Politics.

[Scandichic]

I think politics should be absolutely kept OUT and OFF the forum. Its a sure way to inflame and spoil relations between members. Better to focus on our common interests and concerns.

Why? If I disagree then I either stop reading the thread or pass comment. We're all grownups so surely we can respect each other's opinions? I don't think that people are politicised enough these days.

 

[Scandichic]

I will vote not because I believe any of the lies of any of the party's but mainly because I feel that if I don't then I will have no right to complain when the reigning group make a mess of things as usual.
I just wish they would stop slagging each other off and maybe take a look at the others ideas list and see if they can make use of it and make it work for us.

Spot on!

 

[JTL]

I think that this is wrong. People went through hardship, were ostracised and even died so I could vote. So I feel that it is my moral duty to exercise that right.
For those who are interested, my first vote was for the greens and there after labour. I try to encourage the young people I work with that it is important for them to vote. I have talked about some of my views and told them that they should read all the manifestos and make their own minds up. But they should find out what's going on in their own countries, the rest of the world and vote.
I have friends and relatives who vote differently to me. That's fine - but they are wrong
Google the word Tory. It's an 18th century term for robber or thief!

I have to disagree.
That view means voting has gone from being a right to being a duty.
That's not what people fought for.
Some people even want to make it a legal duty.
Again not what was fought for.
As long as people are pressured in some way or other to vote then we no longer live in a democratic society.
It's already not very democratic as it is.
If people have to vote then politics and politicians and political parties will never have to change much.
If I could I'd campaign for the don't vote for me or anyone else party in an attempt to bring about a constitutional crisis.
It's the only way I can see of making changes to our political system.
It needs changes.
One change should be doubling maybe even more MP's salary which I've posted about somewhere else ... NHS thread I think.

 

[JTL]

I will vote not because I believe any of the lies of any of the party's but mainly because I feel that if I don't then I will have no right to complain

If you voted then you have no right to complain about what those people did and do in your name.
I who didn't vote have every right to complain that you voted in yet another war party ... another protect the rich and wealthy party while I was sat at home waiting for someone I honestly felt ok voting for.
So long as you play their game it will never change.
If voting changed anything it would be illegal.
The game of the majority tramples on the mnority isn't very clever.
Surely we can do better.

 

[Scandichic]

I have to disagree.
That view means voting has gone from being a right to being a duty.
That's not what people fought for.
Some people even want to make it a legal duty.
Again not what was fought for.
As long as people are pressured in some way or other to vote then we no longer live in a democratic society.
It's already not very democratic as it is.
If people have to vote then politics and politicians and political parties will never have to change much.
If I could I'd campaign for the don't vote for me or anyone else party in an attempt to bring about a constitutional crisis.
It's the only way I can see of making changes to our political system.
It needs changes.
One change should be doubling maybe even more MP's salary which I've posted about somewhere else ... NHS thread I think.

I think that it is a moral duty. How can you complain about the system if you abstain? With rights come responsibilities. Politics govern every aspect of our lives whether working or retired, old or young. I abhor our current government and what it and others have done to my profession and that of others. I am financially worse off now than I was 5 years ago. My pay is performance related and there are many teachers who are not payed their due for unscrupulous reasons by people who should know better. I have seen good colleagues been made redundant and lose homes and livelihoods. There are teachers out there who are undeserving losing jobs because of unscrupulous people bringing competency proceedings against them with a frightening lack of evidence which no one (including the unions does anything about) and whilst I do not think any party is even close to perfect I feel that it behoves me to vote.
I would gladly see it enforced though I probably wouldn't like the results!
I am thoroughly enjoying debating this with you!

 

[JTL]

I think that it is a moral duty. How can you complain about the system if you abstain? With rights come responsibilities. Politics govern every aspect of our lives whether working or retired, old or young. I abhor our current government and what it and others have done to my profession and that of others. I am financially worse off now than I was 5 years ago. My pay is performance related and there are many teachers who are not payed their due for unscrupulous reasons by people who should know better. I have seen good colleagues been made redundant and lose homes and livelihoods. There are teachers out there who are undeserving losing jobs because of unscrupulous people bringing competency proceedings against them with a frightening lack of evidence which no one (including the unions does anything about) and whilst I do not think any party is even close to perfect I feel that it behoves me to vote.
I would gladly see it enforced though I probably wouldn't like the results!
I am thoroughly enjoying debating this with you!

So who can you vote for that will change what you want changing?
It was unelected right wing bankers who have caused the financial problems all because Bill Clinton removed the Glass Steagal act which was there to prevent bankers ever doing this kind of thing again.
Once this deregulation had happened in America everyone had to follow suit or lose out in the financial casinos.
Cameron wanted and preached while in opposition to give even greater freedom to banks (his wife is closely related to the the Rothschilds) all regulation be removed.
This free market globalisation kind of capitalism isn't something we get to vote for.
The anti globalisation people can only march protest and be labelled hippies.
But globalisation we got despite having the vote and we're stuck with it despite having the vote.
The banks and corporations are making the decisions.
In Davos last week the worlds wealthy were setting the agenda for dealing with climate change third world debt the economoc situation of Europe Greece Russia etc .... did any of us get to vote on that stuff?

 

[Robinredbreast]

Pasha having a look around this place it would seem our common interests are wide ranging.
Music arts and crafts photography ... and maybe some politics.

This happens such a lot on many sites, the to and fro, and high % about, Politics, Religion, Football and some foodie problems and then disagreements , some very vocal, falling out and 99% of the time it's males hey ho

With my very best wishes RRB

 

[JTL]

The world is governed by very different personages from what is imagined by those who are not behind the scenes.

Benjamin Disraeli

 

[JTL]

We get to vote in managers who manage for others.
They are allowed a certain amount of leeway as to what manner they manage in.
Other than that politics is mostly dead.
Is there a decent left wing socialist choice out there?

 

[al_leister]

Here is the first rule of politics: if you never vote for what you want, you never get it. We are told at every election to hold our noses, forget the deficiencies and betrayals and vote Labour yet again, for fear of something worse(1).
Follow the advice of the noseholders and we will be lost forever in Labour’s Bermuda triangulation.
Whether it wins or loses the general election, Labour is probably finished. It would take a generation to replace the sycophants who let Blair and Brown rip their party’s values to shreds. By then it will be history. If Labour wins in May, it is likely to destroy itself faster and more surely than if it loses, through the continued implementation of austerity. That is the lesson from Europe.
Fearful voting shifts the whole polity to the right. Tony Blair’s obeisance to corporate power enabled the vicious and destructive policies the Coalition now pursues(14). The same legacy silences Labour in opposition, as it pioneered most of the policies it should oppose. It is because we held our noses before that there is a greater stink today. So do we keep voting for a diluted version of Tory politics, for fear of the concentrate?

http://www.monbiot.com/2015/01/28/the-lamps-are-coming-on-all-over-europe/

 

[Robinredbreast]

The world is governed by very different personages from what is imagined by those who are not behind the scenes.

Benjamin Disraeli

Oh yes, I know that from the past, the present and no doubt the future

RRB

 

[izzzi]

I don't vote.
I will turn up and make a mark or a statement but I won't vote.

If you do not vote,there is no point discussing your political views.
If all people did not vote, then what ?
Government without a mandate would have no choice but to rule by force.

 

[JTL]

If you do not vote,there is no point discussing your political views.
If all people did not vote, then what ?
Government without a mandate would have no choice but to rule by force.

To not vote is my political decision.
Based on my political views at present.
Why is it not a valid decision?
Many people will vote without much understanding of what they are voting for.
That makes their political decision more valid than mine?
There is no individual or party who I can vote for but I should vote anyway?

 

[rowan]

I don't vote.
I will turn up and make a mark or a statement but I won't vote.

Seems a shame to waste a vote, why not vote Green and vote for real change? They're the only ones who care about the planet and our future more than their own pockets

 

[Scandichic]

To not vote is my political decision.
Based on my political views at present.
Why is it not a valid decision?
Many people will vote without much understanding of what they are voting for.
That makes their political decision more valid than mine?
There is no individual or party who I can vote for but I should vote anyway?

So you read the manifestos and vote for the best from a really bad bunch. By not voting, you are allowing Cameron and his cronies to remain in power!

 

[anna29]

I don't vote.
I will turn up and make a mark or a statement but I won't vote.

? Eh ?
A thread on politics here from a non voter
Strange one - to me

We all know what can happen with Politics and Religion debate(s)

 

[Robinredbreast]

The Vote, Use it or loose it. For women back in the late 19th century into the 20th, meant that suffragettes died to get the vote, and I intend to use mine, as I always do, but the Tories, I think not, who,? it is going to be so difficult

RRB

 

[Robinredbreast]

? Eh ?
A thread on politics here from a non voter
Strange one - to me

We all know what can happen with Politics and Religion debate(s)

I mentioned that earlier

Voting for The Monster raving loony party would be better than nothing

 

[anna29]

I mentioned that earlier

Voting for The Monster raving loony party would be better than nothing

Remember that - screaming Lord Sutch wasn't it ?

 

[JTL]

So you read the manifestos and vote for the best from a really bad bunch. By not voting, you are allowing Cameron and his cronies to remain in power!

Replace him with more of the same under a different banner?
Or waste a vote by voting for the greens?
I'm quite happy with my choice and my freedom to make that choice based on all the available evidence.
I could change my mind.