Thought Id start this one going because its rather dead on this board at the moment and I suppose all my usual muckers are either at the Stella tennis event watching Dim Tim (lose again) or at Henly Regatta eating cucumber sandwiches (they wish,...NOT).

Anyway please feel free to just talk to yourself blast away and let it go on any company or subject you wish. Just wish Id thought of this one before.

cheers GF.

fred - 29356 was an interesting read (i have been out all day and only just returned), but you don't address - and i don't blame you, but merely comment - how you would create your utopian society

of course, the answer is you cannot, and harsh and arguably unfair as it might be, at the end of the day, society can only supply welfare in its very broadest sense to the extent that it can afford it .... "affording" it through heavier and heavier taxation patently does not work ...... so the fullness of the purse dictates that "welfare" either offers less, or perhaps a bit more when that society is going through one of its periodic boom times which, de facto, creates greater revenue/taxation stream

Cynic,

One may not succeed, but you can attempt to move slowly towards the goal, otherwise society may gradually retreat into is previous state.

Ie. the resurgence of extreme right political parties, as seen with BNP and elements of UKIP, Germany, France and Greece.

It isn't simply the distribution of wealth, or increasing taxation, it is having a recognisable reason for acceptable differentials of retained "income" and its uses.

Perhaps, valuation of input into society as a whole. with the risks and responsibilities undertaken taken into be the measurement.

Also, there may be a more change in the balance of taxation from "direct taxation" to "indirect taxation".

--------

Just throwing something into the air again, is an increasing GDP the measurement of what is a successful society?

When it reaches infinity, what will be the purpose of economy of that size?

Absurd maybe, but think about it for a moment, or two. When is enough, enough?

There will never be enough£

Print more of it!

George is has been doing it, without mentioning it for months.

8-)

I don't think he has!

Total authorised QE has stood at £375bn since July 2012.

Greeks protest against Golden Dawn attack on Communists

Thousands demonstrate in Athens after supporters of neo-Nazi party leave nine seriously injured amid fears of civil war



Helena Smith in Athens

theguardian.com, Friday 13 September 2013 19.37 BST


http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/13/greeks-protest-golden-dawn-attack-communists

Nick Clegg Muslim arse hole lickerhttp://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/09/13/muslim-student-veil-ban-reversed-birmingham-college_n_3918198.html?icid=maing-grid7%7Cuk%7Cdl1%7Csec3_lnk3%26pLid%3D208468

fred - good to be having a sensible discussion for a change! ...... in times of deep recession, nationalism and attaching political parties always come to the fore .... 'twas ever thus and always will be

your ideals may be to be applauded, but though society is merely a grouping of individuals, unlike with greenpeace which has emotional appeal, the raising of any taxes to "improve" conditions for the less fortunate, is never going to win many votes ...... in any case, even indirect taxes will always hit everyone

Cynic,

I will rest.

For this evening I am pondering more on making fish soup and stew, and whether, when I wander off in the motorhome, if I can cook a Paella in a slow cooker, while I am driving.

Previously, slow cooked Pork and Sauerkraut, over a 6-8 hour drive on a drive from Calais to the Dordogne.

It was perfect.

But before I go.

I am not sure.

Think USA and Russia got the decision they wanted, but maybe not a good one for Syria.

Miscalled Assad, Acid.

Perhaps less than a "slip".

Nice cartoon. Lots of overtones.

Update: Labour lead at 5
by YouGov in Politics
Sun September 15, 6 a.m. BST

Latest YouGov / The Sunday Times results 13th September - Con 33%, Lab 38%, LD 9%, UKIP 12%;

Hays,

The polls are interesting and like to see a trend chart.

But I think until the UK is 6-9 months out from the election then they have little projection value for the result.

I think by then some of the problems created by the coalition will be hitting home and doubt that the Cons will be able to sell themselves as a success.

I "think" Miliband is playing the cards he is dealt reasonably and perhaps skillfully and he will start introduce "labour" and "moderate" policies and the party may be even more united than it appears at the moment.

However, tory will feel the effects of UKIP and its own Right wingers some of whom are worried about the Cameron.

The UKIP and Nigel effect will appeal to more and more Right wing "tories" and will be frightening more of the newer tory MPS, with the migration of the vote from them to UKIP with increasing old LID/DEMs again migrating to Labour.

Interesting to watch.

What odds can I get.

Labour has no policies.

The British public have got to know what they stand for and that's not 3 or 6 months before the election.

Dms,

Labour have no "proposed" policies announced, but don't be surprised if they are being formulated.

While Cameron and his crew are announcing ill-thought-out policies on the hoof, and attempting to implement one week only to withdraw them when one side of the disjointed party point the stupidity of them.


Cameron will go down in history as the U-turn PM.


===========

Lucky, for Cameron that he lost the Syrian vote in the HP, due to ED.

Mind he blamed Labour for his lucky "escape".

He has done something right by not controlling his own party.

Laughable.

Hasn't somebody advised Cameron to take his trousers down.

Perhaps, he wouldn't be in such ssssh.