Off Topic Politics Thread

[Libby]

Clunky though it might seem voting in person has some (if flaky) safeguards. Not least that local volunteers manning stations know many if not most locals by sight, and turning up in person will always put naughty boys and girls off. I think think only a handful of people trying to 'fake vote' in person have been evident over the last decade, as Vin points out postal votes have become a real potential problem in some wards.

I was very proud going with my wife and two girls to vote at the last election, even though I was pretty certain I was being outvoted
All efforts should be on getting everyone to vote, as already mentioned the model of facing a fine if you can't for good reason works for me.

A lot of people say this but I don't understand this view, people like to talk about a free country etc. So why should people be forced to do something they don't want to do?

Personally I'll never vote in my lifetime.

 

[Whiteley Saint]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-43339901

So Trump is going to meet Kim Jong-un who has apparently "committed to denuclearisation" and had "pledged that North Korea will refrain from any further nuclear or missile tests". Sounds like good news although I fully expect not much to come of it except perhaps for the war of words to stop. We have been here before after all.

Trump will no doubt take the credit but I think the Chinese probably had a lot to do with it.

 

[ChilcoSaint]

A lot of people say this but I don't understand this view, people like to talk about a free country etc. So why should people be forced to do something they don't want to do?

Personally I'll never vote in my lifetime.

But after you’re dead?

I have to say I completely fail to understand why anyone wouldn’t want to exert even the minimal influence they have in the democratic process. Having said that, even if voting did become compulsory you could still spoil your ballot paper by writing what you think on it, so you’re not really being forced to vote.

 

[Libby]

But after you’re dead?

I have to say I completely fail to understand why anyone wouldn’t want to exert even the minimal influence they have in the democratic process. Having said that, even if voting did become compulsory you could still spoil your ballot paper by writing what you think on it, so you’re not really being forced to vote.

Yeah that didn't really read right <ugh>

I just don't feel like any of them truly care about people like me and it's all a bit of a game related to money and power for them, for me they're in the main all as bad as each other.

Agree it's each to their own but that's kind of my point, I don't understand why people spend so much of their time worrying about something of which they so little control over but I respect their right to do so.

I just think people should respect the right of those who don't like to be involved in the process, rather than looking down on them.

Not saying that's you by the way just a general comment

 

[greensaint]

A lot of people say this but I don't understand this view, people like to talk about a free country etc. So why should people be forced to do something they don't want to do?

Personally I'll never vote in my lifetime.

You can turn up and 'not vote'. Some countries have an abstain box just for that, or just put your protest X outside any box.
The idea is ( a bit like taxes) as someone who enjoys the benefits of living in a democracy you engage in, and contribute to, it's process. You're not forced to vote for anyone, it's the act of voting that's important. Those who don't like or want a democratic process, however flawed, Mr Putin will surely offer a welcome. To be honest I regularly use my voting to justify a large amount of moaning, some may have noticed, mainly my wife bless her.

 

[VocalMinority]

The US government should ask the hackers that they try and prosecute. I await the day when it is announced that Apple are taking a British hacker to court.....who knows they may have already been hacked loads of times but it is not good for their credibility so its kept secret!!! I don;t think the US government being unable says much though. They have enough trouble keeping hackers out of their own systems.

They do that through obtaining passwords. As you pointed out in your previous post that can be done through a landline. Owning a mobile has nothing to do with it. You can be hacked just as easily despite not owning one.

 

[ChilcoSaint]

Yeah that didn't really read right <ugh>

I just don't feel like any of them truly care about people like me and it's all a bit of a game related to money and power for them, for me they're in the main all as bad as each other.

Agree it's each to their own but that's kind of my point, I don't understand why people spend so much of their time worrying about something of which they so little control over but I respect their right to do so.

I just think people should respect the right of those who don't like to be involved in the process, rather than looking down on them.

Not saying that's you by the way just a general comment

I hope this doesn’t sound like preaching, but you are involved in the process whether you vote or not, everyone is. The taxes you pay, your National Insurance, your electricity bill, the VAT on your clothes, the Excise duty on your beer and petrol, even down to the number of times the recycling wagon comes round, they’re all subject to the democratic process. You have a right to make your voice heard about these things, whether it’s just by putting an “X” on a piece of paper or by challenging your representatives at public meetings. And I know it’s really easy to get involved at a local level, as I’ve been a Parish Councillor for nearly 12 years. We love it when people actually come to council meetings and say their piece, it validates our own position or steers us in the right direction. Check out your local Parish Council, you might even be moved to get involved yourself!

 

[San Tejón]

One million NHS workers are set to get a 6.5% pay rise, over the next three years. Good news indeed, except.........
It appears there is a red line, set by the Government, that cannot be crossed. The workers have to agree to losing one day from their annual, 27 day holiday allowance, or no deal.
I guess we can expect more of this, across the board, once Brexit kicks in and working rights are further reduced.

 

[ChilcoSaint]

One million NHS workers are set to get a 6.5% pay rise, over the next three years. Good news indeed, except.........
It appears there is a red line, set by the Government, that cannot be crossed. The workers have to agree to losing one day from their annual, 27 day holiday allowance, or no deal.
I guess we can expect more of this, across the board, once Brexit kicks in and working rights are further reduced.

Even 6.5% over 3 years is an insult, considering how far behind the curve they have fallen, with over a decade of no pay rises or a paltry 1%. An absolute mockery.

 

[saintrichie123]

Even 6.5% over 3 years is an insult, considering how far behind the curve they have fallen, with over a decade of no pay rises or a paltry 1%. An absolute mockery.

Totally agree Chilco, wasn't it last year MPs got 11%. ..........just ludicrous.

 

[Le Saint]

One million NHS workers are set to get a 6.5% pay rise, over the next three years. Good news indeed, except.........
It appears there is a red line, set by the Government, that cannot be crossed. The workers have to agree to losing one day from their annual, 27 day holiday allowance, or no deal.
I guess we can expect more of this, across the board, once Brexit kicks in and working rights are further reduced.

omg. Blame literally everything on Brexit! I love the way this implies the EU is this great bastion of workers rights. It’s such utter nonsense. Once we are in control of our law I don’t expect a sudden erosion of standards and rights. But, if there was I could do something about it - vote for some new lawmakers!! I work in the private sector and have what I think is a reasonably generous holiday allowance of 25 days but having also had stagnant wage growth for years. I really don’t think a proposal for wage increase based on going down to 26 days is the most horrific proposal ever.

 

[San Tejón]

omg. Blame literally everything on Brexit! I love the way this implies the EU is this great bastion of workers rights. It’s such utter nonsense. Once we are in control of our law I don’t expect a sudden erosion of standards and rights. But, if there was I could do something about it - vote for some new lawmakers!! I work in the private sector and have what I think is a reasonably generous holiday allowance of 25 days but having also had stagnant wage growth for years. I really don’t think a proposal for wage increase based on going down to 26 days is the most horrific proposal ever.

So you would happily give up a day’s holiday to get a pay rise?
And next year? The year after?
It sets a precedence and undermines the years of effort and sacrifice that has gone into getting decent holiday allowances.
I take it your holiday allowance doesn’t include bank holidays?
I get 30 days including bank holidays, so not everyone has the luxury of giving up time off so casually.

 

[Le Saint]

So you would happily give up a day’s holiday to get a pay rise?
And next year? The year after?
It sets a precedence and undermines the years of effort and sacrifice that has gone into getting decent holiday allowances.
I take it your holiday allowance doesn’t include bank holidays?
I get 30 days including bank holidays, so not everyone has the luxury of giving up time off so casually.

Yes. If I had 27 days I would happily trade a day for a pay rise. But I don’t.

 

[benditlikeabanana]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-43339901

So Trump is going to meet Kim Jong-un who has apparently "committed to denuclearisation" and had "pledged that North Korea will refrain from any further nuclear or missile tests". Sounds like good news although I fully expect not much to come of it except perhaps for the war of words to stop. We have been here before after all.

Trump will no doubt take the credit but I think the Chinese probably had a lot to do with it.

I can see the meltdown if all goes well and N Korea puts a hold on its nuclear programme, and Trump with Xi Jinping get The Nobel Peace Prize next year.

 

[Archers Road]

I can see the meltdown if all goes well and N Korea puts a hold on its nuclear programme, and Trump with Xi Jinping get The Nobel Peace Prize next year.

That might be quite entertaining

 

[ImpSaint]

I can see the meltdown if all goes well and N Korea puts a hold on its nuclear programme, and Trump with Xi Jinping get The Nobel Peace Prize next year.

I had to laugh. Away from points of whether this is all just for show on N Korea's part. If it had been Obama announcing this the media would have been fawning over it and not trying to look for negatives like they are.

 

[benditlikeabanana]

Katy Perry is trying to buy a convent in LA but was being blocked bu one of the nuns, it went to trial as the others involved in the sale have agreed to sell to Perry. In court the nun drops dead, I guess you could say god wanted Perry to buy the convent. I await her next single about being on the side of god

 

[VocalMinority]

I can see the meltdown if all goes well and N Korea puts a hold on its nuclear programme, and Trump with Xi Jinping get The Nobel Peace Prize next year.

North Korea does this every few years, its pretty much a cycle.

Increase tension - test missiles - receive sanction- threaten west - offer to reduce tensions and missile test in trade for international aid.

Both Trump and Kim will hail this as a victory over an enemy and proof of their strength to their respective populaces. Victory for everyone (except for the population of both countries).

 

[Missing Lambo]

BREAKING NEWS

May lining up a possee of vicars' daughters to run through Russian cornfields unless they jolly well explain themselves.

Putin may resign rather than take risk.



FFS!

 

[greensaint]

BREAKING NEWS

May lining up a possee of vicars' daughters to run through Russian cornfields unless they jolly well explain themselves.

Putin may resign rather than take risk.



FFS!

Yes I've always seen May as our Daenerys who will join with the great Khal (Putin) and conquer the known world.

I said a day after the poisoning May should issue advice that Brits in Russia are there at their own risk. While aware there are vast economic repercussions of a serious breach with Russia I just wish we'd do it. Kick the friends of Putin out, freeze assets and take the hit. Trouble is we will continue (mostly) to play by the rules while Putin takes the p*ss.