Inselaffen

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20090301...p-6323e80.html

bimcnorth

"Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell will pledge to ensure women, ethnic minorities, older people and the disabled are not "left behind" during the recession, according to The Independent..."

Given that these groups make up 75% of the population it´s a tall order but hardly PC stuff eh?

Inselaffen

they should be working to ensure as many people as possible keep their jobs and not single out particular groups. When they do that yes it does become PC.

bimcnorth

That´s the failure of democracy for you, you get a vote and suddenly there will be people looking for your vote by promising stuff that will undermine your position in the end.

lanarkwitch

If I was a young, white guy, I'd be pissed hearing that one

Hello.Kitty

"a life on benefits with literally no help or support."

Er, I think that's a bit of a contradiction in terms!

I also like the nice dig at "tory recessions"... yeah, 'cos labour recessions are going to be completely different!

admon

I don't understand why this statement is a surprise to anyone, seeing as the Uk has been playing the minority policy for well over a decade now.

nottmbantam

I actually thought this link on the same news page was far more entertaining....

'Fat Chav Insurance Claim'

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20090219/...d-45dbed5.html

The Dean

Come on Bantam - keep up..............

That was the topic in a thread I started weeks ago............

Charismatic

But the poor dears need excuses or we'd be forced to admit that humans differ in behaviour traits and personalities. This runs against a socialist ideology and agenda of equality amongst people through the promotion of mediocrity.

Once you start to believe that Comrade Kitty it’s a slippery slope...soon you’ll be encouraging folk to reach their full potential. Perhaps start to believe that the economic reward of individuals achieved through hard work and personal sacrifice should benefit those who make the sacrifices required. Is that the kind of society you would wish for? One that the decadent capitalist pigs would wish for and promote, welcoming with open arms dangerous influences such as individuality and creativity.

Hello.Kitty

Indeed, indeed, Comrade Charismatic... we especially wouldn't want the idea of "making a contribution to society through personal achievement" becoming a widespread concept! Gosh... we cringe at the consequences!

nottmbantam

D'oh.

I always been a little slow.... does that put me in a minority? ( As if I wasn't before )

Sky Blue

Oh the good people who are in important positions, the key players, Bank Co's, Traders and the like the ones who are individual and creative, they only care about themeselves and find creative ways of screwing the system for everyone else... There are about 100 examples of late... Is that what you mean?

Charismatic

It is rather a trait of humans that we make mistakes and feel reassured because lots of others make them as well. Business, politics, religion, fashion etc. all suffer from this problem. Even the governments leading economists felt safe 18 months ago, in retrospect we can see that low interest rates to stimulate economic growth after the .com bubble burst had a massive impact on mortgages and caused an asset bubble in housing that banks fed into.

The point is though very few people where complaining about corperate responsibility a few years ago in relation to banks trading credit derivatives. Calling for blood now is just crying over spilled milk.

We'll probably make the same mistake again in 10 to 20 years time but it'll be another asset .

Sky Blue

Asset for who?

I think the problem lies in the fact labour tried to kiss big business, the banks, BoE and all and sundry's backside and failed to actually regulate and look after the economy...

Yes people make mistakes - what world are you living in? New Zealand!!!!

Let me know the next time you see a perfect human being, I'd like to meet them...

The issue is recognising a mistake and learning from it.

I think governments hav a duty of care to make sure that those who are worst affected by the recession are looked after and are given a means to get through it...