is socialism dead? and should we care? - Page 2

garinda · 19-07-2008, 15:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by den the menace

when is the electorate going to wake up to these greedy hypocrites, who are living the high life and leaving us to pick up the tab.

Agreed.

Who exactly elected Prince 'air miles' Andrew as a trade Ambassador for Britain?

blazey · 21-07-2008, 12:38

I don't understand how socialism would even work. I don't see how society can function without some sort of hierarchy of wealth.

Somebody be kind enough to explain how socialism works and if it existed in this country, what state we could expect to be in.

Benipete · 21-07-2008, 13:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by blazey

I don't understand how socialism would even work. I don't see how society can function without some sort of hierarchy of wealth.

Somebody be kind enough to explain how socialism works and if it existed in this country, what state we could expect to be in.

I suggest you read Animal Farm It explains it all.

jaysay · 21-07-2008, 16:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benipete

I suggest you read Animal Farm It explains it all.

All animals are Equal, but some animals are more equal than others ay Beni

Benipete · 21-07-2008, 18:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaysay

All animals are Equal, but some animals are more equal than others ay Beni

That's the one.As true now as it was then.Beware piggy faced politicians.

garinda · 21-07-2008, 18:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by blazey

Somebody be kind enough to explain how socialism works and if it existed in this country, what state we could expect to be in.

It was a socialist Labour government who introduced free education, and a free health service for all.

Before that if you were ill, and couldn't afford a visit to the doctor, you died.

If you'd left a will, you'd have to find someone to read it, because the chances are your nearest and dearest would be illiterate.

They also intoduced paid holidays for workers, and benefits if you were too ill or unable to work, which happily meant the workhouses for the poor ceased to exist.

andrewb · 21-07-2008, 19:19

The good bits are all here, as Garinda has named!

cashman · 21-07-2008, 19:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewb

The good bits are all here, as Garinda has named!

true,pray inform us what services the opposition has bestowed upon us?

Eric · 21-07-2008, 19:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benipete

That's the one.As true now as it was then.Beware piggy faced politicians.

Is there any other kind

Eric · 21-07-2008, 19:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by cashman

true,pray inform us what services the opposition has bestowed upon us?

The same services the bull provides for the cow

And the right to remain silent about it

Eric · 21-07-2008, 19:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by blazey

I don't understand how socialism would even work. I don't see how society can function without some sort of hierarchy of wealth.

Somebody be kind enough to explain how socialism works and if it existed in this country, what state we could expect to be in.

"Don't understand", "don't see" .... that explains it.

"Hierarchy of wealth" is fine, and understandable ... I have a nicer car than my neighbour, but not as nice a one as the guy down the street ... what is unconscionable is the ever increasing inequity in income and opportunity, between the "haves" and the "have nots". And the embracing of an ideology that seeks to widen the gap.

Eric · 21-07-2008, 19:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

I disagree. I don't think it is as easy as thinking that there is a north/south divide.

For instance Cornwall has the lowest income per person in the country.

I lived in London for sixteen years, and there are very poor parts of the capital. Just as there are very wealthy areas in the north, such as Cheshire, North Yorkshire, and even parts of Lancashire.

I think any problems we have are nationwide, and the rot set in long before this government came to power.

I do think that there has always been a north/south divide; from the harrowing of the north, by way of the overthrow of Richard lll, thro' the sort of thing Mrs. Gaskell expressed in some of her novels ... but you are probably right in saying it is not as "real" as it was.

And I would agree, as would many, that the rot did set in a long time ago. But I would argue that all who agree with that, would have a different opinion as to when the rot set in.

Royboy39 · 21-07-2008, 20:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

It was a socialist Labour government who introduced free education, and a free health service for all.

Before that if you were ill, and couldn't afford a visit to the doctor, you died.

If you'd left a will, you'd have to find someone to read it, because the chances are your nearest and dearest would be illiterate.

They also intoduced paid holidays for workers, and benefits if you were too ill or unable to work, which happily meant the workhouses for the poor ceased to exist.

Also introduced was national insurance to be paid by every employee and set aside to pay for the service.....never happened. Barbara Castle was the first to question where the money had gone....Swallowed up in the public purse and used on other projects that could not be identified was the answer and no accounts to justify where it had gone.
Pensions....good idea at the time. Gordon Brown got his sticky fingers in the pie........millions lost thousands.
Education...I'll go for that...agree good thinking.
The EU Treaty has now been ratified....Surprised that the announcement was not picked up by some of our wide awake members and the chance for a rant seems dead in the water.

Wynonie Harris · 21-07-2008, 20:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Royboy39

The EU Treaty has now been ratified....Surprised that the announcement was not picked up by some of our wide awake members and the chance for a rant seems dead in the water.

It may have been ratified, but it can't actually take effect because all 28 countries have to agree to it and the Irish have voted against it in their referendum. If the government had not broken their promise to the British electorate, doubtless we would have voted against it too.

Obviously the Brussels hierarchy care not a jot for the will of the people and will try to make the Irish "get it right" or simply move the goalposts so the whole thing can take effect on a majority vote.

Don't see what it's got to do with socialism though...Ken Clarke's all for it and he's a Tory. Tony Benn's agin it and he's...well, you get my drift.

Royboy39 · 21-07-2008, 20:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wynonie Harris

It may have been ratified, but it can't actually take effect because all 28 countries have to agree to it and the Irish have voted against it in their referendum. If the government had not broken their promise to the British electorate, doubtless we would have voted against it too.

Obviously the Brussels hierarchy care not a jot for the will of the people and will try to make the Irish "get it right" or simply move the goalposts so the whole thing can take effect on a majority vote.

Don't see what it's got to do with socialism though...Ken Clarke's all for it and he's a Tory. Tony Benn's agin it and he's...well, you get my drift.

I agree but it was meant as a rider.