The future of Europe

Anything else you want to talk about.
Post Reply
User avatar
RF
Senior Member
Posts: 7760
Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 1:15 pm
Location: Wolverhampton, ENGLAND

Re: The future of Europe

Post by RF »

Its up to the voters Gary. At the moment it looks as if it is three way, with the LibDems slightly in front.

But in the last few general elections two independents, Martin Bell as an ''anti-sleaze' candidate, and Dr Richard Taylor, of Kiddeminster Hospital and Health Concern, have been elected as MP's. So I think there is a chance for other parties. Remember that historically the Labour Party started out from nothing and eventually replaced the Liberals as the alternative to the Conservatives - Labour was founded in 1900, the first Labour Government took office in 1924. UKIP started in 1995. Similary Plaid Cymru and the SNP also started off from nothing, now are major parties in Wales and Scotland, we even get their party political broadcasts in England!

Give UKIP the same level of media exposure as the main three parties - then see what happens. But UKIP is getting more exposure in this election anyway. And as we move more and more away from a two party into a genuine multi-party system in England as well as Wales/Scotland something will give. We will I think get a change in the barmy electoral system we have - at the moment if you look at the BBC election seat calculator, if the Lib Dems did come first in votes they are a poor third in seats, while Labour, in third place, is the biggest party! Such a result would condemn ''first past the post'' voting to the history books. Give us the alternative vote, plus top up on PR basis, as Micheal Heaver and Gerard Batten in UKIP advocate, then we can see a fair reflection of what the voters really want. For one thing voters wouldn't be stuck with the far right or far left if they were anti-EU.
''Give me a Ping and one Ping only'' - Sean Connery.
User avatar
Gary
Senior Member
Posts: 706
Joined: Mon Apr 17, 2006 3:37 pm
Location: Northumberland

Re: The future of Europe

Post by Gary »

Theres something about that Nick Clegg that worries me.
I wouldnt trust him as PM.
In some ways, politicians are like car salesmen - they tell you this, tell you that and once you've signed on the dotted line, they've got what they want and you are committed :stubborn:
God created the world in 6 days.........and on the 7th day he built the Scharnhorst
User avatar
RF
Senior Member
Posts: 7760
Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 1:15 pm
Location: Wolverhampton, ENGLAND

Re: The future of Europe

Post by RF »

Nick Clegg is very pro EU and only became an MP at the last general election in 2005. Prior to that he was a European Parliament MEP, which is his main background and experience as a politician.
''Give me a Ping and one Ping only'' - Sean Connery.
User avatar
Gary
Senior Member
Posts: 706
Joined: Mon Apr 17, 2006 3:37 pm
Location: Northumberland

Re: The future of Europe

Post by Gary »

It'll be intresting to see what develops in the EU with this multi-billion bail out package for Greece!!!!
God created the world in 6 days.........and on the 7th day he built the Scharnhorst
User avatar
RF
Senior Member
Posts: 7760
Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 1:15 pm
Location: Wolverhampton, ENGLAND

Re: The future of Europe

Post by RF »

The problem with the bail out package for Greece is that the EU is keeping the precise details secret. An initial cost of £600 million was quoted, to be paid by those members of the EU who have adopted the Euro, but I suspect the true cost will be much more.

Now Gordon Brown did announce in the House of Commons that the cost would not fall on the British taxpayer. As the details are secret, how do we know whether he speaks with forked tongue? Or what the true cost is?
''Give me a Ping and one Ping only'' - Sean Connery.
User avatar
RF
Senior Member
Posts: 7760
Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 1:15 pm
Location: Wolverhampton, ENGLAND

Re: The future of Europe

Post by RF »

The details of the bail out package for Greece are now starting to emerge - safetly after the British General Election, so the voters won't have any say on this.

The Lisbon Treaty contains clauses which will require Britain to underwrite some £13 billion of the deficits of some of the EU countries, including Greece. This commiment will be triggered by the ''exceptional circumstances'' clause in the Lisbon Treaty, which following ratification by Britain no future or existing British Government will be able to opt out of. The only exception to that would be British withdrawal from the EU.

This comes after the statement to the House of Commons by Gordon Brown that Britain would not be contributing to the bail out package for Greece. A case of porky pies?
''Give me a Ping and one Ping only'' - Sean Connery.
User avatar
RF
Senior Member
Posts: 7760
Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 1:15 pm
Location: Wolverhampton, ENGLAND

Re: The future of Europe

Post by RF »

I see from the latest meeting between our Prime Minister David Cameron and the President of the European Commission, Manuel Barosso, that the British government has reaffirmed that it will ''play a positive role in Europe.'' The first round of budget cuts have been announced to the British Parliament, some six billion pounds which primarily features cuts to schemes to support the unemployed, targeted financial support to the private sector (such as the £80 million promised to Sheffield Forgemasters) and other ares where cuts can be made at the expense of the public without inconveniencing the political nomenklatura.

What is not being subject to any cut is the British ''contribution'' to fund the EU, or to any of the political correctness and climate change quangos which the Conservatives fully support. This is the reality of ''vote for change'' - no real change at all, just full steam ahead for our new Tony Blair.
''Give me a Ping and one Ping only'' - Sean Connery.
User avatar
RF
Senior Member
Posts: 7760
Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 1:15 pm
Location: Wolverhampton, ENGLAND

Re: The future of Europe

Post by RF »

Following on from my previous post, we now have the full 2010/2011 financial budget from our esteemed coalition government. We have an increAse in Value Added Tax standard rate from 17.5% to 20%, commencing 4th January 2011, set to raise £13 billion in a full year, in an attempt to reduce the British national debt.
This VAT increase has come from a Conservative Party that during the recent general election campaign repeatedly said ''we have no plans to increase the standard rate of VAT.'' Either they were lying, or their planning is very short term. Their Liberal Democrat lap dogs actively campaigned against a VAT increase. Now they are forcing it on us.

This increase in VAT will raise less extra revenue than the annual UK membership fee for the EU. in that context the increase in VAT is unnecessary, we can cut out the EU instead. Of course that is not on the agenda - we have to cut the deficit and bankroll the EU.

At least I didn't vote for either of these two Quisling parties. And I certainly won't be in the future.
''Give me a Ping and one Ping only'' - Sean Connery.
Byron Angel

Re: The future of Europe

Post by Byron Angel »

I'm convinced that none of this is going to end well, either in the EU or in the USA. Multiple decades of entitlement programs and welfare state indoctrination have created such expectations of a comfortable, governmentally guaranteed cradle to grave lifestyle that any sort of dramatic fiscal reform is IMHO politically unachievable. I foresee a progressive strangulation of private enterprise both big and small by governments desperate for ever more revenue to meet uncontrollably metasticizing budget and debt obligations until the national economies are ultimately asphyxiated. It is anyone's bet what will politically develop from there.

Who would have ever imagined that private enterprise today enjoys better tax treatment by far in Russia and China than in the "capitalist" West?


Byron
User avatar
frontkampfer
Member
Posts: 249
Joined: Thu May 10, 2007 2:35 am
Location: Phillipsburg, NJ - USA

Re: The future of Europe

Post by frontkampfer »

Friends,

I can see where you all are coming from. I live in NJ here in the US and the state is basically broke. Powerful state worker and teacher unions who are in bed with the Democrats who control the legislature have brought the state to the brink of ruin. The Republicans are guilty of catering to these unions in the past but slightly less so. They get Cadillac health plan that cover the worker and his spouse till death, cashing out of unused sick days to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars and guaranteed raises of 3% or more a year when the private sector hasn't given raises in two years (believe me, I know that first hand). The democrat solution is to tax "millionaires" making +$400 a year forgetting that many business file as individuals. The net result is that small business are folding and state tax revenues are way down. Democrat solution? Raise taxes more! Lets face it, if socialistic solutions, like subsidies are put forward to solving the worlds problems then the deficits incurred will only grow and the problems get worse. I fear for my state, my country and the world. I never thought things would look as bleak as they are!
"I will not have my ship shot out from under my ass!"
User avatar
RF
Senior Member
Posts: 7760
Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 1:15 pm
Location: Wolverhampton, ENGLAND

Re: The future of Europe

Post by RF »

This process will eventually produce a voter backlash from those who are paying for it in taxes. Step forward the next Barry Goldwater/Ronald Reagan.....
''Give me a Ping and one Ping only'' - Sean Connery.
User avatar
frontkampfer
Member
Posts: 249
Joined: Thu May 10, 2007 2:35 am
Location: Phillipsburg, NJ - USA

Re: The future of Europe

Post by frontkampfer »

Ahem!
"I will not have my ship shot out from under my ass!"
User avatar
RF
Senior Member
Posts: 7760
Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 1:15 pm
Location: Wolverhampton, ENGLAND

Re: The future of Europe

Post by RF »

Over the last few weeks there have been reports that the Icelandic government may be about to apply for EU membership. This will pose some interesting questions if this does happen - not just for the Icelandic fishing industry and fishing grounds, but also over the regulation of the Icelandic banks.
''Give me a Ping and one Ping only'' - Sean Connery.
User avatar
RF
Senior Member
Posts: 7760
Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 1:15 pm
Location: Wolverhampton, ENGLAND

Re: The future of Europe

Post by RF »

The emerging civil war in Libya seems to be presenting an opportunity for the European Union to apply the provisions of the Lisbon Treaty for the establishment of its own foreign policy. The international organisation that was set up to deal with the external implications of internal conflicts within countries, the United Nations, has had its role usurped by the European Union in favour of its own foreign policy posturing and possibly armed intervention in the form of ''no fly zones.''

Indeed the UN seems to have been airbrushed out of the equation completely. Our own Prime Minister, the Tony Blair clone David Cameron, is pushing for all this and no doubt we could soon see British forces deployed in Libya as the main part part of an EU armed force.

As Gadaffi seems to be getting the upper hand, this could be dangerous brinkmanship.
''Give me a Ping and one Ping only'' - Sean Connery.
User avatar
RF
Senior Member
Posts: 7760
Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 1:15 pm
Location: Wolverhampton, ENGLAND

Re: The future of Europe

Post by RF »

I notice that the UN has now been brought in as an afterthought, to try to give a ''no fly zone'' some sort of legitimacy - this does increasingly smack of desparation though, it seems it is up to President Obama to throw his weight behind it. But who wants to commit forces.....
''Give me a Ping and one Ping only'' - Sean Connery.
Post Reply