Economic Crisis

Feeling the pinch yet?

No

Was pissing about $4+/gallon gas here, until this tasty Serbian girl staying w/ us advised in Belgrade, it's $10 a gallon.

Shut me right up.

Scare tactics. So begs the question, a truth or a phrase that is been used 'cross all horizons.

Office speak,slick word on the street what phrases such as 'begs the question are Laughs, over- used sick- of or otherwise..

civil war just round the corner i feel. food, council tax and fuel all going up. less disposable income as a result.

No pinch here. I think I'll be fine as long as I don't get sacked. I don't drive a Hummer, so the $4 gas doesn't bother me as much as others.

Aye,cunts. I'm one of those coming off a fixed rate mortgage,that has seen a massive rise going on to a new one,aswell as everything else,etc. Keeping the wolves from the door,busting my balls and not a fuckin lot left after every cunt has had their pound of flesh these days..I still would NEVER EVER vote Tory tho,as they are utter scum to the working man... Not that I vote Labour either anymore,but you know the dance.Cunts!

NO Regret wrote: civil war just round the corner i feel. food, council tax and fuel all going up. less disposable income as a result.

Should be,but not here in Britain with unions piss weak and the like.. All the signs through recent history are we just take this shit en masse,majority speaking like,with the false belief it could be worse,and things will get better.A few blockades and strikes would need to gather alot more momentum.Civil unrest would be pacified,but not satisified granted, before it reaches civil war proportions.These cunts know how to play politics.All of them,cunts.We swallow it(Darnell especially,if names are any barometer)and get on with it in Britain.Can't see that changing unlesss severe mismanagement of the economy causes mass hardship,then yes.

It's starting to bite a bit. Soon be comming of a fixed rate, 3 year old twins, all the usual stuff. My only saving grace is that i happen to be in one of the most secure jobs you can get.

Whoever coined the phrase BOOM AND BUST BRITAIN was spot on.

yes. My rent stabilized apt. is going up in rent. Public transportation is probably going up again. Gas &electric going up. The company i work for stock went way down and now i probably won't see my bonus.

Boatraceface wrote: ...Can't see that changing unlesss severe mismanagement of the economy causes mass hardship,then yes.

Isn't that what Nu Labour have been doing for the last 11 years?

How much did you sell our Gold reserves for, Gordon?

Boatraceface wrote: Aye,cunts. I'm one of those coming off a fixed rate mortgage,that has seen a massive rise going on to a new one,aswell as everything else,etc. Keeping the wolves from the door,busting my balls and not a fuckin lot left after every cunt has had their pound of flesh these days..I still would NEVER EVER vote Tory tho,as they are utter scum to the working man... Not that I vote Labour either anymore,but you know the dance.Cunts!

So which political party are going to lead Britain out of this wasteland and to the promised land? None of them, I expect is the answer. I'd probably be inclined to vote for Tories just to get rid of useless Labour. Although, I wouldnt have much confidence in their ability to make things better.

I think Boris is doing ok as Mayer of London though. He may seem a baffoon but he's not as slippery as Ken (Im alright Jack) Livingstone.

Im definately feeling the pinch - I was let go by my employer in Feb (the bastards), and have only just now managed a new position - a PhD researcher with the University of Bolton. Thats a cut of over 60% - ouch. needless to say I wont be buying many records over the next 3 years.

recycle wrote: No

Actually,

If this happens....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7461635.stm

Then maybe I will.

Not really. The wife drives a gas hog, but we only live 5 minutes from her work. And, I have a company gas card, so fuel cost hasn't really been a problem. But, we're just getting in to the summer here. I dread the next 4-5 electric bills.

The general economy in Texas is still relatively strong. While we've suffered through many of the same issues as home foreclosures and high energy costs, it hasn't been to near the extent as the rest of the country.

El Jarvo wrote:

NO Regret wrote: So which political party are going to lead Britain out of this wasteland and to the promised land? None of them, I expect is the answer.

Indeed, at the moment, none of them. The Tories are, quite sensibly so (but perhaps rather strangely, given that they're an 'opposition' party), not daring to mention the failing economy, what with rising interest rates, falling house prices, etc, cos they too know there's not a lot we can actually do to drag ourselves out of this at present, alas.

I'm not convinced that there is much the government can do to rectify the situation. The whole thing started becuase several American companies decided to lend money to people who couldnt pay it back at 100%, and for some reason, this country paniced as well.

Back in June 2006, when i was working in mortgages, this complany called High Street Home Loans came into our office and everyone just thought, "oh christ, another lender with a load of products no one is ever going to use" until the guy told us of 85% Employed Self Cert Unlimited" Which basically means you can have as many arrears as you want, as many CCJ's, Defaults, etc, and you dont have to prove your income and you can borrow up to 85% of the value of your home. They pulled it over a year later, because they had an 85% reposesesion rate with people on it. They were still making money on it though. It was only in America where you could get similar products up to 100%, and sometimes over.

The government did fuck up on Northern Rock. I can see why they would guarantee the savers, but they should never have bailed out the shareholders. Three of my uncles have shares in various firms and they were bitching about how if the companies they had shares in went under (which OK probably isnt going to happen) there would be no chance of the givernment bailing them out.

Anyway, its not like the government can force banks to lend money. And if no one wants to invest in banks, they dont have the money to lend, so people cant mortgages and therefore cant buy or sell property and property prices come down. Thats just the way it is. One of my mums friends husband fancies himself as a property developer and he bought two houses to rent out to students a couple of years ago, and he's trying to sell them now and is going to do it at a loss. And guess what? its the governments fault!

The economic crisis hasnt affected me massively. If anything its been a positive for me as it got me out of a job which I hated. For years I have claimed I dont (and wont) drive because its too expensive (which it is, as I dont need to drive) and I know enough about food (as those who met me can probably tell!) to know how to get the most out of it.

There is that as well admittedly.

No complaints from downstairs though. They're planning a massive extension with a swimming pool.

Which i guaran fucking tee will never, ever get used.

Uncle Liam wrote: There is that as well admittedly.

I'd say that has everything to do with it

Boatraceface wrote:

NO Regret wrote: civil war just round the corner i feel. food, council tax and fuel all going up. less disposable income as a result.

Should be,but not here in Britain with unions piss weak and the like.. .

The Unions are only weak because of THATCHERS Enforced legislation. AND the Fearsome AND fickle uk populous as a whole.

IF the other unions had called a general stike when the miners came out in 84 then perhaps we would have seen a different britain today,perhaps not.

We also forget that the Europrats in Brussels mess with our affairs FAR too much,recycling legislation for starters,could think of loads but i wont bother.

Immigration also has a big part to play in our economy. Which builder is going to pay a gang of bricklayers £1,000 each a week when he can pay eastern Europeans £400? Does this stimulate our economy? Does it fuckers like. English bricklayer earning £1,000 ppw sees to it that his rent/mortgage/kids etc are all sorted and spends the rest on nice clothes/tv's/holidays/going out socialising etc/etc.

Eastern european earning £400 ppw pays the rent does a bit of socialising and sends the rest back home to support his family

classic example, JCB at Stoke

Welders there were earning good money.4 years ago saw a massive influx of eastern european welders,albeit on the same money as the local lads.

Out of 1200 people employed at the utoxeter 400 are now eastern europeans.

JCB has just annonced that due to the economic downturn 200 people will be made redundant. I spoke to the Union branch secretary of the site last night and the percentage of migrant workers being made redundant is 2%! People who have been working there for over 20 years are being "let go" with the minimum government redundancy package,which equates to £240 ppw for every year worked (£360 for over 40's),so say dave whos been there for 20 years man and boy,is made redundant,he'll recieve £4,800 + 13 weeks severance pay if he recieved his notice period. Admittedly,eastern european bloke will get £240 for every year worked with one/two weeks notice. BUT,the fact remains that only 2% of the migrant workforce are being made redundant!

Now before you all jump in read what i'm trying to say here.

We have ended up with a mass imigration problem in our country BECAUSE: we are members of the European union,albeit a watered down membership. We do have loads of E.U Legislation some of it good,most of it very bad WE get the privilage of being in the E.U but NONE of the MAJOR BENEFITS that other E.U countries enjoy.

Did you know that migrant workers who come to the U.K are ENTITLED by E.U law to recieve child benefits for their dependants back home,at the cost to the BRITISH TAXPAYER?

At last count 6 MILLION PEOPLE!

OK TIME TO END THIS NOW BUT:

**WE ELECTED THE GOVERNMENT TO "GOVERN" OUR GREEN AND PLEASANT LAND.HOW COME OUE SO CALLED "GOVERNMENT" HAS SIGNED US UP FOR THE E.U TREATY WITHOUT A REFERENDUM?THE SAME REFERENDUM THAT THE OIRISH HAVE JUST TUENED DOWN AND VOTED NO?IS THERE AN ALTERNATIVE TO OUR PISS POOR GOVERNMENT,AT THE MINUTE,MOST DEFINATELY NO!!!!WILL THERE BE MASS CIVIL UPRISING IN OUR COUNTRY,NO!WHY?BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE FICKLE/FEARFUL AND MILLIONS OF PEOPLE HERE IN THE U.K DO NOT LIKE WHAT THEY DONT KNOW.I WILL NEVER VOTE LABOUR EVER AGAIN THAT IS ONE THING I CAN ASSURE YOU!MIND YOU AFTER WHAT THE TORIES DID TO THE MINING INDUSTRY,JUST BECAUSE SEVERAL HUNDRED THOUSAND YORKSHIRE MINERS DARED TO DEFY THATCHER,SHE BROUGHT ABOUT DRACONION UNION LEGISLATION AND DAMAGED OUR COUNTRY FOR EVER,THE I WOULD RATHER DIE THAN VOTE FOR THE TORIES!THE LIB DEMS ARE WANK ANALL,SO THEY ARE A NO GO FOR ME EITHER!**One thing for me for sure while ever we are letting FINANCIAL immigrants into our country and handing them EVERYTHING on a plate,then, the B.N.P is going to grow massively year in,year out.

wrote:

OK TIME TO END THIS NOW BUT:

**WE ELECTED THE GOVERNMENT TO "GOVERN" OUR GREEN AND PLEASANT LAND.HOW COME OUE SO CALLED "GOVERNMENT" HAS SIGNED US UP FOR THE E.U TREATY WITHOUT A REFERENDUM?THE SAME REFERENDUM THAT THE OIRISH HAVE JUST TUENED DOWN AND VOTED NO?IS THERE AN ALTERNATIVE TO OUR PISS POOR GOVERNMENT,AT THE MINUTE,MOST DEFINATELY NO!!!!WILL THERE BE MASS CIVIL UPRISING IN OUR COUNTRY,NO!WHY?BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE FICKLE/FEARFUL AND MILLIONS OF PEOPLE HERE IN THE U.K DO NOT LIKE WHAT THEY DONT KNOW.I WILL NEVER VOTE LABOUR EVER AGAIN THAT IS ONE THING I CAN ASSURE YOU!MIND YOU AFTER WHAT THE TORIES DID TO THE MINING INDUSTRY,JUST BECAUSE SEVERAL HUNDRED THOUSAND YORKSHIRE MINERS DARED TO DEFY THATCHER,SHE BROUGHT ABOUT DRACONION UNION LEGISLATION AND DAMAGED OUR COUNTRY FOR EVER,THE I WOULD RATHER DIE THAN VOTE FOR THE TORIES!THE LIB DEMS ARE WANK ANALL,SO THEY ARE A NO GO FOR ME EITHER!**One thing for me for sure while ever we are letting FINANCIAL immigrants into our country and handing them EVERYTHING on a plate,then, the B.N.P is going to grow massively year in,year out.

OK.... Why do you think a referendum is necesarry on the Lisbon treaty, when it mainly concerns Qualified majority Voting, streamliming of the Commission and several other actions desgined to the make the EU run more smoothly with twenty seven countries rather than the same rules and procedures that that were designed for fifteen in Maastricht?

Draconian Union legislation was designed to stop the Unions bringing the country to a grinding halt, which the unions had done many times since the Second World War. Ultimately, the mining industry was mostly not economically viable> But that was twenty years ago now and isnt really relevant anymore. The reality is, the Yorkshire minders had next to no support from anyone outside their own community, and if you dont believe me then I'm happy to refer you to the General Election results of 1987.

Nothing is stopping anyone from paying a good old British builder £1000 for building a wall. The fact is, the Labour makret was vastly undermanned for years, which, because of the lack of competetion, allowed builders, plumbers etc to charge wahtever they like. Eastern European immigrants have played a vital role in filling that gap in the market and making sure inflation doesnt spiral even further out of control. So yes, it does stimulate the economy, because it means that people have more money to spend on themselves rather that lining the pocket of some builder who overcharges because of lack of competetion. 52k per annum for being a bricklayer sounds tad excessive if you ask me.

If people are being squeezed by the influx of Eastern Europeans, then its up to the individual to adapt nad making sure that they're spot isnt taken by anybody else.

None of the major benefits of being in the EU? Must have passed me by that one. Of course, it not a plus to have ludicrously ewasy trade arrangements with our near neighbours, free of tarfiffs and restrictions? No, its not a beneifit to be a part of the only poliitcal and economic bloc which is capable of competing with the US and Japan. Its not a beneift either to be in partnership with France and Germany rather than competing with them in an increasingly global world.

See past arguments with Craig as to why the BNP wont continue to grow and grow.

I'm shitting myself.

Running my own business, morgaged and loaned up to the bollocks after my divorce, massive maintenence payments and huge travel costs. I might have the income to just cover it all but I'm only one cancelled contract away from utter meltdown. Watching all of my income go on tax, interest and the ex- isn't funny.

Fortunately, I'm too self-centred to think that any of it could possibly be more important than the way I feel. I feel fine, so there's no problem.

Sheds on a Plane wrote: Was pissing about $4+/gallon gas here, until this tasty Serbian girl staying w/ us advised in Belgrade, it's $10 a gallon.

Shut me right up.

You think you pay a lot for gas? Perhaps you'd prefer to live in Venezuela.:D

http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/lists/global_gasprices/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasoline_usage_and_pricing

Indeed!

The Sub-Cultured Perfect Kisser*!* wrote:

Sheds on a Plane wrote: Was pissing about $4+/gallon gas here, until this tasty Serbian girl staying w/ us advised in Belgrade, it's $10 a gallon.

Shut me right up.

You think you pay a lot for gas? Perhaps you'd prefer to live in Venezuela.:D

http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/lists/global_gasprices/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasoline_usage_and_pricing

Indeed!

Lady and i went on holiday/vacation to Venezuela in 2006. The rep at our hotel said that he could fill the tank in his ford focus for £4/$7.50

Venezuela is a very "oil rich" country so i guess they wont be feeling the bcredit crubch that much!

AND a beer was about 4 pence in our money!

I would recommend anyone go to Margarita island,cheap as chips!

So perhaps that could be the answer to our economic crisis,especially with the Euro being so strong against the pound.

Venezuela DOES feel the effect of this oil price hike. It simply means MORE MONEY to them.

It's quite unusual on how of all the oil and/or gas producing countries, and based on that list, Norway has the second most expensive gasoline.

Just remember the lyrics of the Beatles' song "Taxman."

Indeed!

Draconian Union legislation was designed to stop the Unions bringing the country to a grinding halt, which the unions had done many times since the Second World War. Ultimately, the mining industry was mostly not economically viable> But that was twenty years ago now and isnt really relevant anymore. The reality is, the Yorkshire minders had next to no support from anyone outside their own community, and if you dont believe me then I'm happy to refer you to the General Election results of 1987.

If people are being squeezed by the influx of Eastern Europeans, then its up to the individual to adapt nad making sure that they're spot isnt taken by anybody else.

None of the major benefits of being in the EU? Must have passed me by that one. Of course, it not a plus to have ludicrously ewasy trade arrangements with our near neighbours, free of tarfiffs and restrictions? No, its not a beneifit to be a part of the only poliitcal and economic bloc which is capable of competing with the US and Japan. Its not a beneift either to be in partnership with France and Germany rather than competing with them in an increasingly global world.

See past arguments with Craig as to why the BNP wont continue to grow and grow.

Liam i love you!

Never one to shy away from a good topical debate!

Let me just try and tell you where i'm coming from:

I am a trade unionist,in fact i am a third generation trade unionist.

I personally believe that i can make a difference in my place of work and the people that i represent,i am NOT saying that i am a reg ragger/socialist etc,however:

I personally believe that British workers should be dealt a better hand,they should come FIRST,BEFORE immigrant workers.

Again,dont get me wrong,i am not against immigrant workers per se,in fact i have 4 Latvian neighbours who are lovely people and do work every hour they can.

The unions set up the labour party in the begining to protect the averege working man,this no longer applies,in fact when the labour party was canvassing for votes 2 years previous to their "win" they promised that once in power, the unions would recieve union member/worker friendly legislation,this has NOT happened!

Suprisingly,the unions WERE the major contributor to the Labour party for the last 50 years,this is no longer the case. Members have lost faith in the labour party and so the votes go elsewhere.

People will vote for the B.N.P because,they,the average working man,even life long tory voters are sick and tired of the governments promises on immigration.

The lib dems are a joke,so people see that the B.N.P are/the perception is that the B.N.P will put an end to immigration so they will continue to recieve more support in the coming years. people are so fed up of the mainstream political parties that they WILL vote B.N.P as by way of protest.

NOTE:

by no way does any of my comments percieve/mtean that i am in ANY way affiliated and/or support The political party that is the B.N.P .

With regard to the E.U Legislation i hinted at:

Here in the U.K companies can fold at the drop of a hat without any thought of the implications for communities. In the E.U when a factory closes,it takes 18 months from the official notice date to wind up a company.

This is where the u.k falls way behind.

Believe me i know all about this. The factory i used to work at closed in 2005. Administrators were appointed in November 2004 and by march 2005 the site was empty with a total loss of 480 jobs. 480 jobs lost in a community as small as our was a catastrophic loss,in fact our factory was the third biggest employer in our town.

I dont really know what point i'm trying to make but thats me done.

One last point:

I hope that Thatcher dies a slow and agonising death.

The Sub-Cultured Perfect Kisser*!* wrote: Venezuela DOES feel the effect of this oil price hike. It simply means MORE MONEY to them.

It's quite unusual on how of all the oil and/or gas producing countries, and based on that list, Norway has the second most expensive gasoline.

Just remember the lyrics of the Beatles' song "Taxman."

Indeed!

Norway is also the MOST taxed country on EARTH!