Britain 2023 - A Leviathan Cowed

purch

Delara wrote: »

In about 10 years there will be a new international monetary system.

Yes, because we have a new one every 40 years, or so the mantra of the dimwits says

Moby

Generali wrote: »

I think we are seeing the end of Socialism or at least a rapid shrinking of Government.

The promises made can't be paid and ultimately if something is unsustainable it can't be sustained.

Taxation is reaching its limits and the people paying the bills are getting fed up with the demands placed on them. The top 10% pay the taxes that pay the welfare cheques. If they won't pay then the system falls down.

I'm not paying for a link to a Murdoch website. Ill take your word for it. Actually I think we are seeing a lot more than the death of socialism - politics moves in waves anyway- this is more significant when you read it. Its hard to contradict him and that makes every other prediction small beer and you don't have to pay Murdoch to read it!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/jun/30/population-growth-wipe-out-life-earth

Moby

Radio 4 now

Delara

lvader wrote: »

Yes, what we really need to something far more volatile than real currencies.

Its only fiat currencies that are volatile. If you measure things with things they always go from over valued to undervalued and back again.

Measure stuff in fiat currencies and they look very volatile but its just showing the volatility of the currencies all racing each other to the bottom.

Mr._Pricklepants

Delara wrote: »

Its only fiat currencies that are volatile. If you measure things with things they always go from over valued to undervalued and back again.

Measure stuff in fiat currencies and they look very volatile but its just showing the volatility of the currencies all racing each other to the bottom.

Sigh. Another one rooting for the collapse of fiat currency, hoping their debts will somehow be wiped out.

Delara wrote: »

I have been advised by a debt charity to apply for a Debt Relief Order. My debts are just above £15000 so I know some of them will not be included. But if £15000 of debt is relieved it would be so fantastic.

Generali

Moby wrote: »

I'm not paying for a link to a Murdoch website. Ill take your word for it. Actually I think we are seeing a lot more than the death of socialism - politics moves in waves anyway- this is more significant when you read it. Its hard to contradict him and that makes every other prediction small beer and you don't have to pay Murdoch to read it!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/jun/30/population-growth-wipe-out-life-earth

LOL! It's the Financial Times not The Times. It has nothing to do with Murdoch.

The FT is owned by the Pearson Group.

People have been predicting that over population will wipe out the world since Malthus, centuries ago. They've all been wrong so far. Maybe the Guardian can get it right.

HAMISH_MCTAVISH

Mr._Pricklepants wrote: »

Sigh. Another one rooting for the collapse of fiat currency, hoping their debts will somehow be wiped out.

Don't worry.

He only borrowed it to buy Silver.



Ooops.

N1AK

vivatifosi wrote: »

Interesting comment piece in the FT (not sure if online only). It looks at how government spending may look 10 years from now. See:

Interesting article, well worth a read.

Great find, well summarised; thanks for sharing :T

Sadly I doubt it's anything to be shocked by, what's worrying is that most people have no concept of how short term spending and long term spending interlink.

We know that welfare (including pensions) and healthcare costs are increasing relative to both the government budget and GDP. Given that their is no appetite for more taxation the only alternative is to cut them or cut money elsewhere; the latter is far more politically viable and doing it by means testing more viable still.

Yes we'll see better economic performance in the next few years however just getting government spending back to where it was pre-crash, comparative to GDP, requires years frozen spending.

Tancred

vivatifosi wrote: »

Interesting comment piece in the FT (not sure if online only). It looks at how government spending may look 10 years from now. See:

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/fa4aad86-de7d-11e2-b990-00144feab7de.html#axzz2Xbln9dN4

Suggests:
Child benefits and tax credits will be lost to higher earners
Means testing will remain the fashion
Voters will resent welfare spending as their share diminishes
NHS will survive because of ageing population. Spend will remain about 10%
Trend towards greater independence in schools
Local councils will sell off property portfolios and shrink services
Merging and shrinking of central government
Increased taxation of assets
Top rate of income tax will fall back to 40%
Armed forces focused on UK and less foreign intervention
State pension heading towards 70
No banks will be in public ownership
Toll roads will proliferate

Interesting article, well worth a read.

Usual rubbish from the Tory press.

The state pension should go back to 65 for everyone, but become means tested so that retired GPs, judges and other 'golden pensioners' get no state pension.

Tancred

N1AK wrote: »

Great find, well summarised; thanks for sharing :T

Sadly I doubt it's anything to be shocked by, what's worrying is that most people have no concept of how short term spending and long term spending interlink.

We know that welfare (including pensions) and healthcare costs are increasing relative to both the government budget and GDP. Given that their is no appetite for more taxation the only alternative is to cut them or cut money elsewhere; the latter is far more politically viable and doing it by means testing more viable still.

Yes we'll see better economic performance in the next few years however just getting government spending back to where it was pre-crash, comparative to GDP, requires years frozen spending.

State pensions are not 'welfare' - people contribute towards them through NI. Having said that, the funds are wasted by being distributed to everyone, including those who don't need the money. Therefore they should either be means tested or, alternatively and probably more simply, people over 65 should be taxed at 40% on all income above, say £25k a year. The alternative would be to charge NI on pensioners which would be grossly unfair on those on those on lower incomes.