A social revolution?

treliac

c4r105 wrote: »

Good times come and go, as do the bad times, nothing fundamental will change.

Very true, evolution continues through it's varied cycles. Humans do adapt when they have to.

Originally Posted by mvengemvenge :-
I'm becoming more and more fearful that where we are heading is a place where there are lots and lots of robberies, muggings, thefts as people become desperate for things they can no longer get loans to buy.

Don't think people suddenly, on becoming unemployed, will change their intrinsic values and attitudes to others; and those already on benefits won't feel a change.

Pobby

Some loverly posts there regarding times gone by. It`s funny really. I have spent my life in an industry known for it`s egotists. I have had new cars, company ones, travelled a lot of the world working. I am older now and really getting a dislike for" things". Starting to see the real things that are important.

For the first time in my life I could buy a new, top of the range sports car without a loan. The very thought of it almosts makes me sick. Yet so many hock themselves to the bank just to do that. My car. worth about £1,000 is still very smart, comfortable and for it`s size economical. I would rather have the cash to one side, that way it purchases something else. A degree of security.

I look on dfw and see all those folk with massive debts. Some poor beggers have got there from misfortune but some through sheer stupidity

Will lessons be learned. I have to say that this is the first time I recall when people have had so much debt.

mvengemvenge

treliac wrote: »

Don't think people suddenly, on becoming unemployed, will change their intrinsic values and attitudes to others; and those already on benefits won't feel a change.

I sincerely hope you're right, my friend. Maybe in 12-18 months, we should come back and visit this thread and see which way it went?

whathavewedone

I agree with Treliac. We are very lucky in this country that we have a safety net in the form of the welfare state to catch us when things go wrong. Yes some people abuse it but in these times I think the majority of people who have always worked for a living will be very grateful for that safety net and will adapt until such time that they can get back on their feet. That is how I would feel if the worst came to worst.

Things are not looking good but things are a great deal worse in other parts of the world and we should perhaps remember that. We're going into a recession, it's not the end of the world.

Human beings are adaptable. Consequently I stand by my earlier post. The fact that people are now putting equity into their homes rather than taking it out and not spending shows that already a lot of people accept that the party's over. Next people will go into survival mode and do what they can to save their homes and put food on the table.

Eventually things will pick up and people will enjoy having some luxuries again without having to worry.

hethmar

We are the same pobby - OH could have a flash sports car now if he wanted but he says "what for?, so I can wash it every sunday and worry about it getting scratched?". We MAY buy a few year old VW Golf in the spring - just so we can get around in a bit more comfort that the old jallopy we have now but we dont want anything too OTT, the dogs will probably be sick over it anyway

StevieJ

c4r105 wrote: »

I bet your all listening to New World Symphony, it was so much better in the good old days. Good times come and go, as do the bad times, nothing fundamental will change.

How confusing, New World Symphony about the old days and the lad on the bike really is nearly 50 now :eek:

hethmar

is that so? I liked the montage they put on through the decades recently.

mvengemvenge

whathavewedone wrote: »

I agree with Treliac. We are very lucky in this country that we have a safety net in the form of the welfare state to catch us when things go wrong. Yes some people abuse it but in these times I think the majority of people who have always worked for a living will be very grateful for that safety net and will adapt until such time that they can get back on their feet. That is how I would feel if the worst came to worst.

I understand your feelings, but can you conceive of a situation where the government literally cannot afford the safety net? Where they have to reduce benefits so that there is enough to go around? If enough people lose their jobs, where is the tax going to come from to pay for the welfare state, the NHS? You can print money and watch inflation go through the roof like Zimbabwe, or you can sell guilts and bonds to fund the government. Problem is, countries who have previously bought these are losing the appetite, as we are starting to look like the Pound Shop of the west.

So where does the money come from?

It's a simple enough question.

StevieJ

Depends if the Tories are elected or not, what a great excuse for reverting to type :eek:

whathavewedone

I don't share your pessimistic view I guess. A lot of people will keep their jobs. I've got an interview next week even though I've been out of the job market for a couple of years bringing up my children. No it's not a pound shop, it's a job with a really good local firm of solicitors. I might not get it but the fact is even in this market people are still recruiting.

Yes a lot of people will lose their jobs too but I doubt it will be enough to mean the scrapping of the welfare state. A bit of tightening up maybe (and that would be a good thing in my opinion) but not enough to cause a revolution.

Not everyone is in retail or financial services.

And I don't think we will end up like Zimbabwe either. I do hope we get a change of government in 2010 though.