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Globalisation v Parochialism

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Comments

  • TruckerT
    TruckerT Posts: 1,714 Forumite
    CLAPTON wrote: »
    It's good that we all agree that the benefit culture must be ended and the sooner the better.

    I'm fine with that so long as we also end the casino culture which is enjoyed by the rich at the expense of the poor.

    TruckerT
    According to Clapton, I am a totally ignorant idiot.
  • CLAPTON
    CLAPTON Posts: 41,865 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    TruckerT wrote: »
    I'm fine with that so long as we also end the casino culture which is enjoyed by the rich at the expense of the poor.

    TruckerT


    I don't know what a casino culture is; I always think of bingo as being a poorer persons interest.
  • grizzly1911
    grizzly1911 Posts: 9,965 Forumite
    CLAPTON wrote: »
    decline?

    we are the richest we have ever been

    people flock to the UK because it is the land of opportunity and prosperity (and the benefits system too of course)

    Some people are indeed the richest they have ever been.

    Living standards are falling for many as are opportunities.

    People flock her because it is less dreadful and relatively better paid.
    "If you act like an illiterate man, your learning will never stop... Being uneducated, you have no fear of the future.".....

    "big business is parasitic, like a mosquito, whereas I prefer the lighter touch, like that of a butterfly. "A butterfly can suck honey from the flower without damaging it," "Arunachalam Muruganantham
  • CLAPTON
    CLAPTON Posts: 41,865 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Some people are indeed the richest they have ever been.

    Living standards are falling for many as are opportunities.

    People flock her because it is less dreadful and relatively better paid.


    most people are richer than they have ever been
    more people are richer now than they were 10 years ago


    and no, it isn't 'less dreadful'; its more wonderful.

    we have a wonderful country and most people that want to and are willing to work can achieve a happy and worth while life here.
  • grizzly1911
    grizzly1911 Posts: 9,965 Forumite
    wotsthat wrote: »
    ...and the 'skint' get more in pension credits, housing benefits, heating allowances and free bus travel than a truck driver working 40 hours per week and probably more than their grandparents could dream of no matter how much graft they put in.

    They only get those benefits, at that magnitude because the costs have been driven up. Something tells me that governments wouldn't shell out money without need. (I accept they do all make regular stupid decisions that affect minorities). Perhaps "net skint" would be a better term.

    If those total more than a someone can earn in 40 hours doing an honest job then the system is broken. But Clapton tells us we are a rich country so how can that be?. It is not entirely the fault of the recipients.(Again I do accept a small minority may be wholly at fault.)

    We could of course completely change policy and simply slash those benefits by say 50% across the board. But again we are rich country (apparently)why should that be necessary.?
    "If you act like an illiterate man, your learning will never stop... Being uneducated, you have no fear of the future.".....

    "big business is parasitic, like a mosquito, whereas I prefer the lighter touch, like that of a butterfly. "A butterfly can suck honey from the flower without damaging it," "Arunachalam Muruganantham
  • wotsthat
    wotsthat Posts: 11,325 Forumite
    They only get those benefits, at that magnitude because the costs have been driven up. Something tells me that governments wouldn't shell out money without need. (I accept they do all make regular stupid decisions that affect minorities). Perhaps "net skint" would be a better term.

    They get those benefits because we can afford to pay them.

    The cost of living in Maoist China was tiny but millions still starved. How come?
  • grizzly1911
    grizzly1911 Posts: 9,965 Forumite
    wotsthat wrote: »
    They get those benefits because we can afford to pay them.

    The cost of living in Maoist China was tiny but millions still starved. How come?

    I thought we couldn't afford to pay those benefits or is the deficit and debt inconsequential now? Jeez that went down quickly.

    Wasn't China something to do with a failed agricultural policy, amongst many other things.
    "If you act like an illiterate man, your learning will never stop... Being uneducated, you have no fear of the future.".....

    "big business is parasitic, like a mosquito, whereas I prefer the lighter touch, like that of a butterfly. "A butterfly can suck honey from the flower without damaging it," "Arunachalam Muruganantham
  • wotsthat
    wotsthat Posts: 11,325 Forumite
    I thought we couldn't afford to pay those benefits or is the deficit and debt inconsequential now? Jeez that went down quickly.

    It's more unbelievable than that. People will lend the UK government money to invest badly and give to unproductive members of society. All they ask is a negative real return.
    Wasn't China something to do with a failed agricultural policy, amongst many other things.

    No just communism.
  • TruckerT
    TruckerT Posts: 1,714 Forumite
    wotsthat wrote: »
    The cost of living in Maoist China was tiny but millions still starved. How come?

    According to Thrugelmir, millions are still starving - how come?

    TruckerT
    According to Clapton, I am a totally ignorant idiot.
  • John_Pierpoint
    John_Pierpoint Posts: 8,401 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    edited 22 May 2013 at 3:40AM
    TruckerT wrote: »
    I am 64 and skint. I receive more in pension credits, housing benefit, heating allowances and free bus travel than I would be able to earn from a 40-hour week as a truck driver.

    Is this the upside of capitalism, or is it the downside? How long can it continue?

    TruckerT

    Self employed truck driver?
    "Skint" aged 64 but with a disabled wife and 10 kids?

    Seriously I think someone who was over 55 and a single redundant male, would a whole lot better off driving a truck, than signing on every fortnight.

    Mind you I did have reason to visit a warehouse that had had problems "restructuring" its labour force and their terms and conditions.
    The "new deal" was on the notice board and I was surprised to see that the fork lift drivers were getting a higher rate than the Trans-European 40 tonne truck drivers.

    I suppose it must be supply and demand.

    If I was qualified I know which job I would rather be doing.
    CLAPTON wrote: »
    decline?

    we are the richest we have ever been

    people flock to the UK because it is the land of opportunity and prosperity (and the benefits system too of course)

    It depends who you thing "we" are.

    I am glad I have not been a college graduate, learning that the world does not owe us a living.

    There was some survey in the media about a week ago - In the last half a dozen years, as the world realised we are running out of money and oil, showing that our standard of living used to be No 5 and is now No 12 in the list.
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