Yes, the human race is wrecking the planet–It’s called over population.

This.

Cracking, but the lanc one isn’t quite the same as the original that I used to stare at in the old catalogues. Is that just a case of me being old or a copyright thing?

It’s a ‘new tool’ Lancaster, and they’ve changed the box art.

And frankly if you believe that sh*t then you probably do need a helper in the bathroom of a morning.

Could you indicate which industry you’re refering to..?
I’ll happily discuss specifics with you on that score.
I can furnish practical examples if you want–I have a 1964 Francis Barnett in my workshop which is a bag of sh*t compared with a Honda of the same vintage.
Could it be something to do with chronic under-investment…?
Cars, electronics, motorbikes, railways, chemicals, etc etc.

Please don’t be a cretin and resort to petty toilet insults, we’re supposed to be grown ups on here.

Chronic underinvestment in a state owned company is still the responsibility of the state. But if you knew anything about cars from the British Leyland era, you’d know that many of the faults were not with investment, they were with poor quality checks and standards.

The danger with this is that the weaker or less able in our society would be left behind. Human nature is surely to try and help each other and work together for the common good. There are countless examples of what humans can achieve when they work together.

Making people dependent on handouts isn’t doing anything for the common good! Survival of the fittest is natures way (an indisputable fact) and we would do well to remember this. Also, the equal distribution of wealth around the world would result in a MUCH lower living standard than we are used to in the UK.

Capitalism is also flawed, but is definitely a much fairer and sustainable system than socialism. It’s human nature that is the achilles heel of capitalism, but this equally applies to socialism.

Well, it’s just nonsense isn’t it. China has the fastest growing economy in the world. Seems at odds for the repository of hopelessness and the abode of failure.

Unbridled capitalism almost bankrupted the world. State control of those parts of industry that require it mixed with free enterprise is the best way forward. Combine that with enough taxation to protect the most vulnerable in society and that is what we should strive towards.

A small point. What does “The mole’s role in a hole” actually mean?

China is just as capitalist as the West. The wealth divide in China is huge! And Chinas current wealth is a direct result of western capitalism and free market economics.

State control destroyed most of the UK manufacturing industry. However, I do believe that there should be state owned, non profit utilities and fuel providers.

Re 10

Andy,

I fear nothing and no one – not even Derekf, and he’s pretty fearsome!

My personal view of socialism, is one that regards it as the most pernicious collection of impoverished ideas ever to to be imposed on the people of the world.

It does not elevate. It does nothing to encourage ambition, responsibility, attainment and progress – in any direction. Competition is stifled. Elitism is regarded as beneath contempt. Under socialism, all must have prizes regardless of ability. Incompetance is rewarded, ability derided.

Socialism is the repository of hopelessness and the abode of failure.

That’s how I see it.

And I second that.

Socialism is deeply flawed, and ultimately a self defeating ideology. It is just as much about greed as capitalism is.

Life is unfair, people aren’t born equal and some will do better than others. This is natures way, and it encourages us as a species to push our boundaries.

Societys obsession with handouts could well be the doom of our species.

to go to Helmsley, Malton, Pickering, York, Beverley or Harrogate.

Harrogate is still lovely, but York (where I live) and Helmsley are pretty bad now.

Councils being greedy with parking fees and business rates are destroying small town centre shops.

As has already been mentioned here, parking charges play a huge part in this.

You can’t do anything in the UK without someone wanting to take a cut 🙁

From what I can recall hearing only 3 island residents who voted opted for Argentine rule. How do you think they feel this morning, deflated?

Those 3 didn’t vote for Argentine rule, they just voted not to remain a British territory 🙂

I suspect the 3 who voted that way are well known though, and probably not too popular at the moment 😀