Is anybody actually watching?

[Richard Tarleton]

I don't think Crick can have had any opinion at all about Wood, Sturgeon or Bennett, or even Farage.

Well obviously not. Nobody is claiming he did. The words Collins quotes from Crick are nevertheless relevant today.

What you appear to mean is that Collins wrenches Crick's opinions expressed in 1964 into the service of what he, Collins, regards as proper politics today.

That's one way of putting it . I'd say he was reflecting on the nature of the new politics on display today, as many others are doing. Coalition (and here I'm not quoting Collins) means compromise and accommodation, as we've seen, and this is not easy when the potential partners are committed to non-compromise.

[teamsaint]

PM yesterday was interesting

So many of the so called "statistics" quoted in the debate (HIV etc) are simply made up nonsense.

Like the ones about everybody living to 100 years old, which are another lie to get pension ages up.
And how much tax the rich pay, ( which never mention how much income they have, or how little their companies pay.)

[jean]

And how much tax the rich pay, (which never mention how much income they have...)

Yes that's a good trick - it's always expressed as percentages, 1% of the population paying some very much larger percentage of the total tax take.

But we really are living a lot longer than when old-age pensions were first thought of...I aim to be drawing mine for at least 35 years, which wasn't what was envisaged. What is to be done?

[jean]

I'd say he was reflecting on the nature of the new politics on display today, as many others are doing. Coalition (and here I'm not quoting Collins) means compromise and accommodation, as we've seen, and this is not easy when the potential partners are committed to non-compromise.

I think you may have failed to notice Nick Clegg's famous abandonment of the non-negotiable during his coalition phase.

And the political situation is quite different now from when Crick was writing.

(Can you sort your quotes out please? You've got me saying things I didn't say.)

[P. G. Tipps]

MrGG, I'd already read that article ....

Good Heavens, from the comments at the end Catholics have different views about politics like any other group of individuals. A quite stunning revelation!! Even more stunning that some can get so het-up over the pre-election witterings of a vote-conscious politician?

However, I think the point you make about the sad death of Cameron's disabled son is a bit unfair. He only brings that into a discussion when he is accused of being 'heartless' and 'not caring about the NHS, patient suffering' etc, etc.

It is the obvious answer to such cruel, ignorant comments and is therefore wholly relevant imv.

[teamsaint]

Yes that's a good trick - it's always expressed as percentages, 1% of the population paying some very much larger percentage of the total tax take.

But we really are living a lot longer than when old-age pensions were first thought of...I aim to be drawing mine for at least 35 years, which wasn't what was envisaged. What is to be done?

Well, I agree that it is an issue that needs addressing. But statying from some honest positions would be helpful.

more efforts towards helping phased retirements / shorter working weeks for older workers would be progressive.

[ahinton]

An official loan/mortgage is a contract between a lender and borrower following a signed agreement by both.

Neither party is forced to enter into such an agreement. There are risks to both (as well as possible huge advantages) as the crash demonstrated all too well. I wonder how many of us complained about the 'enormously rich and powerful banks' when they lent us the money to buy our first house and which eventually gave us something of significant value to pass onto our kids or donate to charities, something we could never have even dreamt of, otherwise ? Nobody, as far as I'm aware.

It's really that simple.

It so, what is the alternative, in your view? Mass homelessness, as ts suggests?

[Anastasius]

So what's the alternative, especially bearing in mind that increases in property values usually signal rent rises?

It all comes down to personal choice in the end. Or free housing by the State. We can all live in the same grey boxes, wear the same grey clothes and eat the same gruel. Of course, those 'in charge' and their cronies will do better. Look at all those egalitarian communist countries where there is no nepotism or corruption.

[MrGongGong]

However, I think the point you make about the sad death of Cameron's disabled son is a bit unfair. He only brings that into a discussion when he is accused of being 'heartless' and 'not caring about the NHS, patient suffering' etc, etc.
.

I fundamentally disagree
nuff said

[MrGongGong]

It all comes down to personal choice in the end. Or free housing by the State. We can all live in the same grey boxes, wear the same grey clothes and eat the same gruel. Of course, those 'in charge' and their cronies will do better. Look at all those egalitarian communist countries where there is no nepotism or corruption.

You really have bought the false dichotomy haven't you

There are more things possible than you or I might imagine ()

[P. G. Tipps]

It so, what is the alternative, in your view? Mass homelessness, as ts suggests?

Are you suggesting that there is mass homelessness, now ... ?

[P. G. Tipps]

I fundamentally disagree
nuff said

[Anastasius]

You really have bought the false dichotomy haven't you

There are more things possible than you or I might imagine ()

Like nailing jelly to a tree ?

[MrGongGong]

Like nailing jelly to a tree ?

easy




Why do people engaged in politics seem to have an imagination bypass ?

[Frances_iom]

easy
Why do people engaged in politics seem to have an imagination bypass ?

The latest smear against the SNP is truly imaginative - however shows that the Tories have adopted USA style smear tactics and now even adenoidal kid is repeating it but then he has the most (if not all) Scottish seats to lose - which he will if the smear is shown to be a Torygraph plant).