If things get tougher?

katieowl_2

newlywed wrote: »

I love them chopped into 1 inch cubes (ish) with chopped red onion, chopped red pepper drizzled with olive oil and roasted - yum!

No smilies either

We have obviously turned into a SMILEY FREE ZONE.... think it was that damned machine??? (The Hadron Collider )

BTW I just imported that smiley from outside MSE to see if it worked?

Regards

Kate

mummysaver

Sweet potatoes are nice done as wedges and used in the same way as potato wedges, or done as a mix of the two. I sprinkle them with garlic powder, paprika, salt and oil. They are yummy! Thanks for the half price tip about Sainsbugs Elona :-) (since the normal smilies don't work at the mo!)

ceridwen

Gigervamp wrote: »

Very true. I remember back in the 70's when my dad went on strike (post office) I went on a march with him. There were thousands of post office workers on the march. Nowadays there are hardly any marches and yet people are so unhappy with things. Are we all suffering from collective apathy? Or is it that nowadays the culture is more selfish? Sort yourself out and don't worry about other people, they have to look after themselves.

Well...maybe back in those days we thought the "powers that be" would actually listen to us...this is supposed to be a democracy and all that. Nowadays I think many of us realise that said "powers that be" are much busier listening to Big Business and/or the American Government than to us -the poor voters that put them in power. Quite frankly I - for one - have come to the conclusion that "small" is most definitely "beautiful" and that we need to come together in groups and deal with things for ourselves.

love
ceridwen

(who could never be accused of being a cynic about Government - well, I'm not when I'm asleep - LOL!)

Gigervamp

Good point ceridwen.

ceridwen

BilberryCharlotte wrote: »

Can anyone remember when the utility companies were sold and why? What happened to the money from the sales too? It is really galling to think that people are paying high prices for fuel, some may even die this winter, while fuel companies are making massive profits. Why can`t these companies be run for the good of the country?

I think the answer to that one boils down to "selling off the family silver" - once realisation dawned that the country was basically going broke...buying us some time. Well - all the family silver has long since been sold - the cupboard is empty....NOW WHAT?:eek:

I guess one of the problems is that the rich arent taxed as heavily as they were - the second one mentions that maybe the tax on them should be raised the comment instantly comes back "they'd leave the country to avoid it" - errr....I dont know the facts on this...but did they leave before in droves when tax was higher on those on high incomes? I dont think it helps when they know there ARE some people exploiting the system - as they then feel perfectly justified in doing so if they want to.

It does have to be said that there are people out there having however many children they think they will - on the basis that the State (not the parent themself) will pay for them..:mad: and there are perfectly ablebodied people out there who think its okay to be "on the dole" for literally years because they dont fancy any of the jobs on offer :mad: . I have to say I have been on the dole myself - and turned down jobs that were antisocial hours or health hazards (as I do believe people are entitled to safe jobs and, if they choose to have them, standard-type working hours) - but I've put up with being bored out of my mind and underpaid (both at the same time) to have a job - and still do.

ceridwen

Penelope_Penguin wrote: »

It was under the Conservative Government of that lovely Margaret Thatcher :rolleyes: during the 1980s. All of you making voodoo dolls of the current PM and Chancellor, might like to make one of her too :rotfl:

Maybe we oiught to ask Mrs T to give us some of the reputed £1.5 million a year she earns from after dinner speaking.

Penny. x

...but then....I dont think its necessary to think like that....as the "chickens have come home to roost" anyways......after all those years of thinking "Darn woman - but I wish I had her brains" I am now thinking "...but at least I am still healthy and will remain so".

"karma" - thats the word I want. Believe me - I've seen it happen so often now - ie the "biter getting bit" that I just sit back and wait for it to happen.

ceridwen

johanne wrote: »

Totally agree.... we are actually only £100 a month better off in wages than a single parent is on benefits - for my partner to work 48 hours a week....and that £100 doesnt take the free school dinners or fuel allowences or any other "incentives" into account such as fees for courses etc.. which i want to do but the budget wont allow the £350... if i was a single mum however it would be free.

Im not digging at single mums either at all........ its not their fault our government penalises families.... :mad:

Hmmmm....but I do wish that people wouldnt deliberately set out to become single mothers. I am personally getting fed-up to the back teeth with women deciding totally on their own that they will have a child regardless. Blow what any man involved thinks. Blow the interests of the child....I WANT -- so I MUST HAVE:mad: . It infuriates me that they are thinking first, foremost and last only of themselves...I want a child...its my right to have a child...so they do...and then try and "land" the bill on the doorstep of the man involved (whether he agreed to father a child or no!) and/or the rest of us (in State benefits).

I totally see that sometimes death and divorce happen "after the event". Life happens...most women sit down with their husband/partner and plan the birth of a child...but then divorce or death can sometimes come along subsequently and spoils those plans. Those things happen...life happens...and no blame attaches to anyone. BUT....I absolutely do not think that anyone should sit down all on their own and plan to have a child all on their own and then expect the man concerned and/or the rest of us to pay for it. I also feel so sorry for the child concerned....I do feel very strongly indeed that a child needs and deserves a loving, involved father. I have had this myself...and still do (at my advanced age!:D ) and I feel it is extremely important to at least start out with two loving/willing parents to bring up/pay for a child...life might happen subsequently to spoil our plans...but at least the child got two proper parents to start with. Even now...I absolutely know my father is "on my side" - even when he doesnt agree with me.

ceridwen

Its okay Penny Penguin - no need to take a good thread over to "Discussion Time" - think we've had our "rant" for the day.....:D

Valli

A valid point well made Ceridwen and I write as a single mother - but my kids were planned, with exH and I did not plan or intend to become a single mother.

Pitlanepiglet

johanne wrote: »

Yeah...and so can my 19 week old because her daddy works :rolleyes: :mad:





:T :T :T

Totally agree.... we are actually only £100 a month better off in wages than a single parent is on benefits - for my partner to work 48 hours a week....and that £100 doesnt take the free school dinners or fuel allowences or any other "incentives" into account such as fees for courses etc.. which i want to do but the budget wont allow the £350... if i was a single mum however it would be free.

Im not digging at single mums either at all........ its not their fault our government penalises families.... :mad:

Actually you ought to try being a couple with NO children and see what you get then...tax credits? errr no...they are for families.

When DH was made redundant and I wasn't earning enough to pay the rent we'd have been a damn sight better off me producing kids and giving up work!