I Hate Filling In Forms!

It has just been one of those weeks so far, the kind where you think that you won't have much on, then spend most of it chasing up paperwork. In my case both professional and personal documentation. First there was that assignment I had to submit yesterday. OK, got that in! Then I had an application for disclosure to fill in, my second in less than a year ( at £20 a time). I have to apply to the GTCS (General Teaching Council Scotland) in order to be "allowed" to qualify as a teacher (that's £55 this year and £40 every year after). These are exactly the sort of things you need as a 4th year student with a family and no money, in the run up to Christmas!

Anyway, had to apply to the GTCS online, had problems with that, had to phone them up, eventually got it sorted. Had to print off the completed forms and direct debit mandate, to send off with the disclosure form. then I had to go to the library to photocopy a birth certificate, passport and driving licence to send off with that as well.

Next up, my daughter wanted some book off of Amazon, so I logged in and bought it for 1 pence. Great, no, not so great, my account had my old credit card details. Easy, I'll just change the card details and everything will be fine. Would it let me do that? No, it wouldn't! I deleted my old details then couldn't enter my new details, so I had to enter my credit card details to buy the book and then it automatically updated my profile. Ah, the wonders of technology, everything's arse about tit!

The Banking Clan Attempt To Control Universe!

Sensational headline, but mark my words, "Today's Science Fiction is tomorrow's reality!" Ha, what tosh, I hear you retort. Well no, actually. Take a look at what's going on around you and you'll see what I mean. Let me try and make it plain for you.

This morning marked my annual visit to the bank, to "update my record"! By now I've become quite accustomed to the format, they pretend that the meeting is for my benefit, then try and sell me on Life Assurance, Car Insurance, Pensions etc. Nothing too sinister in that eh? Oh, but there is! What is sinister is the increasing manner in which the bank presumes that we're in some way beholden to them. At one time banks provided a friendly and non-threatening service. Now, they're all menace and power-mad. You can sense it in their letters and you can sense it even better face to face.

The unfolding scenario as I see it is thus; The banks want to charge you a monthly fee just for having an account, you should be grateful that they have gifted you this gracious favour. On top of that they're planning charging you a fee for every direct debit, for every cash withdrawal, for evrey card transaction. You're looking at, at least £300 fees a year, possibly way more depending on how many transactions you make. They can do this because you need them. All wages are now paid by BACS, into your bank account and many services such as utilities will only accept direct debit payments. You need an account and the bank knows it, they've got you by the balls!

Unfortunately, the future of banking looks even bleaker for Joe Public. A smart person would tell you (I will tell you!) that our government are desperate to move towards a cashless society and believe me, that is not going to benefit you, but your bank will be rubbing their hands in glee at the prospect of such an event. Firstly, your life will then belong to your bank! They will be able to break you instantly, possibly even just for disrespecting them. They would simply freeze your account and your life would become instantly unbearable (anyone seen Enemy Of the State). Secondly, all the banks will work in cahoots to make sure that they can squeeze oodles of cash out of everyone, in transaction fees. Thirdly, you won't be able to sell things yourself unless you have a card reader, because all transactions will be recorded. Got some cash you don't want anyone to know about, not anymore you won't!

So now you can see how the Banking Clan became so powerful in the Star Wars films, cashless society = evil bankers. I hope you get this, it's definitely where we're heading!