Well said. Unfortunately most in the UK believe everything our state broadcaster, the BBC, says without wider reading or research.
Gave up on British TV some time ago, mainly because of the BBC. Now we don't have a TV licence and I don't niss it one bit. Fettling, reading and watching films on Amazon, writing and making things keeps me busy and entertained. Some idiot on the sister site tried to tell me I was lying, like no-one could ever survive without watching TV! Let me tell you, he's not only wrong but I refure to watch any UK terrestrial TV output, even if it's not 'live' (which would trigger me needing a licence). It's now become a point of principle and yes, some of you won't believe that anyone could live such a life but we do and we're happier for it in my opinion. MSM, TV, Newspapers... they are all distractions designed to hide what's really going on. In my humble opinion of course!
Good for you Colin. I haven't watched live TV or had a licence for over 6yrs now. Don't miss it. Get stacks of lovely threatening letters from TV licensing too! Watch WRC & Moto GP at folks or girlfriend's house.
Well said Hanzo, there are lots of opinionated people and I include myself in that statement, however we are all entitled to express them in a free society, I don't mind people disagreeing but don't tell me I am wrong for expressing my opinion that brexit in all forms is a bad thing for the UK. Not posted on the subject for a while as the forum has felt like a hostile environment. One last word the UK is still in the EU and I am still optimistic that we won't actually leave in the end
Quite right - we're all entitled to our opinions and to express them. Generally, what folk don't appreciate is being told their opinions are wrong - as has happened in this thread - particularly when there's no evidence presented to substantiate that...
The ongoing flooding in parts of the UK shows the importance of being prepared with stocks of drinking water, non-perishable foods, and other supplies. Flooding WILL occur and if severe enough could result in disruption to utilities and supplies outside the directly affected area. Recent developments in the middle east and in particular the Gulf of Oman, have the potential for escalation with consequent disruption to fuel supplies, and possibly shortages of other goods. It is well to be prepared for any such events. Prudent to be prepared for shortages and disruptions, whether caused by Brexit, or by flooding, or be conflict overseas, or by something else.
The world has been in a stable state for many years now, since the 70s maybe. Technology has improved of course, but the way we live has remained very regular, particularly for us in the West, less so for developing nations. However I honestly think a major change is brewing. It's difficult to put my finger on why, but too many fundamental things are in a state of flux and that makes me think major changes are imminent. I don't think my small collection of tins, flour and milk powder are really going to make a huge difference but it's all I or anyone else can do.
When things have been the way they are for so long it's hard to imagine them changing but that doesn't mean they can't or won't. We have right wing populist parties gaining ground all over Europe and big business is in an immensely strong situation plus we have a US president who seems to be blundering into arguments the world over. I hope nothing happens but my guess is it will.
I too feel as though change is imminent for all the same reasons. I was recently asked that if I could have the legal right to live anywhere in the world, where would I go? After much pondering, I just plain don't know...
Always been a bit of a minor prepper myself. I see so many friends & family with empty cupboards & living very much day-to-day on processed food/ready meals/eating out. All fine, until the power goes off or the supermarket shelves are empty due to snow, flooding, etc. How close we are to anarchy should supply vs demand become imbalanced. Oh I wish I could go further & own a firearm for protection too, but that's a no-go in the UK!
In the Scottish Highlands a few essential items put by in case of a power cut or a snow day is a way of life. It's also a prudent precaution.
Indeed. The A830 between us and Mallaig was at risk of being closed a few weeks back when the fires spread right up to the verge. And when it floods as it has done recently the water krept up almost level with the road when Loch Sheil was very very full!
IMHO, storms, floods, fires and other natural disasters are a greater risk than Brexit related problems. Still best to be prepared for out of course events though. A local shop is out of Lindt milk chocolate bars, some will no doubt blame this on Brexit, but I can reveal the truth which is that I purchased the entire stock of 8 bars as it was reduced in price. Another shop has no stock of king size brushed cotton sheets, again because I bought the lot, both of them ! And now there is a shortage of AD28 batteries, though I am not to blame for that as I only purchased 2.
Hope you don't starve, because I bought stock of 192 Tunnocks caramel wafer bars. :-) However the print on the boxes boasts, Tunnocks produces millions of it. :-) Very sorry to hear, certain areas got flooded in England recently.
What's changed is the decline of America and Britain versus the rest of the world through globalisation and the way that the decline is visited on the each of the countries population as what's the most expedient remedy for the capitalist social order instead of the common good . So our health systems, educational systems, housing systems, welfare systems have been cut to create societies that are privatized market societies in EVERY capacity and that's a big change from the 70's , when the common man's rights climaxed and prosperity and freedom and equality goals. Since the late 70's the capitalist class have fought a hard war ideologically, politically and socially that dove tailed with Conservatism to beat back the 70's and return to their dominant position. They have , profits are up , workers powerless, money determines all, social hierarchy and inequality back to old levels. Trump and populism and Brexit have gained ground because the white middle classes in both countries have lost their status, are socially stagnant, more financially precarious, lost hope in a future of financial well being . A feeling of the world coming to an end and each person fighting to survive is prevalent in America and probably gaining ground in Britain, all part of the shake up of societies that are fundamentalist market capitalist societies . Daily life lacks the feeling of wholeness, joy ,truth , safety, security, integrity and well being as a result. Daily life in pre fascist Germany had also turned aggressive and coarse. Unlike the past though Climate Change and the effects we see now daily right before our eyes add to the feeling of an uncertain future . A politics of fear , hostility, scapegoating and support for authoritarianism has resulted and from this nothing good will come. Britain and America both can slide full on into societies that are fascist. Racism , nationalism , militarism and the collaboration of the political class with the wealthy and their interests and their control of the state is the most simplistic definition of fascism and in America some of these elements are truisms. Sadly the Tories copy cat every bad American Conservative social policy , like proposed tax cuts for the wealthy in the face of Brexit and economic slowdown .So where America goes Britain seems sure to follow.
@Hanzo I don't agree with you, who do you think pays for health systems, educational systems, housing systems, welfare systems? The government? Governments don't have their own money, the only money that they have to spend is what they take from the people, the working people paying taxes ....... I believe in equal opportunity for all, not equal outcome for all.
Hanzo, I'm curious about where you're getting your information and why you've come to the conclusions you've come to. You're pretty much 100% opposite the way I understand the world to be. America is enjoying incredibly economic growth, 3%+ per year. We have the lowest unemployment rate in 60 years, among some demographics the lowest unemployment rate EVER. People are hopeful, back to work, able to support themselves and their families. I can't speak to the UK and Brexit, but I hope it's been as good for them. What about the rest of the world? Report: 2 billion move out of extreme poverty over 25 years More people are living longer, healthier, happier lives, with greater access to healthcare and the basic necessities and even wants of life, than has ever been the case, ever, in all of human history. There area few pockets where things are getting worse, like Venezuela. There's a lesson there about how not to run a country.
Pete, whats happened in the U.S. and what the right are attempting to do in Britain is to regress the tax system. Tax reform as pursued by the right and business in America is to shift the tax burden more and more onto the backs of the working people in an effort to allow the wealthy and corps to keep more wealth. Americas recent tax "reform" cut taxes for the 1% of population while the middle class and working class paid more. A provision in the tax reform plan was especially aimed at California and New York, liberal states. It made state tax deductibles higher hitting state revenue so that the states affected cannot afford to provide services to there residents. The Tory leadership candidates all said cutting taxes is a priority and just like in the US they'll present it as a populist move while knowing all along they will cut taxes on corps and for the wealthy and make the workers pay for any social provisions. What the money elites have said loudly and clearly in America , Britain , France etc. is that " we are not paying for social democratic institutions" period. Months back in this thread I pointed out that Britain"s NHS was clearly in the sights of Wall Street in any FTA with Britain. Sure enough Wilbur Ross when visiting the UK with Trump recently said in regard to the NHS that it to was on the table in any FTA with the U.S. UK Conservatives have been privatizing the NHS slowly over the years and Wall Street will make the NHS a for profit health care system with America's health care system as the model. Denmark is the country which has achieved the most equal health care system and its heavily state directed for that purpose, its the opposite of the American system and the new model for Britain that Trump and the Tories have in mind.
That's a flat out lie. Nearly everyone paid less taxes. Yes, the rich paid less in taxes, but SO DOES ALMOST EVERYONE ELSE. Before and after: I am most definitely NOT wealthy and I get to keep more of my paycheck than before. Oh, and despite the cuts, tax revenue is up. Get the government off the private sector's back, business flourishes, more taxes get paid. Sir, you are being lied to. You are eating lies pushed by a group of people with an agenda, which has very little to do with reality, freedom, or the good of the people. I can't speak to the British press, but the American press has been caught with their pants down so many times that it's a wonder anyone believes them at all. If they wrote an article about how water was wet, I'd want to see the source material and their methodology before I believed them. There's a reason confidence in the main stream media is at an all time low and why alternative sources are becoming so popular. I urge you, and everyone else reading, most strongly to IGNORE the media and seek out your own data. The world is actually doing quite well, there is much to be happy and hopeful about.
Marc Colin's question is why Britain's social , political and economic landscape has changed? You are answering it hasn't changed , its never been better! Which clearly Colin doesn't agree with or he wouldn't be worried about the changes. Colin is saying a crazy unfit American President, Business dominance of the political and social system of the UK , Brexit and the ugly rise of authoritarianism across Europe don't portend well , that change perhaps won't be for the better. I agree and pointed out the possible explanation for the changes, economic and political changes in the countries. In fact prepping in the UK and U.S. and world, the subject of thread in itself is a testament to say the least of pessimism about the present and future. Many preppers are preparing for the end of civilization through nuclear or environmental catastrophes. " When the sh t hits the fan" thinking imagines the implosion of the American social order and social anarchy in America . It seems only you and Trump believe in the America and World utopia we are now living in.
I can't speak to the UK, their political system, Brexit, or prepping there. I've said so repeatedly. Regarding the USA however, I am familiar with the situation, and you are flatly wrong. I am choosing to believe that you are simply misinformed, instead of knowingly passing on lies, as the media is wont to do. I never said the USA or the world was a utopia, but it's definitely closer than the faulty picture you're painting. The truth is that more people are living happier, healthier, longer lives, with more opportunities, a higher standard of living, and less people in poverty, than has ever been the case in all of human history.
Marc Let's just take one of your assertions " life expectancy " . If I do a google search of " life expectancy in the U.S. , the first article to appear is this one. https://www.washingtonpost.com/nati...8604ed88993_story.html?utm_term=.fc0bb7abe128 It and other articles show a clear decline over the last years of U.S. life expectancy ,amazing when the U.S. is the richest country in the world. If everything were wonderful we'd have the best bestest life expectancy not reversal like a 'failed state" lol . Leading causes the the government says are suicide and drug over dose. Suicide and drug abuse to death tells us first and foremost that the victims have lost hope ,social and individual hope and that their social existence's meaning has been completely shattered. Even more troubling is that the government isn't even addressing the reversal it simply ignores it as unimportant. Its one of those flies in the ointment of we've never had it so good.
Yes, a very small portion of the population is having a tremendous problem and causing a blip. That's a problem with a small and defined portion of the population and certainly does not reflect on the population as a whole. There is going to be a subset with issues in any population. Find me a bowl of the most wonderful cherries the world has ever seen, and I'll find you a couple in that bowl which aren't quite as sweet or are a little more tart than the rest. Does that mean that the rest of the cherries aren't as sweet? No. I do agree that OD and suicide are an issue that needs to be addressed. You cherry picking that one issue(I already said we don't live in a utopia) doesn't mean that my premise as a whole is unsound.
Marc ' I didn't cherry pick , I just picked one random assertion. I could do a google search of " American negative social indicators " or America's world wide rankings " and it would be easy to show that the U.S. is a rich country with social problems akin to a " failed state" , a real anomaly. Take an obvious one, social violence. America experienced its most violent year of gun deaths last year, 40,000, in one year , that would be considered a major civil war in another country. The number of toddler deaths by gun fire is 3 or more times higher than the number of American victims of international terrorism. We know just watching tv that there is a massacre seemingly every day in America, a massacre defined as 3 or more deaths in a single violent incident. Fear of gun violence is a national issue . It been suggested by Trump and the Republican Party that the best way to combat this gun violence is through more violence, arming other Americans to shoot other Americans as the only solution to the problem, returning America to the Wild West Gun fighter nation of the past where lawlessness and gun justice and vigilantism ruled , the opposite of a civilized , advanced society. The barest definition of a failed state is a governments inability to protect its citizens from violence and our government refuses to dot it. Not coincidentally knife violence has become a problem in the UK and an influx of illegal guns its feared will make the problem worse.
