - which means that initially came from your back pocket. I'd hate to think that some of the money I spend at Woolies would be funneled into Shikota for instance in the form of a corporate donation - unless all parties received an equal amt. Using tax money seems the most fair, uncomplicaed method to me.
proud to be white 11/21/2008 11:31:40 AM
Probably only the ANC,because they are now realizing that they are under threat from other parties,I don't live in KZN,but I fully agree with you that I would rather have my tax money spent on roads,education,security and uplifting the poor and needy.
Sinudeity@Gmail.com 11/21/2008 11:43:48 AM
This is like the US, where the lobbyists pay government officials lots of money to implement their policies into the constitution etc. It is a VERY corrupt practise, and crosses the line of companies and government being seperate entities. ALl these practises should be made illegal, but then again, CORRUPTION is illegal, but nothing is being done about corrupt individuals.
terence 11/21/2008 11:47:07 AM
SA's health system is no where near that of the usa hence the shortage of doctors in this country...usa has medical technology that SA has never even heard of before. then we have the most useless police force in the world probably..we dont even have CSI's...and then not sure if you heard this on the news but a few people have already been killed in their rdp houses with the houses falling on top of them...as for the roads well they full of pot holes as you know...really your anc is pathetic man
James 11/21/2008 11:47:26 AM
Maybe it would be a good idea to make parties fund their own rallies. If they did, it would be a good way of observing how useless they are before voting for them. I fear JZ would not pull off anything if he had to organise it himself (maybe an illegal transaction or two)....
jim 11/21/2008 11:49:00 AM
Actually, in case you didn't know, the KZN provincial treasury have frozen all departments budgets because the department of health has overspent by 2 Billion!!! They usually over/underspend by about 10 million. Nice one Peggy Nkonyeni! She should be fired!
Thembi 11/21/2008 11:49:16 AM
Taxpayers money do what?? That will be the day
jim 11/21/2008 11:51:46 AM
Rich elitest will always prevail. Thats why they are the elite!
colin 11/21/2008 11:54:34 AM
How would we be able to have a viable democracy if all political parties does not have the means to reach the electorate with there message to enable the electorate to make an inform decision - big parties like the ANC are sponsored by big business and multinationals but this does not come for free - once elected they have to repay via allocating tenders and change policies to benefit these companies - the same happens in the USA big oils companies sponsored the Bush campaign and all know how he had to repay them. I have no problem for a reasonable minimum grant being allocated to political parties but then they will have to give a full account or report to government or an independent body on how these funds were used. Democracy is not for free and all of us should be willing to pay our share to safeguard our democracy.
Christopher 11/21/2008 11:55:11 AM
What South Africa have you been living in - obviously on a medicla aid? When last did you go to a state hospital or wait in line at a clinic for your medication?
jim 11/21/2008 11:55:43 AM
think they are rock stars! Rolling around in their motorcades with blue lights and body gaurds protecting them from who knows who. They think they're important big dicks who should be treated with royalty and respect. Wake up people you're public servants. SERVANTS, yes thats right, you SERVE the public. The public is your boss!
andrew 11/21/2008 11:55:43 AM
Please prove your statement "If fact government has introduced many good health programme esp for kids and we are rated amongst countries that have best health policy even better than developed countries like USA" Seems like you believe everything you hear - what a village idiot u are!
terence 11/21/2008 12:02:20 PM
that is your parties problem not the tax payers problem. If your party cannot come up with funds then it does not deserve to be in power but that is your peoples mentality..you just want everything given to you rather than working for it hey buddy
colin 11/21/2008 12:32:38 PM
I have worked hard to be were I am today, borne of a single mother who had to work hard to give us the little she could afford. I had to use every chance and opportunity in my life to make it a success and had to pay for my own education - no reach daddy or mommy fit my varsity bill - I obtained bursaries and loans and paid every cent back with interest - so to respond to your uninformed comment this boy take no handouts or freebies.
Sinudeity@Gmail.com 11/21/2008 12:35:37 PM
I dont agree with this concept. It just allows MORE holes for corruption.
AJ 11/21/2008 1:19:48 PM
The fact that you also get a vote is a good example of how democracy often can let the people down and actually be an impediment to progress.
andrew 11/21/2008 1:27:17 PM
Its rich not reach daddy Colin. You should ask for a refund on that varsity education of yours. Classic!
Miss T 11/21/2008 3:56:56 PM
I see you specifically said political rallies. What about having all rallies in stadiums where the people who go to them actually pay to attend them instead of getting free t shirts and grub. Not huge amounts - if you have big enough numbers R5 entrance plus pay for your own t shirt and food should do the trick. That way you would be making a contribution the party you want to see at the top. The one who genuinely has the most supporters will get the most rally money to do more promotions with.

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