|
|
Topic Originator: Wotsit
Date: Wed 19 Jan 20:45
...yet my tax money goes to buy fox fur toilet seats for a fully capable woman who doesn`t know how to dress herself and only got her job because her uncle was a Nazi.
Is anybody willing to try to justify that?
The enemy travels by private jet, not by dinghy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Topic Originator: donj
Date: Wed 19 Jan 22:43
Don`t really understand mate but I feel sorry for the whole state this country has got into.I came up in hard times in the 60`s and I never saw such a thing as a foodbank.How in gods name we have evolved to this I will never understand.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Topic Originator: jake89
Date: Thu 20 Jan 08:54
But people will still vote Tory because the media portrays people on benefits as scroungers. I`m sure there are some who are totally at it but some are desperate.
I genuinely can`t understand how the government can intervene around a licence fee of £150 but can`t do anything about energy prices that could be 10x that price for the average home. You can go without live TV, you can`t go without gas/electricity to heat your home and cook your food.
My concern with the likes of food banks is that they mask the issue. The media make out like they`re free supermarkets. I still remember being in my local library with my wee boy when a family came in looking to use the food bank. They shuffled in looking embarrassed and ashamed as they were guided through to the room the food bank was in.
Of course, the biggest irony with society is that people moan about benefits scroungers but justify our PM (allegedly) misspending funds on new decor because "Well the PM should have a nice house". Why should he? He`s just a guy we said should look after the country for us. He`s the country`s Jannie.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Topic Originator: Wotsit
Date: Thu 20 Jan 09:36
Jannies are useful, hard working people dedicated to keeping others safe. It`s unfair to disparage them like that!
It comes down to power at the end of the day. People in poverty have none whilst people who can donate millions to the Tory Party have vast amounts which they use selfishly.
My clients don`t vote because nobody represents their situation. Their situation can`t be represented in our politics because our politics is based on wealth and wealth alone.
There used to be a political party in this country which represented working people and those with extremely limited resources via the Trades Unions system, whereby people would associate together to collectively represent their shared interests. But it turns out that poor people aren`t allowed to do that, free association and collective action are not for the poor so we dismantled the unions at the same time is giving those "unions" which represented capitalist interests (such as the Bank of England and the CBI) far greater freedom. And we wonder why the wealth gap is increasing.
The enemy travels by private jet, not by dinghy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Topic Originator: desparado
Date: Mon 31 Jan 17:34
If we are not independent in a couple of years Max, Scotland is completely and utterly fooked…. So sad that we had one opportunity, May have another and if we don’t take it….it’s over. An English council estate is basically what we will become.
Aided and abetted by those who have no faith in the ability of their own country men and women to make a better fist of things than that incompetent, corrupt cabal in WM.
It’s frightening to think that there are still around 50% in Scotland who think that is the best option for us……..whaaat ?
What an opportunity we missed in 2014.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Topic Originator: JTH123
Date: Mon 31 Jan 17:59
I don`t necessarily disagree with you but the onus is on the SNP to make a much more compelling case than last time.
I understand that Project Fear won but Nicola`s bunch need to do better.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Topic Originator: desparado
Date: Mon 31 Jan 18:53
Not really because what you say is actually impossible.
Whatever case the Scot Gov, SNP, Greens, Alba put forward it will be rubbished by the Unionist parties and the media.
At least there was a White paper in 2014 and there will be something similar soon. It’s a mistake. No country in the world that gained its independence ever had to make an economic case for it…it’s impossible, conversely it is impossible to make an economic case for staying in the Union.
You either want your country to be a normal independent country, where the decisions are made in Scotland by people who live here or you do not. You would rather have a bunch of expensively educated idiot British nationals deciding what’s good for us.
All other countries that achieved independence from Britain will just look and shake their heads in disbelief if we refuse it again. An international embarrassment.
Normal and independent or abnormal and dependent , that’s the choice and no amount of arguing about economics will ever change it.
What an opportunity we missed in 2014.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Topic Originator: wee eck
Date: Mon 31 Jan 19:18
I`d like to hear the case for the union next time. It seems to be assumed that there is no cost to Scotland of being part of the UK but when one nation is over 10 times the size of the next biggest by population that is never going to be the case.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Topic Originator: hurricane_jimmy
Date: Wed 9 Feb 15:13
Have to agree that the model put forward last time was weak and unimaginative. They should have also been highlighting the failures of the UK more - play project fear at their own game.
Take for example investing just £1Bn in a sovereign wealth fund from oil back in 1980 - fire that figure into a compound interest calculator with even a modest growth rate of 10% per year and see the figure you get after 42 years. Actually sickening. But of course, the supposedly financially prudent Brits think it`s better to pay pensions straight out of tax rather than having an investment pot. Vast difference when you think that Norway owns 1% of Apple, eh? 😂
|
|
|
|
|
|
Topic Originator: jake89
Date: Sat 12 Feb 07:32
Presumably we benefit from having free access to the UK market though I`m always curious about the amount of importing into England from Scotland. How much of that trade actually sees England as a go between?
There are definite benefits to the union and people need to forget about petty grievances caused predominantly by people in the south.
I think most people in Scotland are angry about the same things as people in Newcastle, Blackpool, Leeds etc.:
- Decisions made to suit the south of England
- More investment in the South than anywhere else
- Centralisation to London
- Stereotyping of anywhere outside the south as being backwards
What we see in the UK media are distractions to prevent people in the North of England truly appreciating just how much they are screwed, especially by the Tories. It`s the same as how the media do programmes about people on benefits but never do programmes where they ask wealthy people how they became/remain wealthy. So people get riled up about Jenny in Bolton who hasn`t worked in 10 years due to a bad back and has cost the taxpayer £200pw but never hear about Anthony from Surrey who got a £20m dividend as a result of his company getting a massive government contract as a result of him being a Tory donor. Even when it`s reported it`s forgotten about quickly as the focus is put on free prescriptions in Scotland (that YOU don`t get!) or Mark Drakeford demanding more money for those ungrateful Welsh.
The UK could and should work, but there has been an unfair disadvantage for people living outside the wealthy south for hundreds of years.
Post Edited (Sat 12 Feb 07:33)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Topic Originator: Wotsit
Date: Sat 12 Feb 08:16
The Tories` biggest victory in the 20th century was to convince the poor that class war is a myth, whilst simultaneously fighting said war with increasing vigour.
The enemy travels by private jet, not by dinghy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Topic Originator: hurricane_jimmy
Date: Sat 12 Feb 14:44
Jake, the UK will never work because it`s an enforced multi-nation state. The Ottoman Empire, Austr-Hungarian Empire and the USSR to name but a few were all the same and began to slowly crumble when power was decentralised. The UK is already on that path and you now have a generation of Scots who have grown up with governance from Edinburgh and this will continue to be the case for coming generations. The UK`s death is now inevitable and the only question is when.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Topic Originator: sammer
Date: Sat 12 Feb 17:22
‘’The Tories` biggest victory in the 20th century was to convince the poor that class war is a myth, whilst simultaneously fighting said war with increasing vigour.’’
The Tories are not alone in adopting this position. The Labour Party does not believe in Socialism and the Communist Party has ceased to be revolutionary. When you hear talk about ‘hard working families’ instead of the snappier phrase ‘working class’ or ‘workers’ then you know who you are dealing with.
The Tories have been able to convince enough of the electorate that they are middle class which makes sense for them. The Labour Party should be able to explain to all those who require to sell their labour for a living that they are workers but shy away from this truth.
sammer
|
|
|
|
|
|
Topic Originator: jake89
Date: Fri 22 Apr 21:55
This is the issue. People earning £30-40k thinking the Tories represent them and have their interests at heart. Wonder what they`ll think when they`re a few quid short in their paypackets this month?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Topic Originator: pacifist
Date: Sat 18 Jun 17:20
Consider 2014. If the voters could have seen the future with Scotland hauled out the EU despite voting yes. And having Boris Johnstone as Prime Minister, we would be Independent today.
But these things seemed ridiculous back then.
The question is - what are the tories capable of doing next?
The Westminster Government is saddled with an enormous debt. They can`t reduce that without hurting someone - we know who it won`t be. They are having to increase interest rates to try to control inflation but aren`t coming close.
Scotland needs out of this union asap. I`ve heard the argument that the share of the debt an independent Scotland would have to take would be unaffordable.
No, that`s a matter for negotiation.
The argument that the bigger the shambles Westminster makes of the economy is a reason for Scotland not leaving is false. That`s exactly the reason we should be leaving - because it`s going to get a lot worse.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Topic Originator: dafc
Date: Mon 20 Jun 21:42
Can’t wait for the separatists arguments of big bad Westminster and how it’s all rosy here. Failures to meet election manifesto promises in education time and time again, NHS Scotland failing and heading same way as England by employing privatised care in some areas.
Interest rates set by BOE and appear to be rising very similar to other countries, hopefully we won’t go up as much as countries like Norway.
Remember interests rates have been low for a generation and are still though, albeit likely to increase.
There won’t be any legal independence vote that much appears to be very clear.
SNP have got themselves into a huge debt hole with their freebies and giveaways for votes, something the taxpayer of Scotland will be footing the bill for years to come.
Right away hopefully they are 300,000 plus down on how they are treating local government workers due to strike over the summer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Topic Originator: jake89
Date: Mon 20 Jun 22:07
Quote:
dafc, Mon 20 Jun 21:42
Can’t wait for the separatists arguments of big bad Westminster and how it’s all rosy here. Failures to meet election manifesto promises in education time and time again, NHS Scotland failing and heading same way as England by employing privatised care in some areas.
Interest rates set by BOE and appear to be rising very similar to other countries, hopefully we won’t go up as much as countries like Norway.
Remember interests rates have been low for a generation and are still though, albeit likely to increase.
There won’t be any legal independence vote that much appears to be very clear.
SNP have got themselves into a huge debt hole with their freebies and giveaways for votes, something the taxpayer of Scotland will be footing the bill for years to come.
Right away hopefully they are 300,000 plus down on how they are treating local government workers due to strike over the summer.
I`m no fan of the SNP, but that`s largely nonsense.
Agree on Education. Total mess. Chuck curriculum for excellence in the bin.
NHS Scotland still the best performing.
Legal or not is largely irrelevant.
SNP, nor any ruling party in Scotland, can`t be in debt.
Local Government strikes are UK-wide.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Topic Originator: wee eck
Date: Mon 20 Jun 22:19
It`s astonishing that, after over 20 years of devolution, some people still don`t know that the SG can`t borrow and has to balance income and expenditure.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Topic Originator: parsfan
Date: Mon 20 Jun 23:38
Quote:
dafc, Mon 20 Jun 21:42
Remember interests rates have been low for a generation and are still though, albeit likely to increase.
Since about 2009 (0.5%) or 2008 (2%) at a push.
Just in case anyone was wondering how long a generation is.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The universe is ruled by chance and indifference
|
|
|
|
|
|
Topic Originator: desparado
Date: Tue 21 Jun 09:43
Topic Originator: dafc
Date: Mon 20 Jun 21:42
Can’t wait for the separatists arguments of big bad Westminster and how it’s all rosy here. Failures to meet election manifesto promises in education time and time again, NHS Scotland failing and heading same way as England by employing privatised care in some areas.
Interest rates set by BOE and appear to be rising very similar to other countries, hopefully we won’t go up as much as countries like Norway.
Remember interests rates have been low for a generation and are still though, albeit likely to increase.
There won’t be any legal independence vote that much appears to be very clear.
SNP have got themselves into a huge debt hole with their freebies and giveaways for votes, something the taxpayer of Scotland will be footing the bill for years to come.
Right away hopefully they are 300,000 plus down on how they are treating local government workers due to strike over the summer.
Separatists ?
Your whole post is drivel as per usual. Bitter twisted angry untruthful exaggerated Brit Nat nonsense.
The biggest debt hole ever inflicted on Scotland will be Brexit and PFI ( 30 BILLION estimated. )
Both inflicted on Scotland by incompetent fiscally inept Unionist parties that you still hope and pray will deliver for Scotland.....
We have two choices.
1 Sit back twiddle our thumbs and hope that things in the UK will get better and that Scotland`s democratically elected representatives at WM and Scottish voters will be respected and listened to - nae chance I would suggest.
2. Leave the Union and make decisions for ourselves, decide who governs us, manage our own abundant natural resources ,decide our own immigration policies, decide on our own relationship with EU ,etc etc.... and trust the ability of our own people, the people who live and work here in Scotland to make the right decisions for the people of Scotland , instead of leaving the vast majority of those decisions in the hands of others.
Its not a novel idea .Its called independence and has been achieved by more than 140 countries since 1945. None of them needed a section 30 order or needed legal approval first..
If we don`t go down the 2nd route then Scotland is finished and will be absorbed into greater Englandshire. .....the process is in the making already..
Folk like dafc will be delighted............I personally will be utterly ashamed of my fellow country men who allowed it to happen.
What an opportunity we missed in 2014.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Topic Originator: jake89
Date: Tue 21 Jun 09:45
As much as I`d be loathe to admit it, higher interest rates would probably help in the long run. These low rates have been lovely, but all they`ve done is push house prices up way above inflation levels. This country needs to stop obsessing over property price rises as if they`re a good thing - they`re not!
Any inheritance we get from our parents will go straight to our kids to help them actually buy a place. We have that luxury, many won`t.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Topic Originator: Tenruh
Date: Fri 24 Jun 09:55
https://www.barrheadboy.com/the-worm-might-finally-be-turning/[\url]
Not long now, wait till folk are hungry and it`s going to kick off big time
|
|
|
|
|
|
Topic Originator: red-star-par
Date: Fri 24 Jun 21:22
Quote:
Tenruh, Fri 24 Jun 09:55
https://www.barrheadboy.com/the-worm-might-finally-be-turning/
Not long now, wait till folk are hungry and it`s going to kick off big time
Good article, as much as I hope it will, I can`t see much kicking off here. Folk in the UK are too lazy and stupid in general to do anything about their lot. As long as the have a shiny new phone, big telly and enough money to get Just Eat they will do nowt. The establishment have just got a way with theft on a massive scale, we should be outside their homes
|
|
|
|
|
|
Topic Originator: Wotsit
Date: Sat 25 Jun 10:54
The pressure on food banks now is huge. They are under greater pressure from far more people looking for food parcels, whilst simultaneously dealing with hugely reduced food donations.
Oh, and another of my clients has died young (48) since I started this thread, although that`s part of a longer pattern. I don`t know why, but Scotland has always been terrible at guiding people away from high risk drug use.
The enemy travels by private jet, not by dinghy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
