Knives out as corrosive budget on the cards

The ritual softening up process of a population ahead of corrosive budgetary changes has begun.

Last week the spectre of elevated property taxes were rolled out and expect a slew of other nasty ideas to unfold as the Real Government, aka the troika, prepares for the December Budget. These will be hammed up to the full as policymakers test market tolerance levels across the State before deciding which knives to apply in 2013.

The restructuring of any economy has top down and bottom up aspects. The top-down bit relates to convincing international money providers that we are a responsible nation that can be trusted with loans to fund important services. Running a civilised western society must include a commitment to meet debt obligations connected to the management of the State, otherwise the entire system will grind to a halt.