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Re: The Next Big election: May 2016.

Posted: Thu 21 Jan, 2016 15.02
by barcode
Because of PR? also I not happy with the SNP, nor a many others.

Re: The Next Big election: May 2016.

Posted: Thu 21 Jan, 2016 15.14
by all new Phil
What's so undemocratic about this country? We have a majority government. You can't bleat that it's undemocratic and unfair just because your side didn't win. I'm sure you'd be happy had the Lab and Con numbers been the other way round at the election.

Fwiw I really don't think things are anywhere near as bad as you and a lot of people make out. Certainly in my own personal experience - my whole family is in employment (after several being unemployed in the past), my sister has set up her own business, the company I work for has moved away from being a minimum wage employer to paying significantly above, my dad has been successfully treated for cancer, I've got a nephew doing an apprenticeship, a niece at university. Things like this are the real life reasons why I don't buy all this negativity from the left. I'm not saying everything is perfect, and I'm sorry if your personal circumstances aren't as good, but it simply isn't the case that everyone is suffering and praying for a "glimmer of hope".

Re: The Next Big election: May 2016.

Posted: Thu 21 Jan, 2016 16.12
by Martin Phillp
all new Phil wrote:What's so undemocratic about this country? We have a majority government. You can't bleat that it's undemocratic and unfair just because your side didn't win. I'm sure you'd be happy had the Lab and Con numbers been the other way round at the election.

Fwiw I really don't think things are anywhere near as bad as you and a lot of people make out. Certainly in my own personal experience - my whole family is in employment (after several being unemployed in the past), my sister has set up her own business, the company I work for has moved away from being a minimum wage employer to paying significantly above, my dad has been successfully treated for cancer, I've got a nephew doing an apprenticeship, a niece at university. Things like this are the real life reasons why I don't buy all this negativity from the left. I'm not saying everything is perfect, and I'm sorry if your personal circumstances aren't as good, but it simply isn't the case that everyone is suffering and praying for a "glimmer of hope".
I doubt you'd be saying that if for some unfortunate reason you're either disabled and/or poor by no choice, having to live by using a food bank, living in social housing and had your housing benefit cut because of the nonsensical spare room subsidy or can't afford your own home even though you work every hour possible.

The poorest in society are not being helped by this government or the coalition before them, it's subtle social exclusion.

Re: The Next Big election: May 2016.

Posted: Thu 21 Jan, 2016 16.57
by bilky asko
all new Phil wrote:What's so undemocratic about this country? We have a majority government. You can't bleat that it's undemocratic and unfair just because your side didn't win. I'm sure you'd be happy had the Lab and Con numbers been the other way round at the election.

Fwiw I really don't think things are anywhere near as bad as you and a lot of people make out. Certainly in my own personal experience - my whole family is in employment (after several being unemployed in the past), my sister has set up her own business, the company I work for has moved away from being a minimum wage employer to paying significantly above, my dad has been successfully treated for cancer, I've got a nephew doing an apprenticeship, a niece at university. Things like this are the real life reasons why I don't buy all this negativity from the left. I'm not saying everything is perfect, and I'm sorry if your personal circumstances aren't as good, but it simply isn't the case that everyone is suffering and praying for a "glimmer of hope".
One can only agree with you about our government being democratic if one also agrees with the notion that FPTP is democratic.

Re: The Next Big election: May 2016.

Posted: Thu 21 Jan, 2016 21.47
by all new Phil
Martin Phillp wrote:
all new Phil wrote:What's so undemocratic about this country? We have a majority government. You can't bleat that it's undemocratic and unfair just because your side didn't win. I'm sure you'd be happy had the Lab and Con numbers been the other way round at the election.

Fwiw I really don't think things are anywhere near as bad as you and a lot of people make out. Certainly in my own personal experience - my whole family is in employment (after several being unemployed in the past), my sister has set up her own business, the company I work for has moved away from being a minimum wage employer to paying significantly above, my dad has been successfully treated for cancer, I've got a nephew doing an apprenticeship, a niece at university. Things like this are the real life reasons why I don't buy all this negativity from the left. I'm not saying everything is perfect, and I'm sorry if your personal circumstances aren't as good, but it simply isn't the case that everyone is suffering and praying for a "glimmer of hope".
I doubt you'd be saying that if for some unfortunate reason you're either disabled and/or poor by no choice, having to live by using a food bank, living in social housing and had your housing benefit cut because of the nonsensical spare room subsidy or can't afford your own home even though you work every hour possible.

The poorest in society are not being helped by this government or the coalition before them, it's subtle social exclusion.
The point I'm making is that members of my family have been lifted out of poverty over the last few years. I'm not saying that everyone is rolling in money or has amazing jobs, but I'd possibly suggest that to be reliant on food banks and benefits, at a time of record employment levels, is more a sign of a lack of personal ambition than the fault of the government.

And don't read that as me being a Tory - if anything I've drifted more towards liberal over the past few years. I agree with some of the things the tories have done, but they're a shower of shite with other things.

Re: The Next Big election: May 2016.

Posted: Thu 21 Jan, 2016 22.17
by WillPS
all new Phil wrote:What's so undemocratic about this country? We have a majority government. You can't bleat that it's undemocratic and unfair just because your side didn't win. I'm sure you'd be happy had the Lab and Con numbers been the other way round at the election.

Fwiw I really don't think things are anywhere near as bad as you and a lot of people make out. Certainly in my own personal experience - my whole family is in employment (after several being unemployed in the past), my sister has set up her own business, the company I work for has moved away from being a minimum wage employer to paying significantly above, my dad has been successfully treated for cancer, I've got a nephew doing an apprenticeship, a niece at university. Things like this are the real life reasons why I don't buy all this negativity from the left. I'm not saying everything is perfect, and I'm sorry if your personal circumstances aren't as good, but it simply isn't the case that everyone is suffering and praying for a "glimmer of hope".
The Tories received 37% of the popular vote, and yet have total control over everything (in England at least) for 5 fixed years.

To put that another way, 63% of people who voted are effectively disenfranchised; regardless of whether or not they are represented.

I'm glad your family is doing well. I genuinely hope none ever face serious mental health issues or other disabilities.

Open your eyes man.

Re: The Next Big election: May 2016.

Posted: Thu 21 Jan, 2016 22.36
by all new Phil
I'm glad your family is doing well. I genuinely hope none ever face serious mental health issues or other disabilities.
My dad is a wheelchair user, but thanks for your concern.

Re: The Next Big election: May 2016.

Posted: Thu 21 Jan, 2016 22.37
by Martin Phillp
all new Phil wrote: I'm not saying that everyone is rolling in money or has amazing jobs, but I'd possibly suggest that to be reliant on food banks and benefits, at a time of record employment levels, is more a sign of a lack of personal ambition than the fault of the government.
Tell that to the people who have died because of the Work Capacity Assessment for Employment and Support Allowance or those struggling from unfair sanctions on Jobseekers Allowance.

These are not lazy people who Channel 4/5 and Murdoch would like you to believe, but hard working people who have had bad experiences in life. To say it's a "lack of personal ambition" is nothing short of offensive.

Re: The Next Big election: May 2016.

Posted: Thu 21 Jan, 2016 22.44
by WillPS
all new Phil wrote:
I'm glad your family is doing well. I genuinely hope none ever face serious mental health issues or other disabilities.
My dad is a wheelchair user, but thanks for your concern.
Obviously you have a handle on how hard life is for those unable to work through poor health then.

Re: The Next Big election: May 2016.

Posted: Thu 21 Jan, 2016 22.45
by WillPS
Martin Phillp wrote:
all new Phil wrote: I'm not saying that everyone is rolling in money or has amazing jobs, but I'd possibly suggest that to be reliant on food banks and benefits, at a time of record employment levels, is more a sign of a lack of personal ambition than the fault of the government.
Tell that to the people who have died because of the Work Capacity Assessment for Employment and Support Allowance or those struggling from unfair sanctions on Jobseekers Allowance.

These are not lazy people who Channel 4/5 and Murdoch would like you to believe, but hard working people who have had bad experiences in life. To say it's a "lack of personal ambition" is nothing short of offensive.
Here here.

Re: The Next Big election: May 2016.

Posted: Thu 21 Jan, 2016 22.55
by WillPS
more a sign of a lack of personal ambition than the fault of the government.
fuck it, I'll take the bate.

Two people very close to me have suffered from anxiety and depression for 6+ years. Both badly want help to get them out of the situation, and have been failed in terms of NHS provision to different levels (postcode lottery). Imagine *positively fearing* walking to the end of your street. Imagine for a fucking second how that might feel, and that might impact on your fucking "personal ambition".

Still, at least you're alright.