A lot of people on the left are saying that if the Chinese Stock Markets continue to fall, the left could make a huge political gain from it.
However, here are a few difference people need to realise between what's happening now, versus what happened back in 2008.
Firstly the 2008 recession was down to the banks, not the Chinese stock market.
Governments across the world did not listen when economists warned about the recession that was due to hit, and did not regulate the banks, including our government at the time (Labour).
Many on the left will argue that the Tories said less regulation, yes they did, but unlike Labour they were in opposition, and could say pretty much what they liked.
In the end, Labour bought shares into the banks, some at ridiculously high rates, which would always mean a loss for us, the taxpayers who's money was used to bail them out, when this current government was finally able to sell them back again.
Today's problem has nothing to do with the banks, or any governments regulations. Our government can do nothing to stop what's happening in the Chinese stock market.
The only way Labour could gain political momentum is if this government deals with the up and coming recession badly... but we've already seen George Osborne guide us out of one recession, and he's done it pretty well,
So Labour are still on the losing foot, they really can't make any political gain, nor can they blame this on anyone except Communist run China.
Tuesday 25 August 2015
Monday 17 August 2015
Has Socialism Ever Really Worked?
Socialism is meant to help those at the bottom of society, and bring them up with the top of society.... or so socialists claim at least.
For many of us on the right, socialism means taxing the rich to the point that they leave the country, or become poor themselves.
For me Conservatism means; You earn it, you keep it.
That means, at least for me, that there's less need to rely on government, there's less need to worry about if the government will slash benefits, or unfairly use you as a point to be made.
Of course we all know not everyone can earn, either because they're a full time carer for a loved one, or they themselves are ill, or because lady luck keeps passing them by (which sadly does happen).
But when I read blogs, tweets, and articles regarding how socialism is for the better, naturally I go to look for examples where it has been implemented, to see if it really has helped those at the bottom of society.
Most famously I think is Russia, the first country to really implement the socialist Marxist ways.
Russia is an awkward one, the country went from a Autocratic Emperor who, although loved his country and people, couldn't see that Russia was behind the times, and wouldn't give up any of his power, nor was he the strongest or smartest of Tsar's to pass through Russia's grand history.
Then when Nicholas II was overthrown, and put into captivity, along with his wife, four daughters, and son and heir, was quickly murdered by those who hated him most, the Bolsheviks.
Who gave that permission, the man who said they would abolish capital punishment, Vladimir Lenin.
A man who had promised "Peace! Land! Bread!"
Peace; to take Russia out of World War 1, which he did..... only to start a civil war.
Land; to allow the slaves to own the land they were working on..... instead he followed in the Tsar's footsteps and took it for himself.
Bread; the slave could eat the food they were harvesting.... again he took a lesson out of the old Tsar's book and took the food for himself, giving out smaller rationings than the Tsar.
Crime was at an all time high, murders were being committed in broad daylight, famines were far worse than under the Tsar, and like the Tsar he had a secret police who spied on people who would be seen as a threat the un-elected dictator.
The Tsar called his police the Okhrana, Lenin called his the Cheka, both killed, maimed, and spied.
Then when Lenin died, Josef Stalin took over. The poor Russian people still were not giving what they were promised.
Stalin has around 34 - 49 million unnatural deaths which can be directly linked to him.
Famines so bad people turned to cannibalism, and after he helped defeat Hitler (who now looks like an amateur) carried on his dirty work!
But unlike Hitler, he didn't go after one specific religion, or race, just anyone who posed as a threat to him, from the poorest of peasants, to those who once stood side by side with him.
And he didn't call them concentration camps, he called them gulags.
Another example is China, another imperialistic country taken over by the thrill of the red flag.
Chairman Mao, what a beast that man is, oppression, repression, and plain old murder, yet where capitalism is king.... hypocrisy runs deep within it's walls.
Or you could look to Cuba, a country that used to have elections, but now has a rather similar system to that of our royal family, the Presidency is passed down generations, from Fidel Castro (leader of the Cuban revolution), to his son Raul Castro neither of which have been elected... ever.
In Socialist Cuba, the poor are still poor, and Castro is living the high life....
So all in all Socialism looks rather bleak, especially if you're at the bottom of the pile.
Capitalism needs to be kept in check, but my god at least it gives you the ladder to climb up out of the gutter, just ask any "socialist" author, journalist, comedian, singer who's had a number one tour/ book.
For many of us on the right, socialism means taxing the rich to the point that they leave the country, or become poor themselves.
For me Conservatism means; You earn it, you keep it.
That means, at least for me, that there's less need to rely on government, there's less need to worry about if the government will slash benefits, or unfairly use you as a point to be made.
Of course we all know not everyone can earn, either because they're a full time carer for a loved one, or they themselves are ill, or because lady luck keeps passing them by (which sadly does happen).
But when I read blogs, tweets, and articles regarding how socialism is for the better, naturally I go to look for examples where it has been implemented, to see if it really has helped those at the bottom of society.
Most famously I think is Russia, the first country to really implement the socialist Marxist ways.
Russia is an awkward one, the country went from a Autocratic Emperor who, although loved his country and people, couldn't see that Russia was behind the times, and wouldn't give up any of his power, nor was he the strongest or smartest of Tsar's to pass through Russia's grand history.
Then when Nicholas II was overthrown, and put into captivity, along with his wife, four daughters, and son and heir, was quickly murdered by those who hated him most, the Bolsheviks.
Who gave that permission, the man who said they would abolish capital punishment, Vladimir Lenin.
A man who had promised "Peace! Land! Bread!"
Peace; to take Russia out of World War 1, which he did..... only to start a civil war.
Land; to allow the slaves to own the land they were working on..... instead he followed in the Tsar's footsteps and took it for himself.
Bread; the slave could eat the food they were harvesting.... again he took a lesson out of the old Tsar's book and took the food for himself, giving out smaller rationings than the Tsar.
Crime was at an all time high, murders were being committed in broad daylight, famines were far worse than under the Tsar, and like the Tsar he had a secret police who spied on people who would be seen as a threat the un-elected dictator.
The Tsar called his police the Okhrana, Lenin called his the Cheka, both killed, maimed, and spied.
Then when Lenin died, Josef Stalin took over. The poor Russian people still were not giving what they were promised.
Stalin has around 34 - 49 million unnatural deaths which can be directly linked to him.
Famines so bad people turned to cannibalism, and after he helped defeat Hitler (who now looks like an amateur) carried on his dirty work!
But unlike Hitler, he didn't go after one specific religion, or race, just anyone who posed as a threat to him, from the poorest of peasants, to those who once stood side by side with him.
And he didn't call them concentration camps, he called them gulags.
Another example is China, another imperialistic country taken over by the thrill of the red flag.
Chairman Mao, what a beast that man is, oppression, repression, and plain old murder, yet where capitalism is king.... hypocrisy runs deep within it's walls.
Or you could look to Cuba, a country that used to have elections, but now has a rather similar system to that of our royal family, the Presidency is passed down generations, from Fidel Castro (leader of the Cuban revolution), to his son Raul Castro neither of which have been elected... ever.
In Socialist Cuba, the poor are still poor, and Castro is living the high life....
So all in all Socialism looks rather bleak, especially if you're at the bottom of the pile.
Capitalism needs to be kept in check, but my god at least it gives you the ladder to climb up out of the gutter, just ask any "socialist" author, journalist, comedian, singer who's had a number one tour/ book.
Wednesday 12 August 2015
Fight! Fight! Fight!
There seems to be a lot of hysteria, at least within Labour, that Jeremy Corbyn has the best chance of winning this Labour leadership election.
He probably does, he's trying to take the party back to the good old days of Michael Foot, and Neil Kinnock.
Not that they were successful years, and as Einstein once said:
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result.
Are those, genuine supporters of Corbyn, who are going to vote for Corbyn expecting him to do differently?
Because of Scotland, do they think the rest of the country will make a turn to the left?
The Tories won the election, why? Because they didn't want a left wing government, Scotland did vote left, and they got left, and from what I can see so far there's only one worth while MP and that's the young Mhairi Black.
But even so England rejected a left wing Scottish involvement, so surely that speaks volumes that England, in particular, didn't want a left wing government?
Apparently not, many of Corbyn's real supporters are determined that England also wants a left wing government..... not sure how they're coming to this conclusion, but they are.
Why is he gaining so much support?
Not sure really, saying he might re-open some old coal mines (Why? What would that achieve?), or the fact that he'll nationalise the railways, but not in the same way as Attlee, he'll put the onus into our hands.... that'll be interesting.
But it's Labour's own infighting I'm finding fascinating. Some of those within Labour genuinely are terrified at the thought of a Corbyn victory.
Journalists like Owen Jones keep saying it's the right who's putting Corbyn down, but there's more hate for him from his own party than what there is from any Tory, or even the Prime Minister, who I'm sure is willing Corbyn to win.
Also listening to Corbyn's supporters, it's like the General Election all over again, not looking or listening to what others have to say.
Tony Blair said "When Margaret Thatcher won, it wasn't because the country wanted a far left Labour Party."
Instead the line they decided to listen to was his stupid, "If your hearts with Corbyn, get a transplant."
The fact that around 30 MPs have already refused to serve under Corbyn in a Shadow Cabinet role, and many are plotting Corbyn's very public political death, should he win, must be a worry for Corbyn and his supporters?
Apparently not.... will they ever learn, doubt it.
He probably does, he's trying to take the party back to the good old days of Michael Foot, and Neil Kinnock.
Not that they were successful years, and as Einstein once said:
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result.
Are those, genuine supporters of Corbyn, who are going to vote for Corbyn expecting him to do differently?
Because of Scotland, do they think the rest of the country will make a turn to the left?
The Tories won the election, why? Because they didn't want a left wing government, Scotland did vote left, and they got left, and from what I can see so far there's only one worth while MP and that's the young Mhairi Black.
But even so England rejected a left wing Scottish involvement, so surely that speaks volumes that England, in particular, didn't want a left wing government?
Apparently not, many of Corbyn's real supporters are determined that England also wants a left wing government..... not sure how they're coming to this conclusion, but they are.
Why is he gaining so much support?
Not sure really, saying he might re-open some old coal mines (Why? What would that achieve?), or the fact that he'll nationalise the railways, but not in the same way as Attlee, he'll put the onus into our hands.... that'll be interesting.
But it's Labour's own infighting I'm finding fascinating. Some of those within Labour genuinely are terrified at the thought of a Corbyn victory.
Journalists like Owen Jones keep saying it's the right who's putting Corbyn down, but there's more hate for him from his own party than what there is from any Tory, or even the Prime Minister, who I'm sure is willing Corbyn to win.
Also listening to Corbyn's supporters, it's like the General Election all over again, not looking or listening to what others have to say.
Tony Blair said "When Margaret Thatcher won, it wasn't because the country wanted a far left Labour Party."
Instead the line they decided to listen to was his stupid, "If your hearts with Corbyn, get a transplant."
The fact that around 30 MPs have already refused to serve under Corbyn in a Shadow Cabinet role, and many are plotting Corbyn's very public political death, should he win, must be a worry for Corbyn and his supporters?
Apparently not.... will they ever learn, doubt it.
Wednesday 5 August 2015
"People Are More Upset About A Dead Lion"
A lot of people are outtraged that there is more sympathy for Cecil the lion, than what there is for the people who are trying to illegally enter the UK.
Here's why.
Today I read in The Mirror that someone, in Paris, tried to bury their dog alive, thankfully another dog walker spotted her, and freed her.
A human being did this, a human being also took the like of a lion just so he could have another picture to hang on his wall, and show off to his friends.
Animals attack us when they feel threatened or hungry, humans attack for nothing but the pleasure of attacking.
The people who have fled to Calais should, by law, stay in France.
France has housing, jobs, benefits, and is buy and large, a safe country, what is the need to come here? Why is Britain so much better off than France?
Is leaving France, really worth your life?
Is Britain that good of a place, that you're willing to risk, not only your own life, but perhaps that of others around you, maybe some children?
Humans are unnecessarily putting their lives at risk, whereas the dog trusted her owner with her life, and was betrayed in the most vile way.
Cecil was lured out of his safe zone, killed, beheaded and skinned, by a human, who did it for fun.
That's why there's more outrage for a lion, or a dog versus what people in Calais are putting themselves through.
Here's why.
Today I read in The Mirror that someone, in Paris, tried to bury their dog alive, thankfully another dog walker spotted her, and freed her.
A human being did this, a human being also took the like of a lion just so he could have another picture to hang on his wall, and show off to his friends.
Animals attack us when they feel threatened or hungry, humans attack for nothing but the pleasure of attacking.
The people who have fled to Calais should, by law, stay in France.
France has housing, jobs, benefits, and is buy and large, a safe country, what is the need to come here? Why is Britain so much better off than France?
Is leaving France, really worth your life?
Is Britain that good of a place, that you're willing to risk, not only your own life, but perhaps that of others around you, maybe some children?
Humans are unnecessarily putting their lives at risk, whereas the dog trusted her owner with her life, and was betrayed in the most vile way.
Cecil was lured out of his safe zone, killed, beheaded and skinned, by a human, who did it for fun.
That's why there's more outrage for a lion, or a dog versus what people in Calais are putting themselves through.
Tuesday 4 August 2015
Why I Don't Believe In Socialism
There's a few reasons why I don't believe in socialism, but I do try to live by some of what it stands for.
Fairness I believe in, I try to live by that, although I do realise I fail miserably at this sometimes, I honestly do try to treat everyone with fairness, and most of the time, I do a pretty good job.
I have many friends who are left wing, and sometimes I find myself preferring their company to those of my friends who are believe the same stuff as I do.
Why? Maybe I'm a glutton for punishment.
But here's what I don't believe in.
High taxes. What's the point of giving majority of your earnings away, just to receive it back at a smaller rate? Where's the common sense?
Surely, if people are keeping more of what they earn, there's less need to rely on the government?
Also, if these people who can earn, are earning, and keeping majority of what they're earning, there's more money for those who have absolutely no choice but to rely on the government?
I also believe some companies, larger ones especially, need to pay better wages, to help this become more of a reality.
Equality. Like I said in the beginning, I try my damnedest to treat people equally. I am pro gay marriage, I am for equal pay, I am anti-racism.
I am, however, anti- all women shortlists. I think it's insulting to women. Are we not good enough to stand against men? Are we too weak to be able to fight our own battles? Are men so bad that we have to ban them from certain things? Surely it's being sexist towards men?
Fairness should left to the left, it should just be something we all try to be, fair.
But is fair to punish someone for being in a highly paid job? Is it fair to ban men from certain things?
No.
However, if you are part of the 1% and consider yourself to the left and believe in higher taxes, by all means get your accountant to work out how much tax you believe someone on your salary should be paying, and pay it.
If you find yourself with a cheque at the end of the year for a rebate, you don't have to cash it in.
Stop preaching, and start doing, actions speak louder than words.
Fairness I believe in, I try to live by that, although I do realise I fail miserably at this sometimes, I honestly do try to treat everyone with fairness, and most of the time, I do a pretty good job.
I have many friends who are left wing, and sometimes I find myself preferring their company to those of my friends who are believe the same stuff as I do.
Why? Maybe I'm a glutton for punishment.
But here's what I don't believe in.
High taxes. What's the point of giving majority of your earnings away, just to receive it back at a smaller rate? Where's the common sense?
Surely, if people are keeping more of what they earn, there's less need to rely on the government?
Also, if these people who can earn, are earning, and keeping majority of what they're earning, there's more money for those who have absolutely no choice but to rely on the government?
I also believe some companies, larger ones especially, need to pay better wages, to help this become more of a reality.
Equality. Like I said in the beginning, I try my damnedest to treat people equally. I am pro gay marriage, I am for equal pay, I am anti-racism.
I am, however, anti- all women shortlists. I think it's insulting to women. Are we not good enough to stand against men? Are we too weak to be able to fight our own battles? Are men so bad that we have to ban them from certain things? Surely it's being sexist towards men?
Fairness should left to the left, it should just be something we all try to be, fair.
But is fair to punish someone for being in a highly paid job? Is it fair to ban men from certain things?
No.
However, if you are part of the 1% and consider yourself to the left and believe in higher taxes, by all means get your accountant to work out how much tax you believe someone on your salary should be paying, and pay it.
If you find yourself with a cheque at the end of the year for a rebate, you don't have to cash it in.
Stop preaching, and start doing, actions speak louder than words.
Monday 3 August 2015
Insanity
Einstein "Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results."
Is that what Labour is doing now with Jeremy Corbyn?
Are they hoping it'll be different this time round?
I've mentioned it before, but hope is another worrying factor, as the ancient Greeks saw hope as an evil, hence why they put it in Pandora's Box of evils.
So in a nutshell, Labour are "hoping" that if Jeremy Corbyn wins, that they'll move back to their old territory and win the nations trust?
Doesn't sound too promising now.
Although I wish every luck to Mr Corbyn, at least he's getting people to talk about policies, unlike Miliband who had people wondering what blunder would he next make.
However, Mr Corbyn's views might be healthy for the world of British politics, I am less certain that his leadership bid will be healthy for the Labour Party.
Is that what Labour is doing now with Jeremy Corbyn?
Are they hoping it'll be different this time round?
I've mentioned it before, but hope is another worrying factor, as the ancient Greeks saw hope as an evil, hence why they put it in Pandora's Box of evils.
So in a nutshell, Labour are "hoping" that if Jeremy Corbyn wins, that they'll move back to their old territory and win the nations trust?
Doesn't sound too promising now.
Although I wish every luck to Mr Corbyn, at least he's getting people to talk about policies, unlike Miliband who had people wondering what blunder would he next make.
However, Mr Corbyn's views might be healthy for the world of British politics, I am less certain that his leadership bid will be healthy for the Labour Party.
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