Off Topic Political Debate

If you remember I said that I could imagine living in Switzerland (the same could be said for a number of other countries) - this was in reply to someone else. The reasons were not given and could have as much to do with mountains as anything else, and it was not necessarily a 'political`choice. Think of Switzerland's location during World War 2 - completely surrounded by belligerent states - yes it is true that Nazi riches ended up there but by the same token thousands of Jews and other opponents of the Nazis escaped via Switzerland or were protected there. I admire the Swiss democracy and their regionalism. I admire their levels of political involvement. I also admire the fact that there appears to be very much less difference between rich and poor there than I have seen in Germany or England. I also respect the way of thinking - constant use of referendums, political power from below (the Cantons). I also respect the fact that they have never invaded anyone - and that theirs was the first democracy. Rousseau's social contract was written with the state of Geneva in mind. I do not respect their banks - but , as they say, 2 out of 3 ain't bad.

 

Another sad but true story...and read the last bit in bold... what a tragedy....:



It’s official – stress and pressure caused by the Bedroom Tax pushed grandmother Stephanie Bottrill into taking her own life.
Zafar Siddique, coroner for Birmingham and Solihull, said he was “satisfied she intended to take her own life” after hearing evidence that Mrs Bottrill had blamed the government’s Bedroom Tax policy for pushing her to suicide in a note she left at her Meriden Drive, Kingshurst, home before walking across the M6 motorway into a collision with a lorry early on May 4, 2013.
The coroner also heard evidence from Dr Bindu Nair, who saw the former postal worker the day before her death after Mrs Bottrill’s daughter-in-law, concerned for her safety, made an appointment.
Dr Nair said Mrs Bottrill had “expressed unhappiness at being pushed by the housing department to make a decision, in half an hour, in reference to being made to move into a smaller property”.
He added that Ms Bottrill was “happy to move but it was the way in which she was forced to make a decision” which had caused her “considerable anxiety and stress”.
Unmentioned in the report is the fact that Mrs Bottrill was found to be exempt from the Bedroom Tax (also called the State Under-Occupation Charge) under the Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (Consequential Provisions) Regulations 2006, because she had been living at her address since before January 1996.

 

erm.... sad but true! They voted in the wrong one!

 

Well N W Leeds has Mulholland LD with a 8,000 majority. We now think that is marginal.... many people voted lib dem to keep the tories out and will not do so again.... the Tory vote up here will be split with a couple of thousand going to UKIP... so Labour looking strong.

I am Green... this month ( ).... so not sure whether to vote tactically or not....

 

All well and good but Switzerland is synonymous for its lax banking laws. The money made through keeping secret accounts has financially underpinned the rest of Swiss society. They did not care where or how the funds originated. They knew a lot of the money was dodgy but turned a blind eye.
Ignoring the bad stuff is like saying Hitler wasn't all bad because he was kind to his mother.

 

When will you get it into your brain that I am not defending every aspect of Swiss society - I simply said in an aside that I could imagine living there. I have many friends there - speak both German and Swiss German and have spent many happy times there so just leave it at that, and move on to your next theme (if you have one !)

 

I'm sure many people have happy times there whilst stuffing their pockets with cash to take back home. I just find it strange that an anti capitalist is so cool regarding tax evasion and proceeds of crime etc.

 

Move On!!!!!!!

 

Is this guy just not a troll who delights in making inflammatory remarks whilst pretending to be a WFC fan??

 

Are you?

 

No. He is clearly a believer in what he argues - however badly he does that - and has everyone on here sniping at him, threatening to ban him for doing what others do to him. He is a bit of a WUM - enjoying that aspect more than giving reasoned arguments. At least he does not post Daily Mirror articles or two year old stories that are totally subjective. In this debate Yorkie you have shown bright red colours with a green tint. Allow him his blue.
It is a totally unfounded and undeserved slur to question his support of Watford - one thing he has been consistent on is that. I am very surprised in this that your usual reasoned self appears to have deserted you.

 

All right Superhorns. What is your ideal country?

 

Leo, I think you would need to back track here and look at all of his posts on here. He has either insulted, belittled or made snide remarks at 4-5 posters on here up to this point. I can cope with someone having different politics to my own - and we have a wide range of ideas on here, but we generally respect each other at the same time - I would like to keep it that way.

 

Cologne - I totally agree with what you say - he is a WUM and also insults people - but is the correct response to insult him ? Also it is in my nature to defend anyone who others gang up on - I am sure your debating skills are more than enough to defend yourself and put him in his place without needing others to leap to your defence. The way to deal with him is simply to make your case transparent - the rest of us can see how he behaves. However for the rest of the day I only want to think Watford - COYH

 

The UK

 

I'm not sure some of you guys want a political forum. The majority prefer some kind of left wing appreciation society. It does seem you can insult the right as much as you like and get away with it.

Thanks Leo, I have supported the hornets home and many games since 1967 so have earned my stripes as a Watford fan.

 

Superhorns, I congratulate you. Your manner of arguing has had more influence in turning people on here to the left than I could ever do.

 

If they have then they must lack any logic whatsoever. The majority of the public do not have the interest, nous or knowledge to make a reasoned choice otherwise the tories would be miles ahead in the polls.

I'm not sure one of the lefties calling a tory MP a whore is any kind of debating that I am used to.

 

Leo - I threatened to ban SH as he kept comparing Cologne to a Nazi. To be frank he has embarked on a vendetta against Cologne since he came on to this thread.

I agree that he has had some abuse and I did ask people to stop name calling. Personally speaking, and I know others will back me, I do not think his debating style is always in keeping with the spirit of this forum.

 

Can you please reread my posts I have never compared Cologne to a Nazi - utterly ridiculous. The vendetta description is also completely wrong. I have challenge his mythical socialist views especially as his preferred country to live in does seem to be at odds with his views. I restate my assertion above that only left wing views are really tolerated on this forum, if they cannot be challenged then there is no point in having a political thread.