Housing Shortage

[Moscow Mule]

I'm certain(ish) that if you go back far enough, Gates ancestors would not have been from landed gentry with an inherited fortune.. his father was obviously succesful and his mother was a school teacher - daddy didn't loan him a million like Stelios but he dropped out of uni and built his business

America may well be founded on meritocratic principles, but can you honestly say that everybody has an equal chance of success there today?

Your second quote

The primary message is that each person is primarily responsible for themselves, for their own family and friends,

- I'm not sure of the point you're trying to make but the quote

Basically, the poor got f@cked over and left to die.

Poor people get a rough deal, so be nicer to them.

[Troll]

Basically, the poor got f@cked over and left to die.

Poor people get a rough deal, so be nicer to them.

Just Darwinian ..tulip happens...I suppose the thing is not to be poor...if you are poor the mechanisms exist in this society for you to correct that situation- but only if you have the will to do so..i.e. a meritocracy (think we are in a circular argument here)

[Moscow Mule]

Just Darwinian ..tulip happens...I suppose the thing is not to be poor...

Indeed

if you are poor the mechanisms exist in this society for you to correct that situation- but only if you have the will to do so..i.e. a meritocracy

If every poor person applied themselves would the mechanism cope?

(think we are in a circular argument here)

Well, I've got nothing better to do...

[Euro-commuter]

"Quote:
Originally Posted by Moscow Mule
Basically, the poor got f@cked over and left to die.

Poor people get a rough deal, so be nicer to them."

Just Darwinian ..tulip happens...I suppose the thing is not to be poor...

Darwinian?? Which Darwin was that? The one who wrote Origin of Species? I've read it and I don't recall any of that stuff in it.

[Troll]

Darwinian?? Which Darwin was that? The one who wrote Origin of Species? I've read it and I don't recall any of that stuff in it.

Never heard of the phrase "survival of the fittest"?

[Troll]

If every poor person applied themselves would the mechanism cope?

I would hope so - It's easier & cheaper to manage success than failure

[DodgyAgent]

Indeed, poor people have less opportunity in life so be nicer to them.

Poor people do not need to be so patronised. They are likely to find you more offensive if you do not treat them as equals.

[Churchill]

Poor people do not need to be so patronised. They are likely to find you more offensive if you do not treat them as equals.

Yes, we really must do something about the poor. Has anyone got a train?

[DodgyAgent]

Why would they not be the 'the fruits of your labours'?

It's true that having cash does open more doors... but what are the impediments to aquiring cash?

A level of education is free for all in this country, as is healthcare.
What you make of these gifts is entirely up to you...and only limited by your natural abilities -i.e. a meritocracy

That is not true. The education system may be technically free but in reality you pay more or less according to the standard of education that you want for your children.

In other words we do not live in a meritocracy at all, we live according to where and to whom we were born.

I think what is being confused here is the difference between a society that is governed by class or a society that is governed by money. What ought to be happening is that society should be governed according to aspirations in order that all people are given a very good education and then told to make of life what they will.

[Euro-commuter]

Never heard of the phrase "survival of the fittest"?

Yes. Have any idea what it means?

No, let me guess:
"Some survive, some don't. Those who do must be fittest. That's Darwinism."

I despair.