Starbucks are normal for not paying tax,
Are UPS normal for being dis-honest
All's fair in profit making
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Dear
Mike, This week Starbucks called themselves “normal” for not paying any tax. [1] One MP took a second job as an advisor to KPMG - a firm that lobbies on behalf of private healthcare companies. [2] And only last week a group of MPs attacked 38 Degrees members for daring to have opinions on a dodgy international trade deal. [3] Far too often, our democracy works for politicians and big business - not people. But this old-school power is only held by a few people. And there are millions of us fighting back. This year 38 Degrees members saved our forests from being sold off - again. [4] Together, we got Matalan to pay compensation to the victims of the Rana Plaza disaster and helped keep Barclays from investing in the destruction of the Great Barrier Reef. [5] We stopped the privatisation of the Land Registry and pushed the government to use £1.1bn in banking fines to shore up our NHS. [6] What we've achieved together in 2014 is incredible. But let’s be honest - there's still a lot to do. The power we’re up against has big money and a big interest in keeping things as they are. Right now corporate bosses are putting the final touches to their money-no-object plans to influence the election. And shady political lobbyists are working out how to privatise the NHS. If we’re really going to shake things up - and fight to make our democracy work for us - more of us need to invest in making it happen. But here’s the exciting bit. 38 Degrees is 100% funded by lots of people chipping in what they can - and there are millions of us across the UK. If anyone can drown out the voice of big business - it’s us. Will you chip in £2 or £3 a week to help make sure that in 2015 people power overtakes big business? https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/start-direct-debit-a All of the money we spend comes from people like you. Everything, from newspaper ads to staff costs, or legal advice when campaigns sail a bit close to the wind, is funded by 38 Degrees members. [7] And some of the plans for 2015 are already taking shape:
Can you chip in £2 or £3 a week so we can win more campaigns on the issues that matter to all of us? https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/start-direct-debit-a Our enemies work on behalf of just a few people. When we come together in our millions we are stronger. Let’s make 2015 the year people power overtakes the powerful few. Thanks for being involved, David, Nat, Susannah, Bryony, Rachel, James R, Barney, Blanche, Ali, Laura T, India, Maddy, Amy, Danny, James B, Elizabeth, Laura K, Megan, Rebecca, Jen, Barbara, Phil, Robin, Belinda - the 38 Degrees staff team PS: In case you're mulling it over, here are six more reasons to donate to 38 Degrees: 1. We’re driven by you 38 Degrees works because hundreds of thousands of us act together to create change. Every campaign we choose and the actions we run are voted on and decided together by our members - no other interests come into it. We are completely independent from government, politicians, big business, lobby groups, trade unions, etc. There aren't many organisations who can say that! Democratic values are at the core of what we do. 2. We’re financially responsible We are regularly audited to make sure all our books and accounts are in order - and we post the results online. This is done independently and on an annual basis by Sayer Vincent, who are specialists in auditing for NGOs and charities. Have a look at our latest audited accounts here: http://38degrees.3cdn.net/ba65bf5ac3c2b75a33_99m6iiz3f.pdf 3. We’re cost-effective Our way of campaigning has a huge impact without loads of money. We are a small team. There’s no bureaucracy and your money goes directly on campaign actions and resources. You can read more about how we make donations go as far as possible here. Please can you chip in £2 or £3 a week? Please click here to set up a direct debit via our secure website: https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/start-direct-debit-a 4. We’re independent and political We are a registered limited company - we’re not-for-profit, but we’re not a charity. This makes a massive difference. If you are legally registered as a charity you have to follow a set of rules on what you can and can't say or do. Our not-for-profit legal structure means we are completely independent to shout as loud as we need to on as many political issues as our members are concerned about. 5. We win Our people-powered model of creating change works. And more people are joining every day. In just five years millions of us have come together to take action. Working together we get politicians to listen, and we get our voices heard in the places where decisions are made. With your donations we can double our impact and double our membership community. That makes a powerful combination for ensuring we continue to win campaigns in 2015. 6. We are a community of AMAZING people You're part of a beautiful community of people who get things done, and help make change happen. Here are a few words from some of them, including people who are already making a regular donation to 38 Degrees: “I donate because someone's got to fight for a proper democracy in this country. I've lost faith in the government doing things for the people. I hope that by donating I'm supporting a movement that actually oversees those big kids in Parliament and the House of Lords who can't be trusted otherwise to do what's right and good for the people.” - Michael “The reason I'm happy to donate is that 38 Degrees members, together, form a perpetual ‘thorn in the side’ of the Government, and their sneaky and repeated attempts to bulldoze through legislation that isn't in the public interest.” - Rob “I make a regular donation to 38 Degrees because they've done so much to keep me informed about what actions I can take, and with very little effort, to ensure the safe future of our NHS. They have no big money backers, so nobody else can keep them going but us.” - Claire Our enemies work on behalf of just a few people. When we come together in our millions we are stronger. Can you join Michael, Rob and Claire and set up a direct debit today? Please click here to give a small amount to 38 Degrees each week via our secure website: https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/start-direct-debit-a NOTES [1] Evening Standard: Starbucks UK boss: 'There is nothing abnormal about the way we are run': http://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/starbucks-boss-firm-wont-pay-normal-level-of-tax-for-three-more-years-9895275.html [2] The Mirror: £1Billion NHS sell-off scandal: Tory MP works for firm targeting huge health service deal: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/1billion-nhs-sell-off-scandal-tory-4724959 [3] 38 Degrees: TTIP - Angry MPs: http://blog.38degrees.org.uk/2014/11/26/ttip-angry-mps/ [4] 38 Degrees: Save our forests: Victory!: http://blog.38degrees.org.uk/2014/11/05/save-our-forests-victory/ [5] 38 Degrees: Matalan: Only £60,000: http://blog.38degrees.org.uk/2014/08/08/matalan-only-60000/ 38 Degrees: Victory: Barclays won’t invest in destroying the Great Barrier Reef!: http://blog.38degrees.org.uk/2014/06/26/barclays-great-barrier-reef-win/ [6] 38 Degrees Campaigns By You: Save Privatisation of the Land Registry: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-the-land-registry-from-privatisation 38 Degrees: Banking fines go to the NHS: http://blog.38degrees.org.uk/2014/12/01/banking-fines-go-the-nhs/ [7] 38 Degrees: Donations to 38 Degrees: http://www.38degrees.org.uk/pages/donations-to-38-degrees |
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