Thank you, Laura, for explaining the UK situation to us Americans and making us feel a tiny bit better that we’re not the only corrupt failing lying rotting plutocracy on the planet pretending to be a democracy. And send more photos of the little sweet hope for the future!
Australia is also following this pattern. We elected a labour government and it’s buying submarines, opening weapons factories and fossil fuel projects and closing unions while people live in tents and cars and even working two jobs can still mean you eat from the food bank. Poverty is a choice of the powerful and don’t they love lecturing us about the cruelty they make us endure.
Well actually we didn't vote for Labour in record numbers Laura and the turnout was the lowest since WWII. If you include Farage's neo-fascist party vote along with the near Fascist Tory Party, they actually had more votes than Labour. There can never be a truly democratic election in the UK as the system is geared to keep one of the two parties, in power, forever. It's been this way for over a century.
Well we can't blame ourselves for voting for the 'lesser of two evils,' after being duped by a political nonentity with no principles at all , a duplicitous mainstream media with an ulterior agenda, or seduced by the wiles of Mossad can we? Looking back 70 years to O level Latin "vae victis" comes to mind. The 1% have truly conquered us and we've plenty of woe.
Nice piece, Laura. I think the dead badger probably has more integrity than Starmer. But as you point out in relation to Attlee's post war landslide, Labour does have a habit of doing little or nothing about actually making change that improves the lives of the poor and working people. Attlee could have easily abolished the Lords for example - they did create the NHS to be fair, but as Nye Bevan noted, he had to "stuff the consultants mouths with gold" - but instead allowed all those dead badgers to continue to adorn the ridiculous regalia of the landed gentry (you know, the Jeremy Clarkson's of farming). What are we left with, another uni party rules ok.
This. This is why I turn to Normal Island News for the critical insight one can find nowhere else. We all are aware that it is easy to tell when a politician is lying - their lips will be moving. But it takes a keen intellect to discern what they are lying about. Is it mere Bizarro World, where the truth is the exact opposite of what they say? Or do they mean to do nothing at all? Most likely the truth is somewhere in the middle, and thank the stars we have Laura to ferret out the meaning behind the words.
She could make anything from scratch. She made our coats as well as everything else. The only thing she didn’t do was shoes but our Father used to sole and heel them when necessary.
Instead of means testing, HMRC have fairly complete knowledge of who pays how much tax, and could flag anyone who “should” receive WFA, and it would probably be cheaper than the means testing procedure - and easier for those without internet access and computer literacy to claim it. But it won’t happen.
The problem is, the tax threshold is too low in the first place, whether you’re working or retired. The whole system is not fit for purpose, but means testing a benefit for people of whom many will not be computer/internet savvy is setting it up to fail - they don’t want to pay it, and it will hurt a lot of old people, many of whom are “too proud” to ask for help in the first place.
The Tories are lazy and corrupt, hence some people see them as the devil they know. New Labour are much more efficient oppressors - still fully signed up to the neoliberal project, but competent with it.
Same problem in the US. We get to choose between blue fascist light or red fascism. A slow, painful death of a thousand paper cuts or a slit throat. Yay democracy🫠
It's s pity you aren't writing for the MSM. They could with someone like you. In the meantime I forward your castigations and lacerating satires on to my friends. You are always a sane and fabulous read
Thank you, Laura, for explaining the UK situation to us Americans and making us feel a tiny bit better that we’re not the only corrupt failing lying rotting plutocracy on the planet pretending to be a democracy. And send more photos of the little sweet hope for the future!
Australia is also following this pattern. We elected a labour government and it’s buying submarines, opening weapons factories and fossil fuel projects and closing unions while people live in tents and cars and even working two jobs can still mean you eat from the food bank. Poverty is a choice of the powerful and don’t they love lecturing us about the cruelty they make us endure.
Yes, I feel a teeny bit less lonely now. Thank you Laura.
Well actually we didn't vote for Labour in record numbers Laura and the turnout was the lowest since WWII. If you include Farage's neo-fascist party vote along with the near Fascist Tory Party, they actually had more votes than Labour. There can never be a truly democratic election in the UK as the system is geared to keep one of the two parties, in power, forever. It's been this way for over a century.
Quite right William. There were more people voted Labour at the 2019 election - when Corbyn was leader - than did so this year.
Yes, but the elites would never allow Corbyn to be PM, much too dangerous even if he's not exactly a revolutionary.
Can you please send the dead badger across the pond? Sounds better than either of our choices.
Well we can't blame ourselves for voting for the 'lesser of two evils,' after being duped by a political nonentity with no principles at all , a duplicitous mainstream media with an ulterior agenda, or seduced by the wiles of Mossad can we? Looking back 70 years to O level Latin "vae victis" comes to mind. The 1% have truly conquered us and we've plenty of woe.
Dead people don't need no stinking heat, healthcare or fish and chips.
Stinking is what they do though, unfortunately.
Right? Problems solved.
Nice piece, Laura. I think the dead badger probably has more integrity than Starmer. But as you point out in relation to Attlee's post war landslide, Labour does have a habit of doing little or nothing about actually making change that improves the lives of the poor and working people. Attlee could have easily abolished the Lords for example - they did create the NHS to be fair, but as Nye Bevan noted, he had to "stuff the consultants mouths with gold" - but instead allowed all those dead badgers to continue to adorn the ridiculous regalia of the landed gentry (you know, the Jeremy Clarkson's of farming). What are we left with, another uni party rules ok.
This. This is why I turn to Normal Island News for the critical insight one can find nowhere else. We all are aware that it is easy to tell when a politician is lying - their lips will be moving. But it takes a keen intellect to discern what they are lying about. Is it mere Bizarro World, where the truth is the exact opposite of what they say? Or do they mean to do nothing at all? Most likely the truth is somewhere in the middle, and thank the stars we have Laura to ferret out the meaning behind the words.
I love reading your posts!
Sir Keir Thatcher, Saviour of the People…well…a rather small percentage of same…
I left the Labour Party whe
n Stürmer removed the whip from Jeremy Corbyn, so I can't leave the Labour Party. And £5000 for that suit? Dear me.
Me too. Plus my mother was a tailor, she’s probably rolling in her grave over that suit.
Did she sew your old blue jeans?
She could make anything from scratch. She made our coats as well as everything else. The only thing she didn’t do was shoes but our Father used to sole and heel them when necessary.
funny how short some people's memories are, 14 years of bankrupting country to feather nests of donors, friends etc
The true level of bankruptcy hidden until after election, including from OBR
The whole system is corrupt and seriously unfit for purpose.
The media are responsible for spreading lies and throwing yet more red meat to DM,DE,DT.
I hate Means Tests, but many oaps get WFA and don't actually need it.
How do you suggest it should be distributed.
Recommend that Ragged Trousered Philanthropists should be required reading as well as1984
Instead of means testing, HMRC have fairly complete knowledge of who pays how much tax, and could flag anyone who “should” receive WFA, and it would probably be cheaper than the means testing procedure - and easier for those without internet access and computer literacy to claim it. But it won’t happen.
I suggest making it taxable - meaning only those with excess income above the thresholx would pay any back.
The problem is, the tax threshold is too low in the first place, whether you’re working or retired. The whole system is not fit for purpose, but means testing a benefit for people of whom many will not be computer/internet savvy is setting it up to fail - they don’t want to pay it, and it will hurt a lot of old people, many of whom are “too proud” to ask for help in the first place.
Come back Jeremy, it was only a rash, not your fault.
The Tories are lazy and corrupt, hence some people see them as the devil they know. New Labour are much more efficient oppressors - still fully signed up to the neoliberal project, but competent with it.
Ouch! Rachel Reeves - 🤮 She drivels on about "growth" just like Pork Markets Liz did. We know what "growth" is shorthand for - tax cuts for the rich.
Same problem in the US. We get to choose between blue fascist light or red fascism. A slow, painful death of a thousand paper cuts or a slit throat. Yay democracy🫠
I say revive the dead badger. If anyone can do it it, it you Laura K 😉
It's s pity you aren't writing for the MSM. They could with someone like you. In the meantime I forward your castigations and lacerating satires on to my friends. You are always a sane and fabulous read