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#1 (permalink) |
follower of the child's crusade?
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For the first time in my life I didnt vote Labour
I realise most people here post about US Politics, but from the UK....
I have flirted with the Socialist Workers party, but never voted for them because it seemed a wasted vote and most of the times I went to meetings most of people there struck me as self obsessed and totally out of touch with the world. I joined the Labour party when I was 18, unfortunately around the time it abandoned its commitment to genuine socialism. The last few years have been bad from my point of view, but B Liar was the focus of all the negative attention, the disasterous war in Iraq and Afghanistan, the cash for honours, the murder of an innocent Brazilian electrician by armed thugs from the MET, 30 days detention... But nothing hit me in the gut like the 10% tax debacle. I do not know anyone, whatever their political position, that could support funding a tax cut for middle income earners by increasing the tax burden of the poorest and most vulnerable people in society. I work in an office... Im a supervisor and the tax cut was pretty neutral to me, for my bosses it means they take home more money... for the girls in the admin office, the mail room staff, the cleaners - they pay MORE tax now. It is wrong wrong wrong - this from a socialist prime minister, a "conviction politician" - Gordon Brown has not only failed the country, he has not only shown himself as weak, indecisive, and clumsy: he has portrayed the very people that form the basis of Labour. I would never vote for the Conservative Party as a matter of principle. I certainly will not vote for the present Labour Party... not until there is a REAL reckoning, not until they REALLY see that what they have done is wrong and rebase the moral position that the party is founded upon. In the local elections on Thursday I voted Green, and will do so in the General Election. I dont even care if the Tories win my town's seat - Labour are not just getting it wrong, they are cutting themselves off from the people who ARE the Labour party, and they should all be thrown out.
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"Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate, for all things are plain in the sight of Heaven. For nothing hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain without being uncovered." The Gospel of Thomas |
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#4 (permalink) |
Upright
Location: Brighton, UK
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I voted green in the locals, but in the general election I will still vote Labour - because lets face it, we have a two horse race, and I'd rather not see the Conservatives in.
I think this just shows what a utterly dire state UK politics is in. ...and while we're at it: I actually cannot believe that Boris Johnson is London mayor. The Conservatives didn't win today, Labour just lost really badly. |
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#5 (permalink) |
follower of the child's crusade?
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The idea of Boris in any position of power is pretty incredible, and it cant be long before he makes some horrendous gaff - but I think its probably AS concerning the level of votes that the BNP was able to secure in London.
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"Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate, for all things are plain in the sight of Heaven. For nothing hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain without being uncovered." The Gospel of Thomas |
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#6 (permalink) | |
Upright
Location: Brighton, UK
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Quote:
I wonder what effect BNP candidate will have on his area. Bad times. |
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#7 (permalink) |
The sky calls to us ...
Super Moderator
Location: CT
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This is pretty much how it feels in the US. Sure, minor parties might win a seat here and there in local elections, but the national election sucks and leaves you with no real choice.
I also know how you feel with the disgust at "your" party's behavior. I was too young to vote in 2000, but I would have voted for Nader if I could have. Over the next few years I realized that their platform was unrealistic and short-sighted, and registered as a Democrat. Disillusioned by the disgraceful conduct of the Dems in the 2004 election cycle, I voted Libertarian and dropped my party affiliation. In 2006, a fresh face appeared in local politics and ran against a 22-year incumbent congressman. Inspired by the fact that someone could be so in-touch with my generation and have such a fresh outlook on politics, I registered as a Libertarian. Now, I see "my" party composed of right-wing ideologues and candidates who, for the most part, run on platforms that are xenophobic or outright racist, or who are all complaints and no solutions. Once again, I'll be voting for someone I don't fully support but who is better than anyone else. I know how you feel. |
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#8 (permalink) |
sufferable
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>>For the first time in my life I didnt vote Labour<<
. . . and looked what happened. its troublesome all the way around isnt it? besitos.
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As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons...be cheerful; strive for happiness - Desiderata Last edited by girldetective; 05-05-2008 at 01:13 PM.. |
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#9 (permalink) |
follower of the child's crusade?
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Boris strikes me as a really good guy to have a drink with... not a good guy to be in charge of anything, let alone the greatest Western capital.
I think the fact that even till the end people werent sure how it was going to go despite a huge swing against Labour is a testament to the fact that people admire Ken and his style. __ But anyway, I have always voted Labour all my life - despite however left wing I might be in theory, when it comes to the crunch I will vote Labour because it is a two horse race and any vote that isnt for them is going against them, and lesser of two evils, etc.... Right now, I am so angry still about the 10% tax issue - I genuinely am prepared for my vote to count for the Tory's, even if I cant vote for them. Also - environmental issues are really important, and as protest votes go, I think it is a worthwhile cause to protest.
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"Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate, for all things are plain in the sight of Heaven. For nothing hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain without being uncovered." The Gospel of Thomas |
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#11 (permalink) | |
Wehret Den Anfängen!
Location: Ontario, Canada
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5225$ 0$ vs 0$ or no change
7455$ 223$ vs 404$ or -0.5$/day 10000$ 782.9$ vs 913$ or -0.1$/day 15000$ 1882.9$ vs 1913$ or -0.1$/day 20000$ 2982.9$ vs 2913$ or +0.2$/day 25000$ 4082.9$ vs 3913$ or +0.5$/day 30000$ 5182.9$ vs 4913$ or +0.7$/day 35000$ 6282.9$ vs 5913$ or +1.0$/day 39725$ 7322.4$ vs 6858$ or +1.3$/day 41435$ 8006.4$ vs 7200$ or +2.2$/day Above: no relative change, or +2.2$/day Other changes: Quote:
Assuming a 3% inflation rate and tax bands that move with inflation, about 183$/year of the above reduction in tax for someone earning in the top bracket could be accounted for via tax band movement. If there was an accumulated 20% inflation that hadn't been accounted for in the past, as much as a 1319.74/year drop in the taxes of the "topmost bracket" would be justified as from "tax band creep". ... I was curious what "the 10% tax" change was about. ![]()
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Last edited by JHVH : 10-29-4004 BC at 09:00 PM. Reason: Time for a rest. |
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#12 (permalink) | |
Junkie
Location: Ontario, Canada
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Quote:
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Si vis pacem parabellum. |
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#13 (permalink) |
Addict
Location: Nottingham, England
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Labour need a whole new change, can't see Brown leading the next elections. The whole 10% tax thing pissed me off so much.
In the last elections I refused to vote Labour over the war, and now I will not vote for them over the way they treat the lowest paid. I think Labour are counting on people to vote for them to try to stop the Tories getting in, but that has to end. I will be voting for something I believe in like the Greens even through I know they do not stand a chance. |
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#14 (permalink) | |
Addict
Location: Cottage Grove, Wisconsin
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labour, life, time, vote |
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