Originally Posted by steviedeluxe (Post 10044669)

Polls are showing a defeat for Sarkozy in the French elections.
I suspect there'll be big changes soon in the Euro-zone. Still, we'll see soon enough..:unsure:

Originally Posted by Dick Dasterdly (Post 10044714)

Ever widening cracks are appearing all over the place as the monstrosity the Euro fanatics created is turning around to bite them on the arse.

No great surprise really. I always forcast it would end in tears, once they became obsessed with building some sort of single non-democratic Euro superstate.

Meanwhile over in Moscow Putin is finding it hard to keep the lid on his own personal Dictatorship and begins to look more and more like Stalin every day.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012...?newsfeed=true

Originally Posted by HBG (Post 10045279)

I've wondered at some surprising election results over the past few days, in France, Greece and London. None of them make much sense to me, until I read that we have the largest full moon for years.

Democracy is great, but we are all eventually controlled by outside forces, in this case an outsize full moon.

Originally Posted by steviedeluxe (Post 10045287)

Are they really surprising? Remember the rallying call for Clinton's election campaign "It's the economy, stupid!" Voters are rebelling at what they see as unnecessary austerity, putting their kids on a long career signing on, with no recovery in sight. No wonder they are voting for parties they think offer hope.

The only really surprising election result I can remember was John Major back in 1992.

Originally Posted by HBG (Post 10045279)

I've wondered at some surprising election results over the past few days, in France, Greece and London. None of them make much sense to me, until I read that we have the largest full moon for years.

Democracy is great, but we are all eventually controlled by outside forces, in this case an outsize full moon.

Originally Posted by Lionda (Post 10046033)

It would be nice to have the choice of voting for someone who actually cares about the running of the country ... any country ... someone who actually listens to the people :rolleyes: instead of all these career men who's only aim is getting high up on the career ladder and making as much money as they can in the process ..... we can but dream :(

Originally Posted by Domino (Post 10047551)

The last person to do that is recorded in the first 5 books of the New Testament.
Since then man's personal greed has only been eclipsed by his lack of respect for human life.

No one enters politics to sit at the back of the house and keep on pushing for the little people, they all see a career path - just that some move faster than others.

I had thought Cameron would bring a little bit of fresh air but on several occaisions have had to hold back from writing to him pointing out he is actually coming across as more accident prone than Brown...:eek:

Originally Posted by amideislas (Post 10047578)

The problem is that if politicians did everything the public wants, we'd have been bankrupt and completely impoverished many moons ago.

Originally Posted by amideislas (Post 10047578)

The problem is that if politicians did everything the public wants, we'd have been bankrupt and completely impoverished many moons ago.

Originally Posted by Domino (Post 10047596)

that is what makes a good politician - doing things that the public think they want and need without actually giving them anything at all.

after all it is "only" Government Money they are using.
if it was my money I would get very angry about its misuse.

Originally Posted by amideislas (Post 10047944)

That's a big part of the problem -especially in the EU. They think it's "thier" money to do with as they please. It's not, but that's how it's spent.

On the other hand, and back to my original statement, if we did everything the public wants, then everyone would have free healthcare (of the world's highest quality), free education, a big beautiful house in an area with no crime, no wage inequality, perfectly environmentally-friendly energy (free of charge, of course), free transportation, free food, free child care, no taxes, but not work more than 4 hours per day, 20 hours per week, and would get paid €20K per month for it, and retire at age 45 with a pension double that of the highest wage you've ever made in your entire life.

And somebody would have to pay for all that.

Originally Posted by Domino (Post 10047959)

well having left the UK it definitely won't be me
too many hangers on there, free pass for this, free pass for that, havent put a penny into the system but want a free pass for it all, "I know my rights".

but at least those making the decisions are elected whilst no one in the EU hierarchy has been elected, just chosen by a few friends.

.

Originally Posted by amideislas (Post 10048015)

Well, that's the system. And the general mindset. It's the "I'm entitled" generation, and explains a lot about why so many economies struggle to make ends meet (or not at all), whilst public prosperity continues in decline.

But it's not our problem is it? It's the government's problem, right? - the presumption being that the government is a separate entity, not there to serve us, but to control our lives for us - and for that, we get our wish - nothing is our responsibility anymore. "I'm entitled" - someone else's problem.

Ironically, even if you choose to take a look in the mirror, and assume some responsibility for your own life, there are plenty of regulatory barriers making it neccessary to depend more and more on bankrupt and politically motivated government for everything, further leading to the sentiment that it's "us" against "them", and it's "their" fault.

Wasn't me. "I'm entitled".

Originally Posted by amideislas (Post 10047944)

free healthcare (of the world's highest quality), free education, a big beautiful house in an area with no crime, no wage inequality, perfectly environmentally-friendly energy (free of charge, of course), free transportation, free food, free child care, no taxes, but not work more than 4 hours per day, 20 hours per week, and would get paid €20K per month for it, and retire at age 45 with a pension double that of the highest wage you've ever made in your entire life.