The Politics Thread

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

Whilst of course bearing in mind the related question of whether or not cutting spending of one pound will lead to consequences which cost more than one pound to fix.

Well yes, that's a good indicator when deciding allocation of cuts, but if you can't afford something, you can't afford something.

I know people don't like the right wing habit of equating national spending with people's domestic budgeting, but if my car develops a fault that will cost £500 to fix now, it actually has little bearing on whether I can afford that £500 now if the problem could develop into something costing £3k to fix, if left alone.

[thebish]

Whilst of course bearing in mind the related question of whether or not cutting spending of one pound will lead to consequences which cost more than one pound to fix.

Well yes, that's a good indicator when deciding allocation of cuts, but if you can't afford something, you can't afford something.

I know people don't like the right wing habit of equating national spending with people's domestic budgeting, but if my car develops a fault that will cost £500 to fix now, it actually has little bearing on whether I can afford that £500 now if the problem could develop into something costing £3k to fix, if left alone.

and there's a good reason for that!

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

and there's a good reason for that!

Sure there is. But it's not as irritating as the left's habit of thinking governments can just print money and that never-ending 'stimulus' is the only thing that's morally responsible.

[thebish]

and there's a good reason for that!

Sure there is. But it's not as irritating as the left's habit of thinking governments can just print money and that never-ending 'stimulus' is the only thing that's morally responsible.

oh - I think you'll find it is!!

[The Axman]

Sorry to interrupt. Breaking News... Tories v Argentina war breaks out again. Once again a struggling Tory PM annoys the feck out of the belligerent Argies and prepares to launch an overseas war to distract the Great Unwashed from their domestic woes. (Oh no, not again, been there done that! and to think this time we've got no aircraft carrier - bad timing Dave)

[thebish]

Sorry to interrupt. Breaking News... Tories v Argentina war breaks out again. Once again a struggling Tory PM annoys the feck out of the belligerent Argies and prepares to launch an overseas war to distract the Great Unwashed from their domestic woes. (Oh no, not again, been there done that! and to think this time we've got no aircraft carrier - bad timing Dave)

this has been rumbling for a while...

most experts don't expect another war - but DO expect an increasing number of shipping disputes - squid-fishing-wars - etc..

all of our key previous allies are NOT interested in getting involved again - and the UK Gov had to decide how much fuss to make over the impending 30th anniversary of the conflict so as to keep Tory backbenchers quiet and not to piss off the argies...

[The Axman]

Aye but we've apparently stirred the hornet's proverbial by accusing the Argies of having... (wait for it)












... colonial ambitions!!!!!!!

[thebish]

Aye but we've apparently stirred the hornet's proverbial by accusing the Argies of having... (wait for it)

... colonial ambitions!!!!!!!

I know - I swallowed a "guffaw" when I heard that yesterday!

not to do with oil then!

[Bruce Rioja]

but DO expect an increasing number of shipping disputes - squid-fishing-wars - etc..

I understand that it's already started and that there are already various Argie ports that won't let fishing vessels registered to the Falklands land their catches there. Fair enough, let the 4uckers live on Fray Bentos

[Hoboh]

Just let it be known we have a sub in the south Atlantic, that should cool the Argies some what!

[thebish]

[Bruce Rioja]

I remember when there was that march through Manchester about lowering the age of gay consent to 16. Didn't see many 16 year olds on it!

[Wandering Willy]

I remember when there was that march through Manchester about lowering the age of gay consent to 16. Didn't see many 16 year olds on it!

You seem remarkably well informed about said event.

[thebish]

I remember when there was that march through Manchester about lowering the age of gay consent to 16. Didn't see many 16 year olds on it!

You seem remarkably well informed about said event.

he was clearly looking for some...

[Bruce Rioja]

It was on the regional news :p

[Lord Kangana]

Anyway, this welfare reform malarky. I don't particularly have a problem with a cap, some caveats or whatever to how much you get, but I find it dificult to take seriously when the same Government has thrown its hands up and said it couldn't stop bonuses being paid to a bank owned by, and massively in hock to, the taxpayer.

[Porrohman]

Just let it be known we have a subway in the south Atlantic, that should cool the Argies some what!

Fixed it for you.
We have no navy now.

[Hoboh]

Six Trafalgar-class nuclear submarines are currently in service + one Astute class and four trident Vangard class subs.

The US has 53 and approx 18 nuke lauchers!

By eck a few off the b*ggers have run into each other including some of ours!

[William the White]

Anyway, this welfare reform malarky. I don't particularly have a problem with a cap, some caveats or whatever to how much you get, but I find it dificult to take seriously when the same Government has thrown its hands up and said it couldn't stop bonuses being paid to a bank owned by, and massively in hock to, the taxpayer.

It really is - at heart - that simple... Living with the Tories involves shit under the fingernails it is difficult to cope with...

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

Anyway, this welfare reform malarky. I don't particularly have a problem with a cap, some caveats or whatever to how much you get, but I find it dificult to take seriously when the same Government has thrown its hands up and said it couldn't stop bonuses being paid to a bank owned by, and massively in hock to, the taxpayer.

It really is - at heart - that simple... Living with the Tories involves shit under the fingernails it is difficult to cope with...

I actually don't really understand the issue in enough detail to be sure, but aren't the powers of the current government largely informed by the contracts entered into by the last one?

And I don't know enough about the mobility of bankers at the moment to know whether paying bonuses is strictly necessary to stay competitive (which is what we want if we own the thing, after all), but do either of you understand it well enough to say for certain that we don't?