Stop Bloody Moaning!!!

Generali

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/4c317db0-583e-11e4-a31b-00144feab7de.html#axzz3Goq1OiJi

There is no longer anything quiet about this country’s negativity. The ambient noise in Britain today is a drone of complaint: about migration, unspecified “elites”, politics itself. The electoral sensation of the moment, the UK Independence party, feeds on a popular view that things are bad and getting worse. Ed Miliband, the leader of the opposition, is running against the modern economy. Even David Cameron, a prime minister of sunny temperament, indulges the sour mood.

This indulgence is so hard to forgive because the sourness is so misplaced. Look at Britain as an informed foreigner might. Here is a country that responds to a secessionist threat to its existence by holding a free and fair referendum. It has evolved an economic model that is more hospitable to business than much of Europe and kindlier to the poor than America. It cuts public spending year on year without any civil disorder to speak of. Crime is falling. Unemployment is at 6 per cent. The politicians are small-time but basically honourable. The capital city is a miracle of the modern world.

We are eerily stable even compared to other rich countries. There is a non-trivial chance that France will elect a National Front president in 2017. Here, the wildest result of next year’s general election would be a few parliamentary seats for Ukip, whose provincial cantankerousness stops some way short of extremism.

Ozzuk

Yet you can't ignore the negativity and I wonder how long before it reaches a stage where more people will take action. Certainly UKIP is striking a chord with people, which is a shame I think.

I do think we sometimes forget how good we have it compared with some countries, but that argument is getting quite tired, after all, shouldn't we strive for the society we actually want? Though perhaps, we'll end up getting the society we deserve...

Graham_Devon

If you are doing OK, things are probably pretty grand.

If you are not, and, like many, have seen a decline in your living standards, this article is a bit hollow.

The comments on the article pick up on the overarching point in this column piece, which appears to be "I'm alright thanks, so quit moaning...."

Many will agree with his piece. Those people, will be, on large, doing alright... if not prospering from the recession. It's simply a viewpoint. But a viewpoint from someone who is privileged and probably completely unaware of how others outside of his social circle live.

Mr Ganesh choses to live, look and write about only one end of the spectrum - others have live at the other.

^^ 3rd highest rated comment on the article.

Thrugelmir

Written by someone with an extremely ideological viewpoint. I would suggest out of touch with ordinary people and what they experience on a daily basis. Easy to see UKIP becoming a party of protest next year. Barroso's comments this week were at the best unhelpful. As merely show that politics comes before reality.

Generali

Ozzuk wrote: »

Yet you can't ignore the negativity and I wonder how long before it reaches a stage where more people will take action. Certainly UKIP is striking a chord with people, which is a shame I think.

I do think we sometimes forget how good we have it compared with some countries, but that argument is getting quite tired, after all, shouldn't we strive for the society we actually want? Though perhaps, we'll end up getting the society we deserve...

British people have been negative about Britain for as long as I can remember (lets say since 1976). Perhaps it's time to look to the positives a bit more as Britain has a huge amount going for it.

If you compare the standard of living in Britain with almost any other country in the world then it's extremely high. Not the highest but right up there.

Thrugelmir

Generali wrote: »

British people have been negative about Britain for as long as I can remember (lets say since 1976). Perhaps it's time to look to the positives a bit more as Britain has a huge amount going for it.

If you compare the standard of living in Britain with almost any other country in the world then it's extremely high. Not the highest but right up there.

You don't live here now Gen.

danothy

Thrugelmir wrote: »

You don't live here now Gen.

Does that make him an "informed foreigner" then?

Generali

Thrugelmir wrote: »

You don't live here now Gen.

Very true although I am a regular visitor.

danothy wrote: »

Does that make him an "informed foreigner" then?

What (s)he said.

wotsthat

Generali wrote: »

If you compare the standard of living in Britain with almost any other country in the world then it's extremely high. Not the highest but right up there.

Apart from high standards of living, a stable democracy, low crime rates, a generous welfare state, high employment rates, free health care regardless of ability to pay, the world's capital city, housing for all, cheap food, what else have we got?

Take your rosy tints off mate. Anyway you moved to Aus so clearly this place isn't just going to hell in a handcart - it's arrived. You were lucky to get out when you did.

wymondham

I think its more to do with yes we've got all of the above, but we'd also like to keep it, and it looks like its slipping away?

Generali

wotsthat wrote: »

Take your rosy tints off mate. Anyway you moved to Aus so clearly this place isn't just going to hell in a handcart - it's arrived. You were lucky to get out when you did.

Lucky escape really.

wotsthat wrote: »

Apart from high standards of living, a stable democracy, low crime rates, a generous welfare state, high employment rates, free health care regardless of ability to pay, the world's capital city, housing for all, cheap food, what else have we got?

What else?

High standards of political governance; an amazing arts scene; a (professional) sporting culture that truly is the envy of the world (~100 professional soccer clubs - !!!!!!!!!); possibly the world's greatest city; a fair legal system; best pubs in the world (ex-Germany perhaps).

The weather's lousy though. And the people! All they ever seem to do is moan.