Anarchy in the CUK!

[SimonMac]

It seems T'gyption people are up in arms again after 12 months of their GovtCo has failed to bring the reforms that they wanted first time round, it begs the question why is passion in UK Politics not as strong so much to say that anyone who voices a strong opinions is shouted down as an extremist or generally loony, is it a case of apathy or are we really better off than we thing?

[Paddy]

There was a discussion on R4 with Gordon Brown in about 2002, he said that it was impossible to raise taxes any further without causing mass protests from the public. There was more to his statement than meets the eye. Taxation is not just about raising money; it is about control of the people. In order to control a population you them to be a risk of losing their home (having a mortgage default is the easiest way) and making sure that they do not have too much time on their hands. If you look at places like Egypt, Turkey and Greece, property has been in the family for generations, they will not lose their homes if they lose their jobs and protest. In the UK and US, people are scared of losing their house.

[OwlHoot]

It seems T'gyption people are up in arms again after 12 months of their GovtCo has failed to bring the reforms that they wanted first time round, it begs the question why is passion in UK Politics not as strong so much to say that anyone who voices a strong opinions is shouted down as an extremist or generally loony, is it a case of apathy or are we really better off than we thing?

One reason is that their population is growing so fast their average age is about 20, and the same goes for many Arab countries. So there's simply a larger proportion of idealistic young hot heads with little to lose in taking to the streets.

Not suggesting the Egyptians don't have genuine grievances though.

[sasguru]

... it begs the question why is passion in UK Politics not as strong...

Could it be because we live in a generally functioning democracy, do not have an Islamist fundamentalist government, and are one of the richest countries in the world ?
FFS Some of you cretins need to do a bit of travelling.

[hyperD]

It seems T'gyption people are up in arms again after 12 months of their GovtCo has failed to bring the reforms that they wanted first time round, it begs the question why is passion in UK Politics not as strong so much to say that anyone who voices a strong opinions is shouted down as an extremist or generally loony, is it a case of apathy or are we really better off than we thing?

Panem et circenses.

[sasguru]

Panem et circenses.

You say that like its a bad thing. That's exactly what people want.

[hyperD]

You say that like its a bad thing. That's exactly what people want.

Pas de tout, mon ami. I agree, it's been the secret social recipe for thousands of years.

[sasguru]

Pas de tout, mon ami. I agree, it's been the secret social recipe for thousands of years.

My point is it's not secret, it's not some conspiracy theory - successful governments allow the conditions for happiness - in the human animal this involves some material comfort and some stimulation.
When these conditions are not met revolution occurs, sooner or later.

[hyperD]

My point is it's not secret, it's not some conspiracy theory - successful governments allow the conditions for happiness - in the human animal this involves some material comfort and some stimulation.
When these conditions are not met revolution occurs, sooner or later.

OK, sorry, I see your point, yup agree.