This illusion is compounded by the belief of many voters that someone else is also bearing the direct cost of current taxes.

FORBES: Who is serious about limiting taxes?

Then the Benguela current forced the diamond-bearing sands ashore, forming the Namib desert.

BBC: The ghostly shore of Namibia��s Skeleton Coast

You can add to that competition authorities and regulators bearing down on banks' control of the market in personal current accounts and insurance.

BBC: A Royal that's not in jubilee mood