I would like to decide for myself.

[Zippy]

This lot are not socialists - they don't give a toss about the people.

I agree I would rather risk the odd bomb than be spied on while going about my business. We didn't need all this when the IRA were attacking us so why do we need it now?
Having said that, every time someone is on the telly being asked for their views on the latest stomp of the jackboot they say "well, if you've got nothing to hide ...." so I guess we get what we deserve.
Our glorious government - the finest money can buy.

[dang65]

But I am not being allowed to make those decisions. Why can't I decide for myself?

It is like being a child again isn't it, and having your mother say, "You mustn't dig in the garden because you'll get all muddy, and you might catch a horrible disease from a mushroom, and you might eat a worm, so you have to go indoors and watch that nice Blue Peter instead." And all you think is, well a disease sounds fantastic, and worms are delicious, and children have been digging in the mud for years and only a few of them died from it.

But mummy is in charge, and you have to watch Blue Peter.

[SallyAnne]

do all Socialist governments gravitate naturally towards totalitarian state control, Marxist and Stalinist notions?

Will this count towards our final grade?

[Gonzo]

And a wider thought... do all Socialist governments gravitate naturally towards totalitarian state control, Marxist and Stalinist notions?

Although Socialism manifests itself in many forms, the underlying principle is that the state should intervene to "correct" inequalities.

To me this means that they think it is the right of the state to meddle in every aspect of my life to "correct" a perceived injustice, whether that injustice is done to me or to someone else.

Having said all that, I am not aware of any other countries that have embraced surveillance as whole-heartedly as the UK authorities.

There had been a socialist government here in New Zealand for the last nine years up until the end of last year. I am not sure that things are too bad here.

Of course, the locals moan about the fixed speed cameras that have started to appear around the place.

After registering my car I received a letter from the electoral authorities telling me that I wasn't registered to vote and I was required to do so.

Getting on an internal flight is a doddle mind you - virtually no formalities or security.

So I don't think 9 years of socialist government here has been as bad for civil liberties as the UK.

Hang on a minute, there's someone at the door.

[TykeMerc]

I want to understand their motives...

I mean, they have to know it won't make them very popular, gathering all this data without a referendum or public support. Surely they know this? What's driving this push to monitor the populace?

And a wider thought... do all Socialist governments gravitate naturally towards totalitarian state control, Marxist and Stalinist notions?

Quite simply put the posters on here are in a very small minority since we know how much truth there is in the phrase "Secure Database".
I doubt that even 1% of the UK population understand or care about the issues that large quantities of personal data collected present to civil liberties.

[realityhack]

I want to understand their motives...

I mean, they have to know it won't make them very popular, gathering all this data without a referendum or public support. Surely they know this? What's driving this push to monitor the populace?

And a wider thought... do all Socialist governments gravitate naturally towards totalitarian state control, Marxist and Stalinist notions?

[TykeMerc]

use the bogey man to scare the public into accepting their oppressive state agenda

Indeed, sadly they know that they can and will get away with it.

[Ruprect]

...because you live in the 21st century, and politicians are scared to death of the bogey man?

More to the point, how long before the populace get so hacked off with government snooping and intrusion that they snap and start lining politicians up against the wall?

use the bogey man to scare the public into accepting their oppressive state agenda

[wurzel]

tweezers

Zircon Encrusted?

[PM-Junkie]

...because you live in the 21st century, and politicians are scared to death of the bogey man?

More to the point, how long before the populace get so hacked off with government snooping and intrusion that they snap and start lining politicians up against the wall?

[TykeMerc]

I'd rather take the chance of a few terrorist attacks, than have the government spy on me all my life.

I'd rather be able to take nail clippers, tweezers, a corkscrew and bottle-opener on a plane, than have the risk of a tweezers hijacking safely eliminated at my gross inconvenience.


But I am not being allowed to make those decisions. Why can't I decide for myself?

Nanny knows best!!!!!!!

[chicane]

Because the government believes that you're just as likely as one of the other 60 million folk in the UK to be a terrorist.

[expat]

I'd rather take the chance of a few terrorist attacks, than have the government spy on me all my life.

I'd rather be able to take nail clippers, tweezers, a corkscrew and bottle-opener on a plane, than have the risk of a tweezers hijacking safely eliminated at my gross inconvenience.


But I am not being allowed to make those decisions. Why can't I decide for myself?