Yes we can!!!

RetroBok said:
Refuse to pay our congestion charge because we're American :D
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6799045.ece
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I don't see why foreign diplomats should pay. This is a tax to reduce congestion but the AMBASSADOR and his staff should not pay that, they should have free reign to come and go throughout the city. Britain is being childish here. It's the same for traffic fines and other stuff - it gets ignored - you have diplomatic immunity if you're a diplomat.

Dear London,

Diplomats and ancillary staff don't pay tax or penalties. They're there to perform very important duties between governments.

Regards,
 
I agree, however other governments pay the congestion charge. What makes the Americans special? Or are they taking the moral high ground?
 
RetroBok said:
I agree, however other governments pay the congestion charge. What makes the Americans special? Or are they taking the moral high ground?
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Not all the other govt's pay. It's not America's fault the other govt's are idiots OR maybe they charge the UK staff tit-for-tat fees in their own countries too - it usually works this way.
 
This may be true, however I think they should pay up... I'm totally against the congestion fee however it's law in this country to pay it. What makes them above the law. I get they're diplomats etc and as such they receive certain perks. Where does it stop though?

What example are they setting?
 
PeterCH said:
I don't see why foreign diplomats should pay. This is a tax to reduce congestion but the AMBASSADOR and his staff should not pay that, they should have free reign to come and go throughout the city.
Click to expand...

Strangely enough, I sort of agree with you. Technically, it is a tax rather than a charge for services, which is what the mayor is trying to claim.

But on the other hand, I have absolutely no time for diplomats in cars, so I feel they should pay up.
 
PeterCH said:
I don't see why foreign diplomats should pay. This is a tax to reduce congestion but the AMBASSADOR and his staff should not pay that, they should have free reign to come and go throughout the city. Britain is being childish here. It's the same for traffic fines and other stuff - it gets ignored - you have diplomatic immunity if you're a diplomat.

Dear London,

Diplomats and ancillary staff don't pay tax or penalties. They're there to perform very important duties between governments.

Regards,
Click to expand...

The problem is diplomatic immunity. Nobody is that special.
 
The Brits are still miffed at the box set DVDs brush off :D
 
RetroBok said:
This may be true, however I think they should pay up... I'm totally against the congestion fee however it's law in this country to pay it. What makes them above the law. I get they're diplomats etc and as such they receive certain perks. Where does it stop though?

What example are they setting?
Click to expand...

But diplomats ARE above the law. They are high level representatives of their governments. They are protected by bilateral agreements from being harassed and manipulated - hence there is this thing called "Diplomatic Immunity". Of course for serious offenses diplomats can be deported from the country or even arrested but that's only for serious offenses (espionage, murder, etc).

This has nothing to do with setting examples. This is about a person doing the business of his nation in an unhindered manner for the benefit of his and the host nation.
 
It's a wonder South African politicians aren't chomping at the bit to become foreign affairs people :D

When Mugarbage retires he'll want to be the Zim ambassador in S.A. :D
 
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