BS: UK politics?

Subject: BS: UK politics?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 27 May 13 - 03:55 AM

As the death toll from Atos assessments on benefits rises, as the eviction from homes due to the bedroom tax accelerates, as access to justice is restricted, as workers rights and pay are restricted (the latest being the assault by Molson on employee pay and terms and conditions, close on the heels of the Green led Brighton council slashing the wages of its poorest workers), as Osbolleaux closes his eyes to economic devastation and ignores IMF blunt speaking about the need for reflation -

and while even the fluffy one seems to have had an outbreak of rationality -

why are there no UK politics threads?


Are we intimidated by kneejerk reactionaries, are we simply dispirited by intransigent and wilful stupidity and ignorance?

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: GUEST,Musket sans truth
Date: 27 May 13 - 07:09 AM

Look on the bright side. The more injustice around the more rich pickings for provincial solicitors.

The FTSE is up. Growth is up. Government debt is slowly being addressed.

Didn't vote for either of the buggers and some policies around health education and justice stagger belief but not quite sure that Balls would have the economy any better and Irritable Duncan Syndrome's welfare reforms are no different to what Labour were suggesting in their manifesto.

You vote. You get the government.

The alternative? Bridge wearing a beret and shouting power to the people! Snag is, when he says he represents them, he is referring to his hourly rate.

Think I'll get back to my pint and earnest discussion of the Headingly test match.

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: Will Fly
Date: 27 May 13 - 07:25 AM

What a stupid, personal and insulting response to a perfectly reasonable thread topic.

One of the reasons why posting these topics and responding is so little pursued. Why make it personal? Why not reply in a reasoned and logical manner, respecting the opinions of the OP - even if you disagree?

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 27 May 13 - 07:46 AM

Oh, Mither and I make it a point of principle not to agree - but he has just decreased his credibility by a large margin. And I suppose I should not say "Principle" as he has no principles and does not understand the word (at least, as the evidence runs).

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: GUEST,Allan Conn
Date: 27 May 13 - 08:50 AM

"why are there no UK politics threads?"

Likewise where are the protest singers and songs? Who is the Billy Brag for the 2010s? No doubt there may well be some out there but not as high profile as you'd maybe expect.

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 27 May 13 - 09:12 AM

Who is the Billy Brag for the 2010s?

Errrrr, Billy Bragg?

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: akenaton
Date: 27 May 13 - 09:35 AM

Reality is beginning to set in.

We are starting to understand that we are not going to make all the poor folks rich under this system and equality is only a word under this system and democracy does not exist...just like god.

But we are too afraid to do anything about it, lest we lose the tiny amount we have been allow to keep by our masters.

All the "liberal" policies which were the hope of the capitalist left have turned and bitten us on the arse.....there is nothing left to fix, unless you think fucking up the social system like we did the economic one is beneficial?

Nobody wants to talk about politics any more the left has failed to convince the people, from now on the road is going to get harder, rockier and steeper. Phoney human rights are down the tube, its every man for himself in this world of entitlement you have created.
Sink or swim...eh?

Billy Bragg....for fuck sake .....call him a socialist?
He's just another fucking "liberal"

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: GUEST,Musket sans body
Date: 27 May 13 - 09:51 AM

What a stupid take on a reasonable response to Bridge and his periodic rants.

Thought you were better than that Mr Fly.

Anyway, we should have made them follow on. Good maiden century mind, looks promising for the future.

Politics? Once armchair socialists stop confusing social justice with wistful nostalgia for a state that never existed, I might be interested in earnest debate. Till then, I shall accept that Bridge is looking far and wide for people who share his pessimism. S pity really because get him off his soap box and he can be an enjoyable debater.

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 27 May 13 - 11:20 AM

Life, Mither, is not a debate.

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: GUEST,Chongo Chimp
Date: 27 May 13 - 11:24 AM

Richard asks:

"Are we intimidated by kneejerk reactionaries, are we simply dispirited by intransigent and wilful stupidity and ignorance?"

Naw....there's a much simpler reason. We're bored with it.

- Chongo

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 May 13 - 12:01 PM

All the "liberal" policies which were the hope of the capitalist left have turned and bitten us on the arse.....there is nothing left to fix, unless you think fucking up the social system like we did the economic one is beneficial?

Watching the UK unravel is a painful thing to watch. It has its mirror activity in the US, on many levels. What Reagan and Thatcher started, the GOP over here and whoever is in power over there seem determined to finish. The end result they seek is an uneducated large lower and middle class who will continue to be swayed by slick campaigns to vote them into office and allow them to fill their pocketbooks with the proceeds of dismantling the social welfare system and the higher profits of companies because of lower wages and no benefits.

The US passed "health care reform" but you don't notice the insurance companies being forced out of the picture - they're in it to get as much profit as possible. That's because there would have been no "reform" of any sort of the GOP stockholders couldn't keep getting richer. And why no negotiations on the prices of drugs and services for many of our government health care service providers? Because the stakeholders in Congress (or their financial backers) still want to keep earning hefty profits and they aren't as hefty if the government can force reasonable charges for essential drugs and services.

It all starts with needing an informed public heading to the polls. But the schools have been gutted by legislators dictating the curriculum and textbooks - what a viscous circle.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 27 May 13 - 12:15 PM

The so called "bedroom tax" is not a tax at all, but merely an increase in (heavily subsidised) rent, which is charged for under-use of Council properties - quite reasonable it would seem to me.

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: GUEST,musket without sans
Date: 27 May 13 - 12:29 PM

So why the debate? If life isn't a debate what is it?

At the end of the day all you are doing is debating. The only way to change anything is by exercising your vote. A right wing devil take the hindmost government or a business friendly with obligatory flat cap.

Take yer choice.

In the meantime don't get excited over Will Fly defending you. He called your op reasonable for crying out loud. Dunno if he actually read it. ..

In defence of your thread all the same, I would say that with the Tories forming a circular firing squad and Labour wondering how to attract UKIP votes themselves rather than showing some statesmanship for once. ..

Did you know, 4000 votes nationally could swing a government in and 3000000 young voters don't know the core values of either party?

Like I said. Vote and enjoy the government. At least they argue over the least incompetent way of delivering social programmes which is slightly better than debating whether we have them or not.

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 27 May 13 - 01:13 PM

"The only way to change anything is by exercising your vote."

Trouble is that in many elections only about 25% of the electorate bother to vote - and I'm convinced that many of them vote on 'tribal' lines rather than policy ones.

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 27 May 13 - 02:14 PM

No. The current government has no intention of delivering any social programmes and is concerned only to eviscerate them for profit, nor any intention of general economic growth, only to enrich the rich. Enough is enough. It was enough long ago.

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 27 May 13 - 02:28 PM

If you are happy believing that then feel free to wallow in your negativity.

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 27 May 13 - 03:03 PM

How could there be any positive about conservatives? The country needs to be rid of them.

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: akenaton
Date: 27 May 13 - 03:30 PM

No Richard, Bonzo is right.
The Tories are doing all they can to keep the system alive, that means queezing the less well off and the underclass while handing out sweeties to the "captains of finance".....That is their purpose and they are serving it.

Labour's purpose is to protect public services and spread what is available in the economy over a wider base.
They fail miserably!.....They dont even try, when in power they adopt the policies required to keep themselves in power....They give us war and unregulated capitalism then pretend we are a liberal democracy.
They court the same capitalist media as the Conservatives....when was the last time you heard a Labour politician utter the word Socialism, other than as a term of derision?

All the issues that motivate the public are social issues....most people are heartily sick of politics and lying politicians.
How can you fail to recognise the rise of mr Farage's party....how do you explain it?   idiots? swivel eyed loonies? bigotted racists?
No just ordinary folk who know they are being fucked by the major parties and dont like how it feels

In todays papers financial commentators are softening us up they are admitting that the "good times" are gone for ever.

Some of us knew that the "good times" were a mirage....monopoly money; working in the building trade I could see what was happening more plainly than most.
It was the last throw of the dice.

Give it another three years and it will be obvious how ineffective the human rights act will have become.

Survival will be all that matters.....Marx was right!!!

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 27 May 13 - 04:04 PM

Nice to see, Ake, that you do indeed recognise UKIP. But nothing you have said rebuts my view of conservatives. Rather, you support it and then go on to say that Labour are just the same.

As usual you do not say what you want to see happen, and why it is good.

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 27 May 13 - 04:14 PM

""Are we intimidated by kneejerk reactionaries, are we simply dispirited by intransigent and wilful stupidity and ignorance?""

Perhaps some of us are simply sick to bloody death of being treated as subhuman for exercising our free choice as to who we elect to govern the country (or more accurately, disagreeing with the great God Bridge).

Frankly you are easier to ignore than to talk to. You have no respect for us so with all due respect, fuck off and talk to yourself.

Don T.

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 27 May 13 - 04:35 PM

"No. The current government has no intention of delivering any social programmes and is concerned only to eviscerate them for profit, nor any intention of general economic growth, only to enrich the rich. Enough is enough. It was enough long ago."

I agree with every word of that, Richard. We vote 'em in, they devote all of their efforts to helping the filthy richer get richer at the expense of the rest of us and the environment. Trouble is the Labour Party is not much better.

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 27 May 13 - 05:18 PM

Don, you are an idiot.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2013/may/27/public-money-covering-shortfall-private-finance-projects

Privatise the profit, nationalise the risk. Just one of many examples.

Yes, if you choose to prefer profit to welfare, then you are subhuman.

It is time you learned principle, but you are too busy tugging your forelock to capital to realise it.

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: GUEST,pete from seven stars link
Date: 27 May 13 - 05:46 PM

parliament is a bit like mudcat - more interested in scoring points off each other than discussing the problems.

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 27 May 13 - 05:52 PM

I offered. Your point, Xtofascist?

Meanwhile, the war on the poor continues: =


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10083049/Iain-Duncan-Smith-cut-welfare-to-fund-police-and-Forces.html

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 27 May 13 - 05:54 PM

Privatise the profit, nationalise the risk

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2013/may/27/public-money-covering-shortfall-private-finance-projects

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 27 May 13 - 05:56 PM

And the corrupt revolving door continues

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2013/may/27/deloitte-appoints-dave-hartnett-tax

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 27 May 13 - 06:02 PM

Black Horse, Black Rider


http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 27 May 13 - 06:04 PM

Death

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/linda-wootton-double-heart-lung-1912498

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: GUEST,Allan Conn
Date: 27 May 13 - 06:22 PM

"which is charged for under-use of Council properties - quite reasonable it would seem to me."

It is a bit of an attack on families as far a I can see. A single person in a three bedroom house gets no cut in benefit if they are 62 years old or older - but a family in a three bedroom house (with for instance 9 and 10 year old kids in seperate rooms) gets their benefit reduced).

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 27 May 13 - 09:18 PM

Allan. Most of us recognise the distasteful "principle of less eligibility" when we see it, so while I agree with your condemnation of the spare bedroom tax I don't find it necessary to do so from the angle that you do.

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 27 May 13 - 09:21 PM

http://skwalker1964.wordpress.com/2013/05/27/dwps-own-research-sanctions-damaging-counterproductive-so-it-does-more/

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 27 May 13 - 09:22 PM

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/benefits-crackdown-humiliates-disabled-army-war-veterans-8633610.html

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 27 May 13 - 09:25 PM

A comment on a bloke on another forum

"The three main political parties are now no more than, to quote George Galloway, three cheeks of the same backside (and very ugly it is too). And don't get me started on UKIP, who are little more than the BNP in smart suits."

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: GUEST,Musket sans respectability
Date: 28 May 13 - 01:23 AM

One of the problems here (and we have at least three examples above) is that even if you dare to agree with something Bridge states (under the infinite monkeys with typewriters rule) he is liable to admonish you for it.

It would seem that reading too many newspaper websites is harmful to your karma. ..

I never thought one nation tories could be so cynical.

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: GUEST,Allan Conn
Date: 28 May 13 - 02:04 AM

Fair dos Richard I take your point. If it looked like I only disagreed with it because it didn't affect older people then I didn't mean it to do so. It is an attack on the poor in general but I was pointing out that it is in particular an attack on poor families.

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 28 May 13 - 03:05 AM

Well if Mr Bridge has nothing better to do.......

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 28 May 13 - 03:06 AM

Some things NEVER change - To quote from a VERY old Monologue :-

'Its because of this 'ere Magna Carta ,
As was signed by the barons of old
That in England today you can say what you like
As long as you do what you're told

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 28 May 13 - 03:55 AM

Well, Bozo, at least I'm not a traitor propping up the Argentinian economy at every opportunity. Must dash, lots of work to do.

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: Penny S.
Date: 28 May 13 - 04:33 AM

I gather from the news yesterday that they are planning to undo the bit of Magna Carta about not selling justice with the suggestion of privatising the law courts. Is this possible? I thought it was a purview of the Crown.

In the case of Stobart v Little person who dared to carry their own goods, both the prosecution and defence are provided by Stobart?

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: bubblyrat
Date: 28 May 13 - 05:04 AM

Methinks I spy a misquote ; "Swivel-eyed Loonies " was , I believe , actually rendered as " Swivel-eyed Loons " . The use of this latter word was common in the reign of King Charles The First , who often resorted to it when comparing people to the eponymous Scottish bird , rather than Lunar disorientation.

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 28 May 13 - 05:15 AM

I have it vaguely in mind that loons (the bird) have a strange mating dance leading to the association of the bird with madness. Perhaps an ornithologist would like to add to this, or to correct it.

Meanwhile, the war on the poor continues -

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/onethird-of-britons-are-too-poor-to-join-in-with-society-8633584.html?fb_action_i


And meanwhile the truth about the alleged "recovery" - showing very clearly that Osbornomics isn't working - http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/revealed-the-true-size-of-the-british-jobs-gap-8633691.html?fb_action_ids=101516

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: Green Man
Date: 28 May 13 - 05:23 AM

It does not matter how you vote, the elected officials behave in the same way as our cat. One word from me and she did whatever she liked.

Elect an MP based on what he says to you, then, when he gets to parliament he votes as he is told to by the party. Pretty pointless isn't it.

Represent our interests? well all the evidence points otherwise.

I thought the purpose of the government was to care for the populace. Obviously I was misinformed.

Anyone who studies 'politics' is suspect. Anyone who wants power should be denied power.

Give the job to someone who doesn't want it. Oh and while we are at it convert one of the empty tower blocks into flats and give them to MP's who need a home in London. Make sure they pay for it too.

Take the cheats who steal our money and put them in jail. Embezzlement and fraud are still crimes aren't they?

As my dad used to say, Most of these folk are a waste of a skin. (meaning politicians in general.)

Have a nice day now....

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: akenaton
Date: 28 May 13 - 08:13 AM

Hi Bubbly...the point about loons had crossed my mind, but i dismissed it on account of their not being any more swivel eyed than your average mudcatter......especially UK mudcatters.....especially especially "liberal" UK mudcatters!

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: Stu
Date: 28 May 13 - 08:35 AM

"liberal"

This is just the wrong word ake. Surely you mean left of centre?

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: GUEST,Musket sans cookie
Date: 28 May 13 - 11:34 AM

No he doesn't. Trust me....

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: akenaton
Date: 28 May 13 - 01:13 PM

They're a bloody menace tae society.....so they ur! The trouble wi' "left of centre" is, you never know where the effin' centre is situated.

"liberals" is what they are and they are the problem. however thankfully,their time will not be long.

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 28 May 13 - 02:45 PM

Liars and cheats in government http://johnnyvoid.wordpress.com/2013/05/28/dwp-hides-behind-disability-charities-in-fake-youtube-campaign/


Hard-to-refute evidence that Irritable Duncan Syndrome's purpose is to harm not help claimants - http://mikesivier.wordpress.com/2013/05/28/why-did-the-dwp-push-ahead-with-illegal-sanctions-knowing-they-dont-do-any-good/


Even the justice system is for sale - http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/politics/article3776508.ece



Will no-one rid us of these arrogant posh boys?

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: GUEST,Musket sans respectability
Date: 28 May 13 - 03:02 PM

Get your referendum out of the way and we might be rid of doom and gloom haggis boys. . Snag is, the poor Scottish people get to keep you.

Oy... Irritable Duncan Syndrome was penned by a left wing comic who would be bemused by it being used by the likes of you.

Back to Bridge's op. Im far better at making snide comments and jumping down throats than sensible debate so if anybody wants to say what could replace democracy and western style government please say so. The sarcastic streak in me needs a good airing.

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 28 May 13 - 05:27 PM

Interesting how some who label themselves Labour or socialist get REALLY concerned about what is good for business when they make some money. And then even get that wrong.

Subject: RE: BS: UK politics?
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 28 May 13 - 06:36 PM

""Don, you are an idiot.""

Fun dishing it out, but being on the receiving end ain't so f**king nice is it?

So when the next election arrives, who will you vote for?

The genuine unabashed Conservatives, or the Conservatives who lie to you and claim to be socialist?

You are a complete political know nothing, if you think you will get any different treatment from Millipede and Co.

Which leaves you where exactly, you clown?

Don T.