Mick, I insult everyone just as others insult me. It bothers me not a jot but you're a boring, pretentious twat who, no matter what the discussion at hand, starts blethering on about the state. No one mentioned the ****ing state! We don't even have a big government state. Most of the countries you cite in your OP, namely in Asia and S America, have big Government state and lots of government involvement. So kindly **** off, there's a good boy
You accused me of blaming poor people, I clarified that I don't blame poor people, I only ever call for a smaller state (which I guess you assume hurts poor people) - which is why the state was mentioned. The UK is big government, especially north of London where state spending dominates local economies. 45% of my wage going out as I was getting paid would certainly feel like a big state. You just don't notice it's a big state because you've led an insular life (or you probably don't care if it is big as you've never ran a business, or even paid the higher tax band). I could write a lot about how the Asian economies are developing but I wouldn't want to bore ye anymore - I think you'd prefer to form an opinion without putting any effort in, etc.
Live on the Isle of Man and calls me insular Unlike you, I've worked for Government, both local and national, I've worked for various political parties as well as socio-economic and environmental movements and I actually get off my arse and get involved in things, rather than sitting in front of a computer bleating about this and that because you've read a few books written by economists and philosophers as well as boring ****e on the internet. Insular Hinting that you're paying the top rate of tax because you somehow think it'll impress me Is that enough s?
The whole purpose of government in a democracy is to protect the weak from the strong, and to ensure that everyone's interests have value, not only those of the privileged few. That's why the motto above the Old Bailey reads "To Protect The Children of the Poor", the point being that the children of the rich don't need protection. If Government over reaches itself and begins interfering in aspects of peoples lives where it has no business getting involved, then obviously it needs reining back. But to say less govt is always good and more govt always bad is an argument in favour letting the rich **** the poor without restraint, not to mention letting us all **** the planet.
The Isle of Man is a small state (in number of people and the actual relative size of the state per head of population), Malta was a big state, Guernsey is a small state, the UK is a big state - I've experienced a range of states and I prefer small. You got paid by the state, you try to run the state, of course you are going to be a cheerleader of the state - your wage is taxed from people who actually produce commerce - I get that you'd like it as you directly benefit from taxing other people's work. I've lived in a council house and I've lived in mansion (in Guernsey) - I've worked in KFC and I'm a director in a listed company. I have friends on benefits and I have friends who are millionaires. I've formed many of my opinions from getting outside the group I was born into and seeing a bit of the world. I could copy and paste your conspiracy theory opinions from the comments section of the Guardian. Nice extra edit to the post, really adds to your contribution
You know, it's ironic. You remind me of those middle-class kids you meet at Uni who read a few books on whatever topic they're studying and think they're experts and think roughing it for a few years in student digs is "like, pyoor real man!". It's clear to anyone reading what you wrote above that most of your experiences of the real are world are second-hand.
Are you seriously bragging about working for the Government and political parties? Please tell me I've got that wrong.
No, not bragging. I've written on here before about what I did for the Government - it wasn't pleasant. It involved investigating domestic/child abuse allegations. It was merely a retort to a man who makes his living separating poor people with gambling addictions from their money.
I think you are one of these middle class people who's never actually lived a working class life, so imagine's it is poor hell. Now you spend your life trying to help people, some of whom (like me) don't actually need or want your help. Growing up where I did people had self respect and most people didn't want state handouts, they wanted the opportunity to stand on their own two feet and work for themselves. I've been consistent on here about the state providing Health care and Education to help people do that (not just patch over the problem with 'after the fact' tax credits). Oh and since you are questioning what I have just wrote (which I thought was fairly evident) I lived in the white house on the end for my first 19 years. https://www.google.com/maps/@54.609...ata=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sfeOweQKyrz_pFiTTfnfAzw!2e0 An oh here's the pool from the mansion I stayed in in Guernsey for 6 months please log in to view this image
