I wish I had been able to write as well as that, and capture the times as well as he is able to do. Every word resonates with me, and it is also woven into what I think is the right wing approach that it is every man for himself and the devil take the hindmost. I have been very reluctant to say anything on the tower block fire thread, it seems inappropriate right now, but a gentler analogy is the notion that authorities turn off street lights, fucking street lights for God sake, not to make stargazing easier but to save money. As the article says 'The market' is a concept revered by many, and that idea dominates most of western society, and it leads to saving fucking two quid on cladding material.
Norway is lovely, it is also one of the most heavily taxed nations in the world. Roughly 45% of GDP, twice that of the USA (think we are about 32%?). It's also asset rich in more than just oil.
Well it's not in the top 25 countries in the world for taxes on business.
Norway is lovely, it is also one of the most heavily taxed nations in the world. Roughly 45% of GDP, twice that of the USA (think we are about 32%?). It's also asset rich in more than just oil.
Sounds OK. Looks as if people will pay the tax to have a progressive society. If businesses are put off then you might ask if they're the kind of businesses you would want anyway. If businesses pay 45% out of profits, the clue is in the word profits.
Not sure businesses all pay 45% think there's quite a range from low 20's, my mother in law (not technically married but heh) tried to explain the different taxes people pay but it seemed very complicated! She has a very 'normal' job and reckoned just on income it's low 40's (%) and that's before the price of goods, but property out of the main towns is very cheap compared to the UK. She mentioned another tax they all pay which I think is the equivalent of our NI but not sure if that's in addition to or not.
It's a very different way of life. She cycles to work over 20 miles as can't afford to drive and no public transport, she's 68 by the way and retires at the end of the year. Her nearest hospital (of any size) is nearly 2 hours away.
We could always build a load of houses in the middle of nowhere but it will need a very different mindset I would say in this country before hoards of people cycle 40+ miles a day to get to work and back in their late 60's.
I do not suggest Norway is a paradise, although some of their odder practices, e.g with alcohol and store opening times, is down to a certain old religious mindset ( as my Swedish buddy who lives there has conceded, after trying to blame it on "socialism")
The key point is what they did with the oil bonanza, compared with what we dd, and the direct relationship with our current inadequate medical and social care, and people in poverty, compared with Norway.
The certainly have a much higher standard of living overall and manage to care for each other better than we do. It is for others to identify why that is.
David Davis apparently being lined up by backbenchers and rebels as the next Tory leader. Great news in terms of hopefully that kills may's internet security hard on as davis is a libertarian, but he doesn't strike me with confidence.
I suspect this is smoke and mirrors. At least I hope so. Davis would be an even worse Prime Minister than May. At least Theresa May appeared competent before she took over. Davis on the other hand...
"He who wields the knife never wears the crown". I think we're in stalking horse territory next. A blinking, swiverl-eyes backbencher will be put up to challenge May. She'll accept, see him off, but be mortally damaged in so doing, allowing a vacuum in which anyone who wants to challenge Boris will be encouraged to do so.
I always enjoy listening to Conservative voters decrying Labour for bribing voters. Back in the eighties, the conservative dogma was privatise everything possible, use the money raised plus the left overs from north sea oil to offer lower taxes to the electorate, thus guaranteeing another four years in power. The lower taxes may have stimulated some growth, but there were recessions, and NHS funding plus education and welfare spending have been under seige ever since. But sadly, it's only when people need their hospitals that the waiting lists become personal.
That's a very good point and an opportunity to remind ourselves about the North Sea Oil bonanza. The Norwegians benefitted too because the fields partly fell in their territory. Instead of spunking the oil wealth away, as we did, they have parked large amounts of it in their Sovereign Wealth Fund. Today you can see the results. I know a bit about Norway ( I've been inside an old people's home in Oslo, which is funded from general taxation. It wanted for nothing.). I cannot think of a single aspect of public policy where Britain has had better outcomes than Norway since the oil bonanza. It's also worth saying that if you go back to 1960 you learn that Norway was then way behind Britain on virtually every measure. A lot of people will groan but it is true; the roots of manyall of our current problems - especially housing - can be traced back to Thatcher.
Corrected that for you.
Let's be fair. She didn't privatise the railways. When it came to that one, she was frit.
Mind you she had some poison dwarf of an adviser called Alfred Sherman who argued that the railways should all be closed and paved over to create more road capacity.
Statoil are huge, I reinsure some of their platforms etc, the numbers are mind boggling. They have a rule to save each year some of the profits for the future, very sensible. All parties have long agreed to live within their means as a country.
Norway are in the top 5 exporting countries in the world on more than just gas.
We can clearly learn a lot from them but it's not all rosey. Entrepreneurs find it difficult to start companies as the tax is punishing.
They have been run as a country like a well managed company, ultimately that's why they have been successful, instead we have been run like CAFC for many years!
presumably they've more than diversified now from north sea oil as well
I think they've only got a population of some 5m odd?? so that also pushes up the quality of public services
Statoil are huge, I reinsure some of their platforms etc, the numbers are mind boggling. They have a rule to save each year some of the profits for the future, very sensible. All parties have long agreed to live within their means as a country.
Norway are in the top 5 exporting countries in the world on more than just gas.
We can clearly learn a lot from them but it's not all rosey. Entrepreneurs find it difficult to start companies as the tax is punishing.
They have been run as a country like a well managed company, ultimately that's why they have been successful, instead we have been run like CAFC for many years!
presumably they've more than diversified now from north sea oil as well
I think they've only got a population of some 5m odd?? so that also pushes up the quality of public services
Yes 5m but rising quite rapidly. Think it's oil, petroleum, wood, seafood etc, 5th largest exporter and one of the richest countries.
Not saying we couldn't learn from them but don't think it's a straight comparison despite Prague's good point on oil when they are so rich on natural resources and have such a low population. They are also very good at running a country/economy and put a lot away each year for their 'rainy day' fund. I suspect they could run closer to the wire and not charge individuals tax at all.
We have 13x the population to look after on considerably less resource. Some of the properties I've seen out there for less than 100,000 euro's are amazing, plonk one of those in Chislehurst or similar and you are looking at 5m+. Can't say I'm any sort of expert but suspect Oslo is quite expensive much like London. The cost of living in Oslo is 30% higher than London.... apparently.....
I always enjoy listening to Conservative voters decrying Labour for bribing voters. Back in the eighties, the conservative dogma was privatise everything possible, use the money raised plus the left overs from north sea oil to offer lower taxes to the electorate, thus guaranteeing another four years in power. The lower taxes may have stimulated some growth, but there were recessions, and NHS funding plus education and welfare spending have been under seige ever since. But sadly, it's only when people need their hospitals that the waiting lists become personal.
That's a very good point and an opportunity to remind ourselves about the North Sea Oil bonanza. The Norwegians benefitted too because the fields partly fell in their territory. Instead of spunking the oil wealth away, as we did, they have parked large amounts of it in their Sovereign Wealth Fund. Today you can see the results. I know a bit about Norway ( I've been inside an old people's home in Oslo, which is funded from general taxation. It wanted for nothing.). I cannot think of a single aspect of public policy where Britain has had better outcomes than Norway since the oil bonanza. It's also worth saying that if you go back to 1960 you learn that Norway was then way behind Britain on virtually every measure. A lot of people will groan but it is true; the roots of manyall of our current problems - especially housing - can be traced back to Thatcher.
Corrected that for you.
Let's be fair. She didn't privatise the railways. When it came to that one, she was frit.
Mind you she had some poison dwarf of an adviser called Alfred Sherman who argued that the railways should all be closed and paved over to create more road capacity.
Still no deal between the Tories and DUP... the longer this goes on...
But Theresa May is a really good negotiator. So I am sure it will be sorted out well before the Queen's Speech tomorrow morning. After all, she wouldn't want to look incompetent or chaotic. Would she?
Still no deal between the Tories and DUP... the longer this goes on...
But Theresa May is a really good negotiator. So I am sure it will be sorted out well before the Queen's Speech tomorrow morning. After all, she wouldn't want to look incompetent or chaotic. Would she?
I reckon the DUP are just chancing their arm as much as possible - they know that the Queens Speech absolutely has to go ahead tomorrow or that really will be it for May so they have maximum leverage over the next 12 hours. The deal will be done but on God know what terms. What this says about the governments ability to negotiate with 27 other nations when they can't even do a deal within their own is horrifying to think about.
Still no deal between the Tories and DUP... the longer this goes on...
But Theresa May is a really good negotiator. So I am sure it will be sorted out well before the Queen's Speech tomorrow morning. After all, she wouldn't want to look incompetent or chaotic. Would she?
I reckon the DUP are just chancing their arm as much as possible - they know that the Queens Speech absolutely has to go ahead tomorrow or that really will be it for May so they have maximum leverage over the next 12 hours. The deal will be done but on God know what terms. What this says about the governments ability to negotiate with 27 other nations when they can't even do a deal within their own is horrifying to think about.
Let alone acting as joint referee in the Northern Ireland peace process. Coalition of chaos is the bumbiter of the year.
If she had half a brain she would call their bluff and go ahead without them - they would then have to choose whether to help Corbyn or not. I shouldn't be advising her but the stupid cow needs it. Peace needs it too. The minute a deal is agreed the tories are toast in the next election.
Still no deal between the Tories and DUP... the longer this goes on...
But Theresa May is a really good negotiator. So I am sure it will be sorted out well before the Queen's Speech tomorrow morning. After all, she wouldn't want to look incompetent or chaotic. Would she?
I reckon the DUP are just chancing their arm as much as possible - they know that the Queens Speech absolutely has to go ahead tomorrow or that really will be it for May so they have maximum leverage over the next 12 hours. The deal will be done but on God know what terms. What this says about the governments ability to negotiate with 27 other nations when they can't even do a deal within their own is horrifying to think about.
DUP trying to get a 5-0 lead should Linfield play Celtic on the 12th July in Belfast in the 2nd round of the CL qualifier.
Still no deal between the Tories and DUP... the longer this goes on...
But Theresa May is a really good negotiator. So I am sure it will be sorted out well before the Queen's Speech tomorrow morning. After all, she wouldn't want to look incompetent or chaotic. Would she?
I reckon the DUP are just chancing their arm as much as possible - they know that the Queens Speech absolutely has to go ahead tomorrow or that really will be it for May so they have maximum leverage over the next 12 hours. The deal will be done but on God know what terms. What this says about the governments ability to negotiate with 27 other nations when they can't even do a deal within their own is horrifying to think about.
DUP trying to get a 5-0 lead should Linfield play Celtic on the 12th July in Belfast in the 2nd round of the CL qualifier.
Would you believe that there is some talk of moving the fixture, if necessary?
It's feckin' political correctness and elfin safety gone mad, I believe....
Please answer without using the words Corbyn or Labour.
I used to. The main problem she has is that her USP, if you like, was her ability to look almost like a headmistress, a safe, authoritive pair of hands, something she could portray herself as if she had won the landslide. Instead it's like all the naughty children have just thrown a party in her office and left an unwanted present on her desk.
Now, it's got to the point where people are legitimately able to use her own slogans against her "coalition of chaos" etc.
She's gone from headmistress to headless chicken in the space of a few weeks...
Still though, I like her because she's not Corbyn or Labour.... ;-)
Please answer without using the words Corbyn or Labour.
I used to. The main problem she has is that her USP, if you like, was her ability to look almost like a headmistress, a safe, authoritive pair of hands, something she could portray herself as if she had won the landslide. Instead it's like all the naughty children have just thrown a party in her office and left an unwanted present on her desk.
Now, it's got to the point where people are legitimately able to use her own slogans against her "coalition of chaos" etc.
She's gone from headmistress to headless chicken in the space of a few weeks...
Still though, I like her because she's not Corbyn or Labour.... ;-)
Can I ask what was it about her running of the Home Office that led to you believing she was a safe pair of hands?
Please answer without using the words Corbyn or Labour.
I used to. The main problem she has is that her USP, if you like, was her ability to look almost like a headmistress, a safe, authoritive pair of hands, something she could portray herself as if she had won the landslide. Instead it's like all the naughty children have just thrown a party in her office and left an unwanted present on her desk.
Now, it's got to the point where people are legitimately able to use her own slogans against her "coalition of chaos" etc.
She's gone from headmistress to headless chicken in the space of a few weeks...
Still though, I like her because she's not Corbyn or Labour.... ;-)
Can I ask what was it about her running of the Home Office that led to you believing she was a safe pair of hands?
He said "look like a safe pair of hands".
Which I should fair enough, she did, she was portrayed in such a way until she was put under even the tiniest bit of scrutiny.
Please answer without using the words Corbyn or Labour.
I used to. The main problem she has is that her USP, if you like, was her ability to look almost like a headmistress, a safe, authoritive pair of hands, something she could portray herself as if she had won the landslide. Instead it's like all the naughty children have just thrown a party in her office and left an unwanted present on her desk.
Now, it's got to the point where people are legitimately able to use her own slogans against her "coalition of chaos" etc.
She's gone from headmistress to headless chicken in the space of a few weeks...
Still though, I like her because she's not Corbyn or Labour.... ;-)
She was built as Thatcher 2, the bitch is back and this time it's personal, revenge of the witch, which sounded attractive ( ) to voters as we head into Brexit negotiations. She proved during the campaign that she is far being like Thatcher, especially the U turn.
I can't see how any Tory would want her to stay as leader, unless the alternatives are worse.
She is a political pygmy - who puts her party before the country. The problem is they currently have only one leader in their ranks and she would never be supported by the right of the party and isn't even an MP.
The comparison between May and Thatcher is ridiculous. Whatever anyone thought of Thatcher she was as hard as nails. May on the other hand appears to buckle under the slightest pressure.
Comments
I have been very reluctant to say anything on the tower block fire thread, it seems inappropriate right now, but a gentler analogy is the notion that authorities turn off street lights, fucking street lights for God sake, not to make stargazing easier but to save money.
As the article says 'The market' is a concept revered by many, and that idea dominates most of western society, and it leads to saving fucking two quid on cladding material.
nordic.businessinsider.com/wef-countries-with-the-highest-tax-rates-2016-9/
...nor does it seem top of the table for personal taxation either...
https://tradingeconomics.com/country-list/personal-income-tax-rate?continent=europe
...and somehow they manage to achieve this all the while linked to the EU.
It's a very different way of life. She cycles to work over 20 miles as can't afford to drive and no public transport, she's 68 by the way and retires at the end of the year. Her nearest hospital (of any size) is nearly 2 hours away.
We could always build a load of houses in the middle of nowhere but it will need a very different mindset I would say in this country before hoards of people cycle 40+ miles a day to get to work and back in their late 60's.
The key point is what they did with the oil bonanza, compared with what we dd, and the direct relationship with our current inadequate medical and social care, and people in poverty, compared with Norway.
Mind you she had some poison dwarf of an adviser called Alfred Sherman who argued that the railways should all be closed and paved over to create more road capacity.
I think they've only got a population of some 5m odd?? so that also pushes up the quality of public services
Not saying we couldn't learn from them but don't think it's a straight comparison despite Prague's good point on oil when they are so rich on natural resources and have such a low population. They are also very good at running a country/economy and put a lot away each year for their 'rainy day' fund. I suspect they could run closer to the wire and not charge individuals tax at all.
We have 13x the population to look after on considerably less resource. Some of the properties I've seen out there for less than 100,000 euro's are amazing, plonk one of those in Chislehurst or similar and you are looking at 5m+. Can't say I'm any sort of expert but suspect Oslo is quite expensive much like London. The cost of living in Oslo is 30% higher than London.... apparently.....
https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Oslo
Coalition of chaos is the bumbiter of the year.
It's feckin' political correctness and elfin safety gone mad, I believe....
Please answer without using the words Corbyn or Labour.
Now, it's got to the point where people are legitimately able to use her own slogans against her "coalition of chaos" etc.
She's gone from headmistress to headless chicken in the space of a few weeks...
Still though, I like her because she's not Corbyn or Labour.... ;-)
Which I should fair enough, she did, she was portrayed in such a way until she was put under even the tiniest bit of scrutiny.
Nothing wrong with Huskaris' post imo.
I can't see how any Tory would want her to stay as leader, unless the alternatives are worse.
Whatever anyone thought of Thatcher she was as hard as nails.
May on the other hand appears to buckle under the slightest pressure.