Current Affairs

[Kendhni]

Interesting article today and it raises in my mind again, a prediction from over 10 years ago, that this decade will see the next generation saying enough-is-enough and refusing to take on what they perceive as the previous generations debt.
https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/tory- ... 16988.html

In particular the rise in national insurance is unfair, it should have been handled using a rise in income tax (but I think the government does not want to be thought of as one that raises income tax).

[towny44]

I see things in more simplistic terms as I feel we have lost all prospective on how we evaluate different professions/jobs. We, to my mind need to take a long hard look at what value each worker’s job brings to society as a whole. We need to move away from this notion that jobs that have more intellectual requirements should be paid wages so disproportionate to that of your shopfloor worker, refuge collector or delivery driver, all of which contribute to a functional society. I’m not saying there shouldn’t be different wage structures within certain job categories but working an 8-hour day in any profession should allow for a standard of living above that of the breadline.

Theses kind of pay/pensions/handouts do nothing to make low paid workers feel that the levelling up scheme is working for them.

I am not sure that levelling up was ever intended to be about restructuring wages, I assumed it was about providing the same sort of govt investment in the regions as London.

[Onelife]

Pay structures for the Top Dogs are determined by the Board and are paid for by the shareholders which means that it is totally unrated to the shop floor worker. However if the shop floor worker is sufficiently educated and/or has the skill set and is able to take on the stress and responsibility for such a job then he or she may be given the opportunity for advancement but they will not get it because life's not fair or if they think its their turn.

Without the overpaid bod at the top driving down costs / driving up profits / determining the best strategy etc for the Company then the shop floor worker wouldn't have a job at all.

But what happens if they’re not sufficiently educated, do we just turn our backs on them and say it’s your fault for being thick…. Of course not, we just expect them to prop up their wages by visiting food banks on a weekly basis. What kind of country are we living in when we take away a person’s dignity by valuing their worth by their educational capabilities?

[Onelife]

I see things in more simplistic terms as I feel we have lost all prospective on how we evaluate different professions/jobs. We, to my mind need to take a long hard look at what value each worker’s job brings to society as a whole. We need to move away from this notion that jobs that have more intellectual requirements should be paid wages so disproportionate to that of your shopfloor worker, refuge collector or delivery driver, all of which contribute to a functional society. I’m not saying there shouldn’t be different wage structures within certain job categories but working an 8-hour day in any profession should allow for a standard of living above that of the breadline.

Theses kind of pay/pensions/handouts do nothing to make low paid workers feel that the levelling up scheme is working for them.

I am not sure that levelling up was ever intended to be about restructuring wages, I assumed it was about providing the same sort of govt investment in the regions as London.

You are correct...but I think you know where I was coming from

[Onelife]

Ken wrote...

I would suggest 2 changes.
1. all bonus payments, across the board, should be from the same pool and paid out equitably so that if the directors want their bonuses they must reward all members of staff a similar percentage.
2. benefits are capped at a percentage of minimum wage ... with minimum wage being pushed up to a living wage (and ideally beyond).

Agree…in fact I said something similar a few posts back.

[towny44]

I see things in more simplistic terms as I feel we have lost all prospective on how we evaluate different professions/jobs. We, to my mind need to take a long hard look at what value each worker’s job brings to society as a whole. We need to move away from this notion that jobs that have more intellectual requirements should be paid wages so disproportionate to that of your shopfloor worker, refuge collector or delivery driver, all of which contribute to a functional society. I’m not saying there shouldn’t be different wage structures within certain job categories but working an 8-hour day in any profession should allow for a standard of living above that of the breadline.

Theses kind of pay/pensions/handouts do nothing to make low paid workers feel that the levelling up scheme is working for them.

I am not sure that levelling up was ever intended to be about restructuring wages, I assumed it was about providing the same sort of govt investment in the regions as London.

You are correct...but I think you know where I was coming from

Yes I do, but in all seriousness what you desire is unachievable in any capitalist society. The USSR and Cuba have tried it, and all it did was to make the economy so poor that everyone suffered a compsrative decline in living standards, compared to what would have been achieved in even a mildly capitalist system.
The problem we have in the UK, and most of Western society, is that of comparisons made by workers. We all know that the vast majority in our society enjoy a better standard of living within each strata than their parents. Socialist will dispute this, but many people in the lowest strata manage without food banks, going into debt starving or freezing to death, the choices they make in their spending is what makes the difference.
However I accept that to soften the imbalance the higher earners do need to be taxed higher, probably quite a bit more than Rishi would like, but a lot less than the Labour party would propose. It does need to be gradual however if it is not to have a negative impact on our economy.

[barney]

It’s not really about individual income tax levels.
It’s already well known that a small percentage of higher earners contribute to the majority of tax.
It’s corporations that need to increase their share.
Some of the profits made are obscene by any standards.

[Kendhni]

Time for Ukraine, and rest of the world, to accept they will not join NATO and for it to re-establsh a neutrality that suits all parties. Yes it is giving into the bully boy but sometimes that is better than the alternative.

[Onelife]

I am not sure that levelling up was ever intended to be about restructuring wages, I assumed it was about providing the same sort of govt investment in the regions as London.

You are correct...but I think you know where I was coming from

Yes I do, but in all seriousness what you desire is unachievable in any capitalist society. The USSR and Cuba have tried it, and all it did was to make the economy so poor that everyone suffered a compsrative decline in living standards, compared to what would have been achieved in even a mildly capitalist system.
The problem we have in the UK, and most of Western society, is that of comparisons made by workers. We all know that the vast majority in our society enjoy a better standard of living within each strata than their parents. Socialist will dispute this, but many people in the lowest strata manage without food banks, going into debt starving or freezing to death, the choices they make in their spending is what makes the difference.
However I accept that to soften the imbalance the higher earners do need to be taxed higher, probably quite a bit more than Rishi would like, but a lot less than the Labour party would propose. It does need to be gradual however if it is not to have a negative impact on our economy.

I take onboard what you are saying John but I do think there is a fairer compromise to be had. I would also like to think that deep in our conscience there still remains a socialist who are capable of putting aside the old socialist thinking and adapt ‘under the right leadership’ to a more social Democratic way of Governance.

I disagree with your perception that… “Many people in the lowest strata manage without food banks, going into debt starving or freezing to death, the choices they make in their spending is what makes the difference”. Indeed, many thousands of low-income households are in debt, don’t have the money to heat there (In much need of repair damp) landlord owned properties….and most are in receipt of (out of sight out of mind) government survival handouts.

I’ve heard it said on many occasions about how many of us grew up on council estates, many like mine could be considered to be good housing estates, probably due to it being adjacent to an affluent area. Sadly, this isn’t the case in many urban towns where the living standards/areas fall well short of what your capitalist philology has allowed to happen.

I agree with your last paragraph and that of what Barney has said about corporations.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Time for Ukraine, and rest of the world, to accept they will not join NATO and for it to re-establsh a neutrality that suits all parties. Yes it is giving into the bully boy but sometimes that is better than the alternative.

While I understand your short term hope I don't think giving in to bullies ever has good results in the longer term.

[screwy]

Time for Ukraine, and rest of the world, to accept they will not join NATO and for it to re-establsh a neutrality that suits all parties. Yes it is giving into the bully boy but sometimes that is better than the alternative.

Agree with that Ken,the alternative is not worth thinking about.!

Ukraine has shaken off the shackles of the old Soviet Union and is progressing nicely, neutrality is the best option. I often wonder if the UK shouldn’t adopt this policy.

There is no doubt that Russia is a Bully , you only have to see the incursions their Navy and Air Force make into Uk areas.

[Onelife]

Time for Ukraine, and rest of the world, to accept they will not join NATO and for it to re-establsh a neutrality that suits all parties. Yes it is giving into the bully boy but sometimes that is better than the alternative.

I agree Ken...and if I'm being honest, I can understand why Russia feel that Ukraine joining NATO would be seen as a threat to their influence as a world power.
It doesn’t make it right but the alternative doesn’t bare thinking about.

[Manoverboard]

What kind of country are we living in when we take away a person’s dignity by valuing their worth by their educational capabilities?

Whatever you may think education is the only way to break out of the poorer end of society into something more rewarding.

Overall we live in a wonderful caring Country ... take a trip to some of the old Soviet influenced Countries like Moldova or Romanian else Albania etc to see what poverty and loss of dignity is really all about.

[Manoverboard]

There is no doubt that Russia is a Bully , you only have to see the incursions their Navy and Air Force make into Uk areas.

They do bully because they need to hold on to the resources that are to be found in abundance in many of their satellite Countries.

[Kendhni]

There is no doubt that Russia is a Bully , you only have to see the incursions their Navy and Air Force make into Uk areas.

They do bully because they need to hold on to the resources that are to be found in abundance in many of their satellite Countries.

Reminds of the statement as to why did we invade Iraq ... because our oil was under their sand.

[Kendhni]

Time for Ukraine, and rest of the world, to accept they will not join NATO and for it to re-establsh a neutrality that suits all parties. Yes it is giving into the bully boy but sometimes that is better than the alternative.

While I understand your short term hope I don't think giving in to bullies ever has good results in the longer term.

It sticks in the craw for me as well, but I can see no good outcome for anyone from this if we do not pull back. A few statements of intent and international agreement to retain the current status quo, could buy a decade or so of time that allows this to be resolved properly to the benefit and agreement of all parties.

[Manoverboard]

There is no doubt that Russia is a Bully , you only have to see the incursions their Navy and Air Force make into Uk areas.

They do bully because they need to hold on to the resources that are to be found in abundance in many of their satellite Countries.

Reminds of the statement as to why did we invade Iraq ... because our oil was under their sand.

There's a pattern emerging here ...

[Ray B]

Time for Ukraine, and rest of the world, to accept they will not join NATO and for it to re-establsh a neutrality that suits all parties. Yes it is giving into the bully boy but sometimes that is better than the alternative.

I heard on the news, that is exactly what the Ukraine representative is proposing, if they can get Russia to meet with them today.

[CaroleF]

Not about Ukraine but back in 2014 John and I were on Adonia and one of the stops was Tallin in Estonia. This was the time of the Scottish Referendum. I went on a tour in Tallin and we were escorted by a young man - mid 20s I would think - who talked to us about the political situation in Estonia. He told us that people lived with the constant worry that Russia would try to annex Estonia again. The country has been occupied in the past by the USSR and by the Germans. Much to my surprise the young man knew all about the Scottish Referendum and said that the majority of Estonians were hoping that Scotland would remain part of the United Kingdom. The reason was that Estonians thought that a united Britain would have a more powerful voice if Russia tried to occupy Estonia in the future. He said that most Estonians had a great regard for Britain. I wonder if they are more worried now about what Russia might do.

Carole

[Ray B]

I see Mr Putin had his yacht 'Graceful' sail back to Russia incase it was impounded.

[Stephen]

I see Mr Putin had his yacht 'Graceful' sail back to Russia incase it was impounded.

Yours for a snip over seventy three million.

Pocket money

[oldbluefox]

Time for Ukraine, and rest of the world, to accept they will not join NATO and for it to re-establsh a neutrality that suits all parties. Yes it is giving into the bully boy but sometimes that is better than the alternative.

I heard on the news, that is exactly what the Ukraine representative is proposing, if they can get Russia to meet with them today.

My concern is that it will avert the danger for now but will this be a temporary solution. Look what happened to Crimea. With Putin it's always a case of what next and somewhere along the line somebody has to stand up to him.

[Frank Manning]

Not about Ukraine but back in 2014 John and I were on Adonia and one of the stops was Tallin in Estonia. This was the time of the Scottish Referendum. I went on a tour in Tallin and we were escorted by a young man - mid 20s I would think - who talked to us about the political situation in Estonia. He told us that people lived with the constant worry that Russia would try to annex Estonia again. The country has been occupied in the past by the USSR and by the Germans. Much to my surprise the young man knew all about the Scottish Referendum and said that the majority of Estonians were hoping that Scotland would remain part of the United Kingdom. The reason was that Estonians thought that a united Britain would have a more powerful voice if Russia tried to occupy Estonia in the future. He said that most Estonians had a great regard for Britain. I wonder if they are more worried now about what Russia might do.

Carole

I think we were on that cruise Carol. Captain David Box. We didn't like Adonia. On a similar note I travelled to Finland often between 1975 and 1989. Finland had given the USSR something to remember them by in the Winter War, and the Fins had loads of jokes about the Russians. In course of my time I came into contact with the Russians, and was amazed by how inefficient their state systems were when buying machinery.

[Mervyn and Trish]

When we did a St Petersburg tour a few years back the guide drew our attention to the cars. She said he wise Russians bought second hand imported European cars as they were a lot more reliable than the brand new Russian built ones.

[Onelife]

Overall we live in a wonderful caring Country ...

I can’t say I’ve noticed the caring side of things but I’ll soon be putting that to the test when I park my new 30-foot motor home outside your front drive