Todays political post

[Incognito]

Yes but I'm past expecting the juvenile brats and ignorant pigs who mostly populate this board to know or care much about anybody else.

That's because I'm not a Socialist. I don't believe in the NHS and I believe benefits should be earned. Incapacity benefits should be tested by an independent source.

Child benefits should be stopped after the first child. You want more; I shouldn't have to stump up for them.

[sasguru]

Child benefits should be stopped after the first child. You want more; I shouldn't have to stump up for them.

I've heard that argument many times.
But what about the country's need to maintain its population at a certain level or risk dying out?

[TheBigYinJames]

I don't believe in the NHS

... until he has an accident or cancer....

Incapacity benefits should be tested by an independent source.

.... like... Doctors?

Child benefits should be stopped after the first child. You want more; I shouldn't have to stump up for them.

Yes you should. I propose you should pay double just for being an grumpy old sod.

[sasguru]

... I propose you should pay double just for being an grumpy old sod.

grumpy old sod firing blanks

[Cyberman]

In the early 90s recession, when I was just starting out and had no experience, I was made redundant twice. I didn't enjoy the experience of claiming benefits even though both spells only lasted a few weeks.
I hope the coming recession causes some pain for the brats like Cyberman who have only enjoyed the good times (based on an artificial credit boom). It would do them a power of good to experience the other side of the coin.

I've had periods out of work just as everybody else will at some stage in their life. Benefits are there for a safety net not for a lifestyle choice. As a director of my own company I was not able to claim dole even though I was out of work for a year or so after Y2K. My unemployment was funded from my savings and I sold my endowments to keep going. It's a shame that others such as Gordon Brown do not save during the good times.

Yes I am a typical Tory because I do not expect others to fund my lifestyle!! I just wish there were more self-reliant people like myself.

You may wish bad on me Sasguru, but I will do everything in my own power to ensure that that does not happen and so that I do not have to go for handouts. Personally, I want the best for everybody and especially those with the determination to make a better life for themselves through their own hard work.

Long live Tory philosophy !!!!

[IR35 Avoider]

I've heard that argument many times.
But what about the country's need to maintain its population at a certain level or risk dying out?

There is no world shortage of people, not even of educated civilised ones who can speak English.

Britain is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. While it may well be possible to support a larger population, surely we don't want to. In fact I think the country would be hugely improved if the population fell significantly. A halving in size that happened gradually as a result of a policy to improve quality of life should not affect per-capita GDP.

For population-control reasons, I oppose building new housing on green-field sites. If people can't afford adequate housing, the problem is not a shortage of housing, it is a shortage of income to afford living in Britain. Those who can't compete should emigrate to somewhere less crowded or have fewer children, to save space. The ecomentalists say new roads generate new traffic, so don't build them. It's a generalisation which contains a kernel of truth, and the same logic can be applied to houses and people. Build more houses and it's only a matter of time before housing pressure will be back where it was, leaving nothing achieved in return for sacrificing that extra bit of countryside.

[sasguru]

I've had periods out of work just as everybody else will at some stage in their life. Benefits are there for a safety net not for a lifestyle choice. As a director of my own company I was not able to claim dole even though I was out of work for a year or so after Y2K. My unemployment was funded from my savings and I sold my endowments to keep going. It's a shame that others such as Gordon Brown do not save during the good times.

Yes I am a typical Tory because I do not expect others to fund my lifestyle!! I just wish there were more self-reliant people like myself.

You may wish bad on me Sasguru, but I will do everything in my own power to ensure that that does not happen and so that I do not have to go for handouts. Personally, I want the best for everybody and especially those with the determination to make a better life for themselves through their own hard work.

Long live Tory philosophy !!!!

I have only ever voted Tory too. But in annoys me when people lump all dole claimants into one category. Not everyone has the intelligence, opportunities and/or good health we are blessed with.
If you had an accident that inapacitated you would be very glad of the help that exists. So perhaps moralising in a mindless "Daily Mail" hypocritical way is not the way to go, eh?

[Peoplesoft bloke]

Thatcher was a cretin to many of your ilk. It takes a few cretins to want to improve things.

No Thatcher was very clever, but also a morally bankrupt phillistine (consumate) politician. Her apologists have revised history to suggest she did all sorts of things (like cutting taxes) that she didn't.

[boo.boo]

No Thatcher was very clever, but also a morally bankrupt phillistine (consumate) politician. Her apologists have revised history to suggest she did all sorts of things (like cutting taxes) that she didn't.

I think you'll find she did cuts taxes.

[Cyberman]

I have only ever voted Tory too. But in annoys me when people lump all dole claimants into one category. Not everyone has the intelligence, opportunities and/or good health we are blessed with.
If you had an accident that inapacitated you would be very glad of the help that exists. So perhaps moralising in a mindless "Daily Mail" hypocritical way is not the way to go, eh?

I don't think you know the meaning of hypocrisy Sasguru, as I have just explained I practice as I preach. Perhaps it you who is actually the hypocrite.