An interesting exercise would be to see what people on low wages consider to be essentials. Even in poorer areas of the country, sky dishes are commonplace, and there is often more than one car per household.

What many consider to be essentials were luxuries not too long ago.

In real terms, I’d wager that we’ve got a higher standard of living than we’ve ever had, but people always want more, and want to give less.

Newtons third law of motion applies (almost) perfectly to economics: “When one body exerts a force on a second body, the second body simultaneously exerts a force equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to that of the first body.”

Then of course we have the inflation argument, increased pay equals inflation, wrong !!!!!!!!, increased prices equals inflation,

increased wages = increased prices (unless you want to see our companies go bust) = increased inflation.

Or; increased wages = decreased profits = fewer jobs = more benefits.

It loos like the rollers draw the tube through, via the gears and the crank handle. The handle at the top looks like it determines the placing of the rollers.

what I have seen on the news seems to indicate that many of the (relatively few so far) immigrants are actually pretty well qualified, fluent English speakers and obviously intend to make a serious living here.

This is a point that seems to get overlooked during immigration debates. Bulgarians study English at School, and then man I have had the pleasure of knowing speak English to a very high standard. It is a similar situation with many countries, which is why the UK is more appealing to many migrants.

The Bulgarians wages tend to be very low, yet many of their expenses (petrol especially) are on a par with our own. Many leave Bulgaria because corruption and crime are rife.

But, with a lot of foreign investment currently taking place, many of my Bulgarian friends are finding fresh opportunities, especially in property management.

Blimey, there’s some flak tonight! 😀