Off Topic The Politics Thread

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Should the UK remain a part of the EU or leave?

  • Stay in

    Votes: 56 47.9%
  • Get out

    Votes: 61 52.1%

  • Total voters
    117
  • Poll closed .
Capitalism with the right checks and balances is the answer. Society must promote aspiration and reward, but the most successful must plough plenty back to grass roots.

I agree with this. I wouldn't want to demolish Capitalism, I'd want to control it better and to exclude it from areas where it doesn't belong - natural monopolies such as the utilities and railways. It's the levels of checks and balances (including taxation) that would provide the fairness that Col says he wants to see and where you and I would disagree, I suspect.
 
I've said repeatedly that I don't have the answer.
Something that makes society fairer.

You?
We have a majority labour government here that can change nz for the better or worse on its own without interference from any other coalition party for the first time since I've been here
It's doing nothing
Tinkering at the edges
A once in a generation chance to do things
No one can stop them and they are doing nothing
If they have no ideas after all that time sniping from opposition then there's no point asking me
 
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I can't come up with a viable alternative but I now firmly believe that Capitalism isn't the answer.
We're having to fight tooth and nail for Mrs Rangercol's mum to get the right care following her stroke, having obstacles put in our way at every turn to prevent various organisations having to part with any money.
Meanwhile, there's an obscene amount of money sloshing around at the top end of society, with big pharmaceuticals making billions out of a pandemic and other massive companies and rich individuals making so much money that they'll never need it all.
Politicians lie about almost everything and there doesn't seem to me to be a solution.

All my best Col, must be an absolutely frustrating time, just hope you manage to get something sorted.
 
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All well and good in theory, but is failing in my opinion.
As I say, I have no solutions and readily admit that what we're going through at the moment is very much affecting my thinking.

The acid test is to identify another system used around the world that's better. If there is none, then we use what we've got and work to improve it. Part of that will be prreparing well for the next pandemic.

I do hope things go well for your mother in law and your family
 
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I agree with this. I wouldn't want to demolish Capitalism, I'd want to control it better and to exclude it from areas where it doesn't belong - natural monopolies such as the utilities and railways. It's the levels of checks and balances (including taxation) that would provide the fairness that Col says he wants to see and where you and I would disagree, I suspect.

If you take water, I remember the Thames before privatisation. It was so full of chemicals, nothing could live in it. Money from privatised companies formed part of the solution. But privatised companies have to be monitored and regulated efficiently, and that's where things must improve. You cannot allow these companies to exist in an environment like the Wild West.
 
Boris just slapped down Rayner. Seriously what a hopeless response by the opposition… especially discussing this country’s diagnostics! Jesus I know S##t about all our capabilities but I do know we have been doing well regarding diagnostics as I bloody heard an expert talk about it. I’m glad Boris reminded her… especially the line “The only reason you had the chance to be here was because the testing is working”. <laugh>
 
More bullshit from our PM at pmqs.
The question that keeps getting avoided is what would have happened if we had taken Labour’s position by closing down the country?
Forget the Boris BS, where is the opposition?
 
The question that keeps getting avoided is what would have happened if we had taken Labour’s position by closing down the country?
Forget the Boris BS, where is the opposition?

So forget Johnson failing to address what’s happening.. we should concentrate on something that’s not happening from people who were in no position to make it happen.
 
So forget Johnson failing to address what’s happening.. we should concentrate on something that’s not happening from people who were in no position to make it happen.
I know, what a strange stance to take. There really needs to be a 'fact check' officer present at all PMQs.
 
The question that keeps getting avoided is what would have happened if we had taken Labour’s position by closing down the country?
Forget the Boris BS, where is the opposition?

Labour doesn't have a position, remember? Captain Hindsight and all that?

It was SAGE (aka 'The Science') that wanted action, and the ERG (or whatever they're called now) that didn't.
 
Labour doesn't have a position, remember? Captain Hindsight and all that?

It was SAGE (aka 'The Science') that wanted action, and the ERG (or whatever they're called now) that didn't.
When did labour call for the country to go into lockdown? I totally missed that!