Re: Austerity gone too far? : Thu May 09, 2013 2:50 pm  

Thoughts of a 90-year-old WWII veteran on the current state of affairs.

Thoughts of a 90-year-old WWII veteran on the current state of affairs.

Re: Austerity gone too far? : Thu May 09, 2013 3:23 pm  

Mintball wrote: Thoughts of a 90-year-old WWII veteran on the current state of affairs. Excellent piece of writing, his was the generation who gave us the NHS, a state pension, social care and social housing fit to live in, they cleared slums and made sure that the governments that followed the war didn't forget why they had been elected - they also gave us NATO, the United Nations and the beginnings of the EU to make sure that we didn't have to do what they had to do. No wonder he sits there now and shakes his head as he sees all of us stand by and let politicians unravel all of their predecessors good work.

Mintball wrote: Thoughts of a 90-year-old WWII veteran on the current state of affairs. Excellent piece of writing, his was the generation who gave us the NHS, a state pension, social care and social housing fit to live in, they cleared slums and made sure that the governments that followed the war didn't forget why they had been elected - they also gave us NATO, the United Nations and the beginnings of the EU to make sure that we didn't have to do what they had to do. No wonder he sits there now and shakes his head as he sees all of us stand by and let politicians unravel all of their predecessors good work.

Re: Austerity gone too far? : Thu May 09, 2013 4:10 pm  

It's extremely moving as well.

And it almost makes you think that, with most of his generation now gone, that's one of things that makes the work of this government easier in its deconstruction of the social contract.

Re: Austerity gone too far? : Thu May 09, 2013 4:36 pm  

Mintball wrote:

It's extremely moving as well.

And it almost makes you think that, with most of his generation now gone, that's one of things that makes the work of this government easier in its deconstruction of the social contract.

As I've said many times on here, as an electorate we get the politicians we deserve. Apathy among the electorate and people being unwilling to hold politicians to account breeds comtempt for the electorate. People need to stand up and be counted. I had a small temporary victory this week by some very pointed questions I wrote to local politicians / public "servants" pointing out their errors, etc. Basically, they had to reverse prices increases they'd foisted on the public, albeit only for a few weeks. Hold the filth to account if you want to stop them.

Re: Austerity gone too far? : Fri May 10, 2013 7:44 am  

From that Guardian article:

The problem with society, today, is not lack of money or debt but lack of ideas, lack of commitment by our government to realise that its constituents are the people

Someone should spray paint that in big fscking letters across the side of the Houses of Parliament. What a man.

Re: Austerity gone too far? : Fri May 10, 2013 10:59 am  

Diavolo Rosso wrote:

From that Guardian article:

The problem with society, today, is not lack of money or debt but lack of ideas, lack of commitment by our government and big business to realise that its constituents are the people

Someone should spray paint that in big fscking letters across the side of the Houses of Parliament. What a man.

A little addition and I'd agree 100%

Re: Austerity gone too far? : Fri May 10, 2013 2:11 pm  

Dally wrote:

The British public clearly do not think austerity has gone far enough. Appparently, per a poll reported this morning 72% of Tory voters think politicians are reckless in spending taxpayer money, 69% of Lib Dem voters and a whopping 79% of Labour voters. When asked the question differently, only 19% thought they spent money wisely.

In essence, Labour have nowhere to go on this issue as the Tories are in step with public opinion.

Which options would the public prefer: Spending budgets more wisely vs spending less money?

Re: Austerity gone too far? : Fri May 10, 2013 2:26 pm  

Lets face it, if the Tories had inherited full employment, good growth and no debt, they would still have gone along an ideological path of cutting spending and privatising as much as they could. They remind me of the Scorpion and the Frog story, they cannot help it, it's what they do.

Re: Austerity gone too far? : Fri May 10, 2013 8:37 pm  

Diavolo Rosso wrote:

From that Guardian article:

The problem with society, today, is not lack of money or debt but lack of ideas, lack of commitment by our government to realise that its constituents are the people

Someone should spray paint that in big fscking letters across the side of the Houses of Parliament. What a man.

I would amend that. The problem with society today is that everyone knows their rights and entitlements. Few know their responsibilities, commitments and duties.

Re: Austerity gone too far? : Fri May 10, 2013 8:52 pm  

The Video Ref wrote:

I would amend that. The problem with society today is that everyone knows their rights and entitlements. Few know their responsibilities, commitments and duties.

Bollox

I suppose that's why the vast majority of the population pay their taxes on-time and in full