Torbay weblog davecathy

May 13, 2006 at 10:34 o\clock

RECONSTRUCTING THE GOLDEN EGG

by: davecathy

A survey recently showed that happiness increases with income up to a certain level, but after that, if incomes keep on rising, the happiness factor declines again.
 
This week it was announced that spending on luxury goods has increased by over 650% in real terms in the last decade, despite the fact that the cost of many of those (electronic) goods has fallen dramatically in that period, yet we see greater political dissent than ever, with dentists turning down an offer of £80,000 plus another £80,000 expenses per annum, and university lecturers threatening to strike because of a 12.5% pay offer.
 
This government is far from perfect, but as the Tories regain credibility in the polls, I ask just who was it who cut the link between pensions and wages? Who ran the railways and the NHS into the ground? Who cut the number of teachers and policemen? Who introduced the Council Tax and reduced grants to local authorities? Who, according to MacMillan, sold off the family silver? Who cancelled plans for the flyover at Penn Inn? Who opposed plans for a minimum wage? Was it Tony Blair? 
 

Comments for this entry:

  1. insider2 wrote at May 13, 2006 at 23:23 o\clock:It is very sad to see the UK sliding relentlessly toward America in its worship of capitalism and abandonment of social conscience. I was astounded on my recent trip to England to see the rampant consumerism in evidence all over the country but particularly in the south. It seemed very much to me that people in England had become very selfish, very self-centred, very much \"I\'m all right, Jack\". The country is very much the worse for it. America has already gone beyond redemption, but the UK could still be brought back from the brink if enough people could be shown the truth. I am afraid I am not very articulate in expounding this truth, but ast least I am taking an interest.
  2. davecathy wrote at May 14, 2006 at 09:04 o\clock:You hit the nail on the head. I happen to believe that while this government has many faults, it has given the country the longest sustained period of economic stabilty and growth we have ever had, yet that has been translated into a level of personal greed that really saddens me. As a pensioner, I am surrounded by other pensioners campaingning bitterly for higher pensions, yet I am living a very comfortable life and managing to save a reasonable amount; the first time in my life I have ever been able to, so we cannot be that badly off.

    The only reason I have a weblog and belong to so many debating/ discussion groups is that I am sickened by the increasing materialism and greed, and the decline in spiritual and moral beliefs among so many people.

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