buctootim

I know professionally a Swedish billionaire living in the UK who paid £32,000 income tax last year. You tell me if that is right or not.

But the students mostly turn into Tories too

Yes, but it dosnt make it right. Lots of countries around the world, including the UK offer tax havens to foreigners. Essentially they only have to pay tax on the income earned in the country where they live, not on global income. Phillip Green earns almost nothing inside Monaco. Globally you now have multi millionaires and billionaires living in a different county to that of their origin in order to avoid tax. Thats why Monaco and Switzerland are full of the British rich whilst London is full of Swedish and Russian billionaires. Its also why companies such as Hewlett Packard, Gateway and Dell have their European HQs in Ireland and HSBC and Barclays are threatening to relocate to Hong Kong - to avoid corporation tax.

Which prison are you in Johnny?

Those labels are outdated now. Nowhere in the world does out and out capitalism or true socialism exist. Everywhere operates a regulated market economy and wealth redistribution. Economies and politics have converged, the only difference is the degree of regulation.

Whilst there is greater inequality in terms of income now between the rich and those on average incomes - lifestyles have actually become much more similar. (yes I know this a generralisation) 50 years ago the rich holidayed abroad, ate in restaurants, drove to work and lived in centrally heated homes. People on average incomes holidayed on the IOW, made sandwiches, travelled to work on the bus and huddled round the single coal fire. Beyond a certain point additional money doesnt add much to your quality of life. I actually know people who have sold their Aston Martin for a Ford Mondeo and moved from their big country house back to a 'normal' town centre place - not because they had to, but because rich mans toys often aren't all they're cracked up to be.

But our ratio of on target shots to off target is as good as most teams - ie we are having more shots, getting our fair share on target and still not scoring. Makes it even odder.

Great comment posted below that Halifax ad. "I find this add most annoying. I wish that girls head would fall off when she's nodding it in the guy's face. If I was him, I would punch her & say "Oi gargoyle!, keep your ****ing ugly mush out of my face & stop invading my personal space". I do not find her attractive, in fact, I wouldn't ride her into battle. Also, If that lialac tank top she is wearing is part of Halifax's corporate image, another waste of tax payers money. That colour makes me feel sick."

American psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg did a lot of work on moral development and believed there were six levels. All humans progress sequentially from stage 1 in early childhood through to the higher stages. However most adults dont reach stage six and may top out at 3,4 or 5. It has a lot of relevance for the left / right, me first / society first argument. You cant really paraphrase his work but the basics are below. Stage one is characterized by blind obedience to rules and authority and a fear of punishment. Stage two is characterized by seeking to pursue one's concrete interests, recognizing that others need to do the same, and a calculating instrumental approach to decision-making. Stage three is characterized by trying to live up to the expectations of others for good behavior, by having good motives, and by fostering close relationships. Stage four is characterized by a concern for maintaining the social system in order to promote social order and welfare. Stage five is characterized by judging the moral worth of societal rules and values insofar as they are consistent with fundamental values, such as liberty, the general welfare or utility, human rights, and contractual obligations. Stage six is characterized by universal principles of justice and respect for human autonomy.

Gypsy Rose Hamster.

I would do Hammy but Ive been off of demos since I went to have a gander at the G8 demo in Regent Street a few years ago. Only went for a hour during lunch break, got penned in and not released till 8pm. I was in a suit as well. Like locking the gazelle up with the lions

What are we protesting about? That there isnt enough money to go around, or that whilst we admit we've had the party for the past 10 years, we dont want to pay the bill now.

Ergo everyone who enjoys the odd **** must be gay.

Its possible to argue, if anyone could be arsed, that the value of successful British fiilms being shown around the world amounts to more than just the box office income. Its like a commercial break for how great Britain is and how people should spend their money /do business here.

Bit too soon for a book about the Lowe/ Wilde / Crouch years imo.

Of course gramps. Perhaps with your larger than average intellect you could tell us why a dozen or so of the players who left have left under a cloud in the past few years are now playing succesfully in higher leagues with other clubs. Mid table league 1 is fitting for a club with 20,000 plus attendances and the highest wages and transfer budget. Oh and you're right, its all Adkins fault.

Agree. There is a usually big difference between what you want and what you can get in January.

The joy of your posts is that no-one needs to ridicule them. They come ready equipped with a loudhailer so everyone can hear for themselves how past it and occluded you are.

Tell her she can stay on the aquarium packet stuff if she cant stomach it.

...

Deppo had just become my friend and now he's gone. Im going to play Leader of the Pack by the Shangri Las a lot.

Ask him yourself @househuntingupnorth1

All the successful economies are regulated market based. NONE are unbridled capitalism and NONE are totally socialist. Both these threads are based on a specious premise. The only real argument is just how much regulation and redistribution of wealth there should be. And before somebody says none, which one of the fuc kwits will - total deregulation - you know where old ladies die in the street and goods are shoddy and dangerous, is bad for business - you just end up with a free for all race to the bottom - which successful international companies refuse to take part in .

Stop wearing your nylon shellsuits. hth

Theres a huge difference between equality of opportunity - an equal chance in life to make of it what you can - and enforced levelling down of adults. Singapore has the first system - excellent education and healthcare provided by the state - but very little in the way of social welfare or pensions.