Politics & Stuff

[cosmicway 1,333]

No, it's undemocratic because the financial policies are being decided by banks and not people. The referendum made it very clear that Greek citizens don't agree with those policies.

And the people, and I mean actual people, all across Europe have the same disillusionment with financial policies. If it's not parties like Syriza, it's going to be right wing fascists that oppose austerity and gain the people's support.

Let's not pretend that the European loans were some sort of charity towards the Greek people. The Troika was first and foremost bailing out German and French banks that Greece owned money to originally, and they're bailing them out using Greek tax money.

Because that's what the bailouts and the austerity measures are: class war. The banks fuck up and working class people have to bail them out. It's a war on the working and the poor to preserve the rich. Austerity and bailouts are not viable financial policies, they are ideological policies to keep the few at the top.

You say "Die hard reds" but over 60% of the people refused more austerity measures. This isn't about politics anymore, it's about not wanting to continue to suffer for something that is proven not to work all for protecting the rich and the powerful.

Iceland, the only country that jailed the criminal bankers, rejected austerity and accepted inflation is the first European country to beat its pre-crisis peak of economic output.

The banks keep your money.

They also use it to finance various types of projects.

They also pocket some - you can't escape that.

Do you think the company to which you pay your phone bills are saints ? Or they take just enough to pay the workers who dig the streets to place the optical fibers ?

So it's not as cut and dry as you say.

Now that the dust seems to be settling it looks like we 're going to pay through the nose for a new agreement.

Back in January the government of mr. Samaras talked of 2.5 bil additional tax measures for the year 2015 and for 2016 they promised we will be free of such obligations - meaning that we are going to have a balanced budget and there will be therefore no need for additional punitive tax measures. Syriza accused him of robbing the people's blodd but I did n't hear the word "liar". Something in "liar" I did n't hear and now the total bill for three years is 50 bil -courtesy of mr. Tsipras (also the supporters of mr. Samaras are now saying they were talking of 1 bil, but as I remember 2.5, I say 2.5).

What's the trick ?

How is it that the verbose and resounding "no" became a yes, before the rooster crowed thrice ?

Let me tell you the dark secrets of the turf:

Tsipras made the referendum to lose. He says we lose, then an ecumenical government signs the agreement, then there will be elections in October - as ecumenical governments cannot go beyond 5-6 months. I will say "I 'm a hero, I fought on the beaches, vote for me again". He stood a good chance as well.

But, but, but ...

The result was 61% no. A simple comparison with the result of the last elections shows this was 40% left wing and 20% right wing. Granted in the last election we had 10% right wing anti-european vote, that makes an additional 10% right wing vote.

Those who disagree with that analysis talk of 25% right wing vote because -they say- 5% of Syriza supporters voted yes (that's a minority view with which I disagree).

So the JUNTA voted the yes.

I don't know how many of them are of the neo-nazi golden dawn type and how many are of other type, but it's 20% JUNTA vote.

Their reasoning is diabolical as you can readily grasp and nothing to do with the poor masses etc (who are indeed poor masses and have big problems during the present crisis - there can be no doubt about that).

So mr. Tsipras p*ssed in his p*nts as well as apprehensive of the consequences of a disorderly Grexit, goes off and signs.

End of story.

[CurlyHairLikeLuiz 1,625]

So people inheriting mansions aren't taxed, but now student grants are abolished (got mine a few months just in time) , terminally ill people are questioned forcefully in front of their families.

They were targeted to reduce child poverty, and they just redefined child poverty.

Tory absolute cunts. Guy fawkes had the right idea

The reason why they're being abolished is because students (especially foreign ones, as it's easier to do if the govt can't even chase you for payment) took the grants and then never paid it back. If you wanna blame somebody then blame those students who did not wish to pay back in again.

Literally the only difference now is that you are now legally obligated to pay for your loans opposed to being able to blow it off. You don't have a right to have it for free.

You're part of the problem, just like all the middle class families that think they have a right to child benefit. Regarding the child poverty comment, under the old system it was possible that if everybody earned £1,000,000 a year then a family earning £200,000 a year would be considered to be in poverty. That's not right.

Finally I'm pretty sure taking lower earners out of tax altogether is a better plan than taking their money and then giving it back through the benefits system.

[Fulham Broadway 17,311]

One year since the murderous attack on Gaza killing over 2000.

One year on, there is still devastation, Israel even bans the import of planks of wood -they say they could be used as weapons.

Districts that had plumbing, electricity and communities now look like 'The Last of Us'.

Children and teenagers suffer from numerous nervous disorders, such as knawing their hands, and regularly wet the bed at night.

But what is fantastic is the spirit that has not been broken in many Palestinians

[cosmicway 1,333]

The reason why they're being abolished is because students (especially foreign ones, as it's easier to do if the govt can't even chase you for payment) took the grants and then never paid it back. If you wanna blame somebody then blame those students who did not wish to pay back in again.

Literally the only difference now is that you are now legally obligated to pay for your loans opposed to being able to blow it off. You don't have a right to have it for free.

You're part of the problem, just like all the middle class families that think they have a right to child benefit. Regarding the child poverty comment, under the old system it was possible that if everybody earned £1,000,000 a year then a family earning £200,000 a year would be considered to be in poverty. That's not right.

Finally I'm pretty sure taking lower earners out of tax altogether is a better plan than taking their money and then giving it back through the benefits system.

Those grants have to be repaid if your income after uiniv, is above a certain thseshold, or no ?

I remember one showed me the contract. I think it was 2008 or 2009 and the university was Essex.

It mentioned 65,000 euros a year and he did n't say anything to me about not having the intention to repay, but he said "fat chance" about the 65k. I don't know quite what he is doing now.

[cosmicway 1,333]

About universities it is a fact that in Tory ideology only the rich who should be able to afford.

Hence all the tricky laws they make.

That way there will be only Tory graduates and fewer with other political affiliations, including the more radical ones.

Therefore the intelligentia of the future who will inevitably make industries run will be part and parcel of Smith square.

That's what they always believed.

It's true that in the early fifties universities were spy recruiting grounds, notably Oxford and Cambridge. The reds were scheming to take over Britain. It was what we call today an "asymmetric threat". But they are taking it too far, because they want every one to go around with a photograph of mr. Cameron in his pocket.

[lucio 5,418]

The reason why they're being abolished is because students (especially foreign ones, as it's easier to do if the govt can't even chase you for payment) took the grants and then never paid it back. If you wanna blame somebody then blame those students who did not wish to pay back in again.

Literally the only difference now is that you are now legally obligated to pay for your loans opposed to being able to blow it off. You don't have a right to have it for free.

You're part of the problem, just like all the middle class families that think they have a right to child benefit. Regarding the child poverty comment, under the old system it was possible that if everybody earned £1,000,000 a year then a family earning £200,000 a year would be considered to be in poverty. That's not right.

Finally I'm pretty sure taking lower earners out of tax altogether is a better plan than taking their money and then giving it back through the benefits system.

Regardless , child poverty is rising In the UK.

And I'm not middle class , and my family needs the benefits , thank you.

The point is , they can't be arsed to meet an important target , so they change what it means. Easy to do when dealing with poor and disabled people , their favourite targets.

[CurlyHairLikeLuiz 1,625]

Regardless , child poverty is rising In the UK.

And I'm not middle class , and my family needs the benefits , thank you.

The point is , they can't be arsed to meet an important target , so they change what it means. Easy to do when dealing with poor and disabled people , their favourite targets.

That's because we just had the worst recession since the 1929 crash, more than anything else... I agree on that point though. Maybe they should use some of the foreign aid budget to take care of our own before paying for Mubarak's next swimming pool.

The whole way student loans get granted should change. firstly on grade at A level and secondly on tax band - those in the lowest tax band but a high grade should get the most favourable offer, and ommits those that would get an unhelpful degree - ie stopping people getting a useless degree at a rough uni that accepted them with 2 Cs and a D at a level. Then again personally I reckon they'd be better off creating a leaving qualification that can get the poorest a job without having to spend £30,000 on a degree. But that's just me.

I get that Cons are seen as the nasty party but honestly it's still better than the France/Greece route. driving away the rich, creating mass unemployment and strangling the economy so people earning £40k a year can get their tax credits.

The tories are trying to make work pay better than benefits for the first time in about 10 years. And by 2020 the minimum wage for over 25s will be £9 an hour. That's progress.

[CurlyHairLikeLuiz 1,625]

Those grants have to be repaid if your income after uiniv, is above a certain thseshold, or no ?

I remember one showed me the contract. I think it was 2008 or 2009 and the university was Essex.

It mentioned 65,000 euros a year and he did n't say anything to me about not having the intention to repay, but he said "fat chance" about the 65k. I don't know quite what he is doing now.

From memory that restriction was removed.

It's remarkably easy to defraud the system, when you think about it. All you need to do is under estimate your income an bin the repayment notices.

[Fulham Broadway 17,311]

Theyve just completely moved the goalposts.

A recent report from the Institute for Fiscal Studies, no political bias with them, said the number of children living in poverty in the UK would more than double from 2.3 million to 4.7 million by 2020. They said they were "deeply concerned" by reports the Government was now planning to scrap the Child Poverty Act which requires ministers to put in place measures to eradicate child poverty.

There are over 90 000 children living in temporary hostels, Band Bs. Disgusting when the UK is one of the wealthiest countries in the World.

[CurlyHairLikeLuiz 1,625]

Ok then let's look at a scenario. IN 2020, with a minimum wage of £9, working 45hrs a week (fyi, £405) in a single parent family, or £20,250 per year. £750 pcm for a 2 bed house/flat. Housing benefit (if you're not lucky enough to get one for free) would subsidise that to about £500pcm and that's high. £6000 of your 20,250 gone - or £14,250. The average yearly dual fuel bill is £765. Water = circa £35. £13,450 or £259 a week for food - £100 average shop? £160/wk and including tax you're left with £95 for disposable income. And that's without further variables like tax credits, benefits, and for example your child getting a weekend job. I'd say you're closer to £115 a week accounting for such factors. That's £460 for spending a month.

[cosmicway 1,333]

From memory that restriction was removed.

It's remarkably easy to defraud the system, when you think about it. All you need to do is under estimate your income an bin the repayment notices.

Well I suppose you have to be someone mentioned in the news to get to you.

If I had the dough though I 'd give some to my old college.

They will make a "cosmicway fund" for future students.

[Iggy Doonican 4,186]

First Greek attempt at cash withdrawl this morning

[NishC300 1,865]

Varoufakis is a very interesting one. The Europeans asked for his head for the negotiations to continue even though, unlike his replacement, Varoufakis is not originally a leftist. But he's charismatic, is US schooled and speaks English very eloquently and very persuasively. Which just goes to show what the EU actually fears: it's not the Greek debt but the spreading of an anti-austerity movement that can actually make a change to the rest of Europe and beyond.

There is a huge anti-austerity anti-capitalist sentiment throughout Europe following the meltdown and the subsequent bailouts and austerity measure which are nothing short of a class war on the poor and working class. But there is no space for actual change inside the political parties and systems in Europe and the US but if a party like Syriza can win for the Greek people, then that would give rise to similar parties all over Europe. Their rise to power has already gained popular support for anti-austerity movements in Spain, Portugal, France...etc. Even Bernie Sanders in the US has been very popular as a result. Who would have thought that a socialist would be a serious presidential candidate in the US?!

And if it's not socialists like Sanders or leftists like Tsipras it's going to be right wing fascists and racists like Le Pen in France or Farage in the UK. The Germans have squeezed too hard. The need for a believable promise of genuine change is boiling under the surface. It's just a question of if someone/who can unleash the wave and then ride it.

Farage a right wing fascist?!?!?!

I love Sanders. Getting a lot of steam for his campaign, specifically from younger voters. I'm voting for him

Young voters are some of the most misinformed idiots, that would vote for someone without having a shred of knowledge about them. That's why lefties are always desperate to lower the voting age, gives them a chance to fool more kids.

The leftists approach things in childish fashion.

To them "democratic Europe" means the political parties they consider affiliated to them should win everywhere, every time.

That's impossible and even undemocratic indeed.

It further does n't follow that Europe under the influence of mainly SYRIZA type parties will knock on his door and say "here mister Tsipras, you can have all the euros you want and make them into confetti - we English, French, Portuguese patriotic socialists will pay the bill, hairdressers et al" !

In Europe there should be more direct democracy indeed.

It's not as if it is a dictatorship under generalissimo Franco now, but more democracy is needed.

Those who are in direct opposition to it are the eurosceptics who don't want any Europe at all.

Also the die hard reds who are still crying because the Soviet tanks failed to reach Calais,

In addition there should be a common fiscal policy.

We have common monetary policy but without common fiscal policiy we are like a team without goalkeeper indeed.

Once we elect who is in charge of finance -the "tzar" as is nicknamed- I don't see the problem. It's as democratic as any other democratic system.

Or rather break up this nonsense and let states look after their own business. Definitely wouldn't be a good idea to create a fiscal union.

One year since the murderous attack on Gaza killing over 2000.

One year on, there is still devastation, Israel even bans the import of planks of wood -they say they could be used as weapons.

Districts that had plumbing, electricity and communities now look like 'The Last of Us'.

Children and teenagers suffer from numerous nervous disorders, such as knawing their hands, and regularly wet the bed at night.

But what is fantastic is the spirit that has not been broken in many Palestinians

Are you talking about the spirit to eradicate the Jewish race from this planet? People sure were glad with the Nazis' spirit to mercilessly murder people, didn't die away - right?

[CurlyHairLikeLuiz 1,625]

Varoufakis is a very interesting one. The Europeans asked for his head for the negotiations to continue even though, unlike his replacement, Varoufakis is not originally a leftist. But he's charismatic, is US schooled and speaks English very eloquently and very persuasively. Which just goes to show what the EU actually fears: it's not the Greek debt but the spreading of an anti-austerity movement that can actually make a change to the rest of Europe and beyond.

There is a huge anti-austerity anti-capitalist sentiment throughout Europe following the meltdown and the subsequent bailouts and austerity measure which are nothing short of a class war on the poor and working class. But there is no space for actual change inside the political parties and systems in Europe and the US but if a party like Syriza can win for the Greek people, then that would give rise to similar parties all over Europe. Their rise to power has already gained popular support for anti-austerity movements in Spain, Portugal, France...etc. Even Bernie Sanders in the US has been very popular as a result. Who would have thought that a socialist would be a serious presidential candidate in the US?!

And if it's not socialists like Sanders or leftists like Tsipras it's going to be right wing fascists and racists like Le Pen in France or Farage in the UK. The Germans have squeezed too hard. The need for a believable promise of genuine change is boiling under the surface. It's just a question of if someone/who can unleash the wave and then ride it.

You are aware that all of the countries currently propping up the EU are all right wing countries ie UK and Germany. Austerity has worked for the UK at least, despite what you read fiscally we are in good shape. What Greece, France, Portugal etc need to learn (and has or will do) is that you don't bite the hand that feeds you, and once you survive on handouts instead of defaulting then you lose the liberty of fiscal choice.

Socialism has never worked. France tried it with Hollande, imposing super taxes on the rich and reducing working hours and brought a strong economy to its knees as the rich aka employers fled to other countries where it's cheaper to live and taking their business with them (see the Goodyear debacle) and I think he ended up implementing austerity anyway.

If somebody unleashes such a so called wave then all of the countries who are pro austerity will leave those countries to it (and the UK will leave the EU) and stop funding when they beg for a handout.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Farage a right wing fascist?!?!?!

Right wing racist, yes. His whole party is based on the idea of building fear from immigration. He almost literally has nothing else about him.

Are you talking about the spirit to eradicate the Jewish race from this planet? People sure were glad with the Nazis' spirit to mercilessly murder people, didn't die away - right?

Yes, because Palestinians are chasing Jews around the world to eradicate them right? It's not like Zionists came from all over the world to Palestine to take the lands and eradicate the people.

Even forget historical context for a second, your genuine belief is that the people besieging a small over-populated land with jets in the sky and tanks and warships all around are the ones being 'eradicated' while the ones trapped inside with little resources and a lot of destruction are the eradicators?! Do you even think, even for a second, about the rhetoric you repeat...