"Socialism" outlawed

[Chuck]

One can but hope.

[LondonManc]

I disagree. The world isn't purely capitalist and life shouldn't be either.

The biggest problem we have is a part-privatised infrastructure. Personally, I'd love to see a fully integrated single-entity public transport UK (or at least one for each home nation). Run them all as non-profit with any money made put back into infrastructure improvements. This all needs to be run as a major UK employer but independent of government to an extent; that is, it should be run with a board reporting into government but not directed by them so that we're not flip-flopping on initiatives every five years and have a proper long term infrastructure platform rather than populist ballhooks from the flavours of the day. If companies get their toes trodden on as a result of taking business away from them, so be it.

Bring back apprentice schemes and integrate with schools so that pupils understand that academic achievement isn't the only form of achievement.

There's a place for socialism and it's not for being offended on behalf of others.

[xoggoth]

I disagree. The world isn't purely capitalist and life shouldn't be either.

Lot of sense in that post. The main problems with publicly run bodies are the power of the unions and the rigid rules that make it hard to sack the useless or reward employees based on merit. On the other hand, if these problems could be addressed, there is sense in single entities in charge of things where there are wider issues, where the entity's profit is not the sole concern.

I was all in favour of Thatcher tackling the greedy miners but saw no good reason to break up the CEGB which was generally an efficient organisation with very little in way of strikes etc. The main consequence of that and some other privatisations has been the giving away of control of our infrastructure to the Frogs and others. We have no technical competency left in the UK to find our own solutions to looming power shortages and have to go cap in hand to the French or Chinese.

Agree on apprenticeships too. We need to dump this daft idea that higher education is a right. Many leave college/uni with useless degrees that do not improve their earnings potential and have little benefit to the UK economy. Having a target career on leaving school would make sense. Maybe also we should scrap student loans for all and provide more support for the most promising.

[LondonManc]

Agree with all that.

The elite minds must be allowed to fly, whatever background they are from. We need our top level scientists and we also need top-level doers - those that can make things happen from a practical point of view once the thinker has had the vision. The only way that I can see anything getting traction is to discredit the idiot box celebrities - those famous for being famous. The Japanese see their Nobel Laureates as celebrities, we doff our cap to them in The Times and that's about it.

[AtW]

It's easy to outlaw socialism - everybody should be treated fairly meaning equally - flat rate taxation, same level of benefits etc.

If socialists want 50% tax then everybody should pay it.

Simples.

[NigelJK]

Bring back apprentice schemes

They have

And whilst we're at it stop subsidising the so called 'public transport'.

[Unix]

One can but hope.

NHS vs the Banks. This chump sides with the banks.

[BrilloPad]

One can but hope.

It is that sort of attitude that leads to ISIS. Are you that insecure that you cannot tolerate anyone else's opinion?

[DimPrawn]

It is that sort of attitude that leads to ISIS. Are you that insecure that you cannot tolerate anyone else's opinion?

I find it easier just to wait until assguru tells us which opinion is the correct one.

[DimPrawn]

NHS vs the Banks. This chump sides with the banks.

To be fair, NHS saves people's lives, but the banks boost house prices by lending at ridiculous income multiples, so it's a close call.