Perhaps SiP's post should be copied to the "What is wrong with America ? " thread. The US of A gives the impression that it is developing into an extremely bi-polar society.
FWIW, Laughing Gnome is my wife's favourite Bowie song.
It is 'of it's time' and has to be viewed in that context. For heaven's sake, the Beatles wrote and recorded 'Octopus's Garden'.
Couple this with the change in financing for student nurses and midwives, from bursaries to loans. Whose side will the public's sympathy lie with - employers or employees ?