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News & ArtsSunday, March 27, 2011
Politics / International / Economy Hundreds of Thousands March in London
Posted by Goldy on Sun, Mar 27, 2011 at 5:17 PM
Estimates ranging from between 300,000 and 500,000 joined a union march in London yesterday, protesting the Conservative government's shock doctrine budget, the largest such demonstration in downtown London in years.
Despite its size, the march was overwhelmingly peaceful apart from a handful of window-smashing "anarchists" (shades of WTO?), but plutocrats beware.
1
Trade unions turned Britain into the Sick Man of Europe. Hopefully they don't get a second crack at it.
2
When the wealthy let their greed consume them, they end up with their heads separated from their bodies, or find themselves up against the executioner's wall - along with a lot of their lackies (just ask the Romanov's servants)
I hope it doesn't come to that, but as the wealthy becomes inbred, greed becomes more important to them, as they have no skills to fall back on.
I hope it doesn't come to that, but as the wealthy becomes inbred, greed becomes more important to them, as they have no skills to fall back on.
3
"Plutocrats beware" may be fun to say, but on a practical level one hopes the actual English look directly to the fools they allowed to enact those austerity programs: certainly a few plutocrats among them as usual, but in main, just the average freely elected and wrongheaded members of the coalition government.
It's in the people's power to toss them all out, sooner the better. The rally shows they're not all paralyzed by the pocketbook fears the policymakers have both acted out of and furthered.
It's in the people's power to toss them all out, sooner the better. The rally shows they're not all paralyzed by the pocketbook fears the policymakers have both acted out of and furthered.
5
Paraphrased-
300,000 Britons betrayed centuries of proud tradition by demanding the 'right' to the products of another mans wages. Instead of working for a living and paying their bills out of their own pocket they want industrious and careful fellow citizens to pay for their food, child care, homes and medical care. How the mighty have fallen. Once England was the home of men who would scorn to take a penny from anyone else to support them. Now, after a mere few decades of leftist social engineering for laziness and stupidity, they are little better than beggars.
300,000 Britons betrayed centuries of proud tradition by demanding the 'right' to the products of another mans wages. Instead of working for a living and paying their bills out of their own pocket they want industrious and careful fellow citizens to pay for their food, child care, homes and medical care. How the mighty have fallen. Once England was the home of men who would scorn to take a penny from anyone else to support them. Now, after a mere few decades of leftist social engineering for laziness and stupidity, they are little better than beggars.
6
Parenthetically, this is why I can only stand a few months at a time in Italy. Nice people, but broken of any work ethic or personal accountability by liberal thought. Particularly when surrounded by the evidence of the industrious and creative people they had been in countless beautiful ancient villages and the wonderfully crafted old cities, this gets depressing.
8
Ah, a real Henry James character. Owns a firm, studies history purely to find the present wanting, travels with an eye to confirming his own prejudices. "Ooh, just back from Africa. Savages, you know. We'll regret letting the wogs get so uppity, mark my words."
9
@5
Karl or Groucho?
By your comical earnestness about stupidities, I'd say the latter. By your love of expropriation of private property, I'd say the former. Tough call.
Karl or Groucho?
By your comical earnestness about stupidities, I'd say the latter. By your love of expropriation of private property, I'd say the former. Tough call.
10
I miss the Dark Ages. The pestilence, the slaves, it was so much easier to get things done when peons were peons and men were men.
11
I know Seattleblues, Isn't it great? They've learned that a society can take care of each other, yet still have a free enterprise system! There's hope for the US yet.
My hope for you is that you will live to see the day when our aspirations to Empire are dead, and we embrace European Socialism as well. I'd hate to see you end up as one of those lackeys who goes down with whatever wealthy sociopath you decided to latch onto in an effort to prove your fidelity to a corrupt ideology.
Btw, weren't you planning to move somewhere less intelligent or something? If so, they probably have a bulletin board or something there for like-minded people.
My hope for you is that you will live to see the day when our aspirations to Empire are dead, and we embrace European Socialism as well. I'd hate to see you end up as one of those lackeys who goes down with whatever wealthy sociopath you decided to latch onto in an effort to prove your fidelity to a corrupt ideology.
Btw, weren't you planning to move somewhere less intelligent or something? If so, they probably have a bulletin board or something there for like-minded people.
12
@8 "Oh, Ducky, have a word with Jeeves, would you? He's asking again for time off to see his daughter in hospital, it's ever so boring. Honestly, the world today! If only our staff appreciated how good they have it. Daddy said it all went to hell when we ran hot water lines below stairs."
13
Here's another idea-
How about if you libs love European socialism so much, move there and leave this country for Americans.
Anytime.
Still here?
Still?
How about if you libs love European socialism so much, move there and leave this country for Americans.
Anytime.
Still here?
Still?
15
@11
FYI
We don't take care of each other. That would be somewhat defensible, though still a poor approach to public policy as opposed to personal conduct.
The top few percent take care of everyone else. They pay most of the taxes, though they use fewer government services. They pay most of the wages, and get screamed at for doing so by liberals. But for left wing crazies like you that isn't enough. Until everything they own has been confiscated to pay for lazy and stupid people to be lazy and stupid, you won't be happy.
FYI
We don't take care of each other. That would be somewhat defensible, though still a poor approach to public policy as opposed to personal conduct.
The top few percent take care of everyone else. They pay most of the taxes, though they use fewer government services. They pay most of the wages, and get screamed at for doing so by liberals. But for left wing crazies like you that isn't enough. Until everything they own has been confiscated to pay for lazy and stupid people to be lazy and stupid, you won't be happy.
16
@14
Nah. They lost the land fair and square over a century ago. Actually, I'm kind of tired of coddling them and pretending their cultures are viable. Unless gambling, drug and alchohol addiction and rusting cars filling a yard is a viable culture anyway.
If they want to be tribal citizens fine. They can keep the reservations, but must obtain visas to work in the United States, pay taxes and abide by our laws. Or they can renounce their reservations and join American society as American citizens. This whole notion of tribal soveriegnty is a stupid joke we've been playing on ourselves for far too long.
Nah. They lost the land fair and square over a century ago. Actually, I'm kind of tired of coddling them and pretending their cultures are viable. Unless gambling, drug and alchohol addiction and rusting cars filling a yard is a viable culture anyway.
If they want to be tribal citizens fine. They can keep the reservations, but must obtain visas to work in the United States, pay taxes and abide by our laws. Or they can renounce their reservations and join American society as American citizens. This whole notion of tribal soveriegnty is a stupid joke we've been playing on ourselves for far too long.
17
Here's the thingof it, Seattleblahs.... Generally speaking, other countries don't want us, because they think we're all loud boors who make up words like libs.
Plus, if us "libs" left, and you people had you way you'd trash the place: let the pipes freeze, forget to water the plants and pay the light bill - things like that. A month or so of it, and you'd be begging the UN to come in and help you, which would be awfully embarassing for all everyone. That is if you didn't accidentally blow the place up playing with the nuclear football.
So you're stuck with us darling. At least until you reach 18, IQ-wise.
Plus, if us "libs" left, and you people had you way you'd trash the place: let the pipes freeze, forget to water the plants and pay the light bill - things like that. A month or so of it, and you'd be begging the UN to come in and help you, which would be awfully embarassing for all everyone. That is if you didn't accidentally blow the place up playing with the nuclear football.
So you're stuck with us darling. At least until you reach 18, IQ-wise.
18
@16
Holy fuck you're beyond comical. Seattleblues, never change, it'll clear my conscious when we sweep your ashes into our dustbin of history.
Holy fuck you're beyond comical. Seattleblues, never change, it'll clear my conscious when we sweep your ashes into our dustbin of history.
19
Final thoughts with my last few sips of breakfast coffee-
We aren't now and never have been an empire, despite loony leftist delusions.
In searching for a corrupt ideology, looking furthur than the notion that my property gotten by my hard work belongs to anyone but me would be foolish. Just because liberals don't understand the concept of private property doesn't mean sane people don't.
The butlers name isn't Jeeves. I tried to get him to change it to amuse me but he wouldn't. Obviously I had to fire him, and I've been looking for a suitably subservient butler for weeks now. The condition of the silver is just disgraceful, and the temporary man actually tried to serve a claret with fish last night! What IS the world coming to?
We aren't now and never have been an empire, despite loony leftist delusions.
In searching for a corrupt ideology, looking furthur than the notion that my property gotten by my hard work belongs to anyone but me would be foolish. Just because liberals don't understand the concept of private property doesn't mean sane people don't.
The butlers name isn't Jeeves. I tried to get him to change it to amuse me but he wouldn't. Obviously I had to fire him, and I've been looking for a suitably subservient butler for weeks now. The condition of the silver is just disgraceful, and the temporary man actually tried to serve a claret with fish last night! What IS the world coming to?
20
@13, that's not "another idea". You haven't had your first yet.
(Canuck, "below stairs" is lovely!)
(Canuck, "below stairs" is lovely!)
21
Catalina, I fear not enough fresh air is getting into your basement, what with the nukeular scare...whatever the reason, I feel I must gently remind you that molluscs do not have IQs, although they are quite adept at eating up shit.
22
Really, Seattleblahs, do try to concentrate, and actually comprehend what you are reading. I know that US society is amiss when it comes to priorities. One need look no further than you to see examples of the failings of family, church and school.
I was refering to Europe when I wrote of societies where people take care of each other while retaining free enterprise. That's because they are mature enough to not get all caught up in the ramblings of a Grade B actor turned GE spokesman.
I was refering to Europe when I wrote of societies where people take care of each other while retaining free enterprise. That's because they are mature enough to not get all caught up in the ramblings of a Grade B actor turned GE spokesman.
23
@ Seattleblues,
You seriously trotted out the "if you like it so much, why don't you move there" line? Come on, that's such a pointless retort I'm surprised you bothered with it. What's next, "I know you are but what am I?"
As to your comment about the wealthy paying for the rest, take a look at how much General Electric paid in taxes last year. Yeah, they're really supporting us, aren't they? While you're at it, check out how much any of the big corporations paid in taxes last year.
You really need to wake up. Capitalism is dead. Adam Smith's invisible hand is not only invisible, it's absent. Your ideal world of the rich happily paying high wages and treating their employees like humans is a fantasy. Wake up. You're dreaming.
You seriously trotted out the "if you like it so much, why don't you move there" line? Come on, that's such a pointless retort I'm surprised you bothered with it. What's next, "I know you are but what am I?"
As to your comment about the wealthy paying for the rest, take a look at how much General Electric paid in taxes last year. Yeah, they're really supporting us, aren't they? While you're at it, check out how much any of the big corporations paid in taxes last year.
You really need to wake up. Capitalism is dead. Adam Smith's invisible hand is not only invisible, it's absent. Your ideal world of the rich happily paying high wages and treating their employees like humans is a fantasy. Wake up. You're dreaming.
24
" we embrace European Socialism "
That's funny because the British people, of whom I'm a proud member, threw it under the bus in 1979 and haven't looked back. So you're welcome to it. Dust off Tony Benn and Harold Wilson and get a direct line to the IMF. join the PIGS Enjoy! Even New Labour want nothing to do with them.
BTW that old Tory Mick Jagger could probably pull in 700,000 people for a concert and not one of them would think of smashing in the window of a business.
That's funny because the British people, of whom I'm a proud member, threw it under the bus in 1979 and haven't looked back. So you're welcome to it. Dust off Tony Benn and Harold Wilson and get a direct line to the IMF. join the PIGS Enjoy! Even New Labour want nothing to do with them.
BTW that old Tory Mick Jagger could probably pull in 700,000 people for a concert and not one of them would think of smashing in the window of a business.
25
"We aren't now and never have been an empire, despite loony leftist delusions."
Hahaha, oh wow really? We've owned Colonies... oh I'm sorry... Protectorates and Territories... declared Hegemony in an entire Hemisphere (Monroe Doctrine)... I mean seriously, America was an Empire. Now it is a crumbling edifice.
Hahaha, oh wow really? We've owned Colonies... oh I'm sorry... Protectorates and Territories... declared Hegemony in an entire Hemisphere (Monroe Doctrine)... I mean seriously, America was an Empire. Now it is a crumbling edifice.
26
So electing a transvestite with a crush on Ronald Reagan is what's considered throwing Socialism under the bus?
27
@Urgutha
For the Record, capitalism isn't dead, however, it's on its last vestige unless it can find a way to appropriate some outside system. As soon as the developing world started to develop Western Capitalism would fall. Colonialism kept capitalism alive barely and when the colonies fell, so should have capitalism. However, because of the crooks and dictators that the Western powers helped install into their former lands, shady deals kept a precarious economic balance in shape. However, now that is over, Capitalism is tearing apart the very structures that have kept it in place. The middle class is being torn asunder. The club of the Bourgeois is becoming more exclusive and more entitled to no taxation. Religion is failing on a massive scale due to the education and commodities that capitalism requires. Capitalism is quickly tearing apart its support structure, but it is not yet dead.
For the Record, capitalism isn't dead, however, it's on its last vestige unless it can find a way to appropriate some outside system. As soon as the developing world started to develop Western Capitalism would fall. Colonialism kept capitalism alive barely and when the colonies fell, so should have capitalism. However, because of the crooks and dictators that the Western powers helped install into their former lands, shady deals kept a precarious economic balance in shape. However, now that is over, Capitalism is tearing apart the very structures that have kept it in place. The middle class is being torn asunder. The club of the Bourgeois is becoming more exclusive and more entitled to no taxation. Religion is failing on a massive scale due to the education and commodities that capitalism requires. Capitalism is quickly tearing apart its support structure, but it is not yet dead.
28
Mick Jagger eh...
Please look up Altamont Free Concert. That Ol' Tory hired a criminal gang in order to "Keep the peace" that resulted in the murder of an 18 year old man.
God save the Queen!
Please look up Altamont Free Concert. That Ol' Tory hired a criminal gang in order to "Keep the peace" that resulted in the murder of an 18 year old man.
God save the Queen!
30
@29 Or Columbia, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Panama, Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Spain, Congo, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Iran...
32
@Goldy
But that was MANIFEST! Surely you jest that we were not entitled by our most Christian Just and Almighty God to conquer the lesser peoples and raise them up on civilization's ladder!
I was merely listing states where we either occupied, overthrown, assassinated, influenced, or supported criminal enterprises in... however, a lot of names still need to be added...
Personally, my favorite case is Panama where we paid a group of individuals to separate from their parent country, then once the state of Panama existed we would then dig a canal through their land which would then belong to us (until we decide to give it back). Then the ungrateful bastards DEMANDED we give them their land back and that we share profits, PROFITS!, more favorably to them...
But that was MANIFEST! Surely you jest that we were not entitled by our most Christian Just and Almighty God to conquer the lesser peoples and raise them up on civilization's ladder!
I was merely listing states where we either occupied, overthrown, assassinated, influenced, or supported criminal enterprises in... however, a lot of names still need to be added...
Personally, my favorite case is Panama where we paid a group of individuals to separate from their parent country, then once the state of Panama existed we would then dig a canal through their land which would then belong to us (until we decide to give it back). Then the ungrateful bastards DEMANDED we give them their land back and that we share profits, PROFITS!, more favorably to them...
33
We forgot Vietnam, Korea, Granada, Cuba, China, and Israel/Palestine.
And Mr. Blues, I don't see what's un-American about not wanting to be an unquestioning, hopeless, medieval serf. But if you're so hard up about relocation, might I suggest that you move to the South. You'll find a whole bunch of like-minded patriots with whom you can howl at the moon.
And Mr. Blues, I don't see what's un-American about not wanting to be an unquestioning, hopeless, medieval serf. But if you're so hard up about relocation, might I suggest that you move to the South. You'll find a whole bunch of like-minded patriots with whom you can howl at the moon.
34
@33
If the left loved our culture and our political structure, but hated our economic system, I could see this as a kind of patriotism.
If the left loved anything about this nation, I could see their criticism as patriotism, if misguided.
But you don't. You show contempt for the majority of your fellow citizens who happen not to share your political convictions. Words like boorish and stupid and deluded are commonplaces, rather than sincerely disagreeing.
You show contempt for our economic system, and find little of value in it.
You show contempt for our culture, our medical system, our ways of using energy or educating our children or devising neighborhoods.
Historically we have much to be proud of, but you wouldn't know it to hear Goldy and his tame chorus.
If a political figure dares to contradict any of your holy dogma, you aren't content with disagreement. No, you have to try to destroy them as a person as well as a political opponent.
Laughably, this is all done in the name of tolerance and co-existence and pluralism. Orwell would be proud of you folks.
Life is short, and I just sincerely wonder why someone would waste it living someplace they hated as vehemently as the left hates this country.
And we're down to our last couple weeks in Italy, so I'm taking the kids on our favorite hike. Have a pleasant day.
If the left loved our culture and our political structure, but hated our economic system, I could see this as a kind of patriotism.
If the left loved anything about this nation, I could see their criticism as patriotism, if misguided.
But you don't. You show contempt for the majority of your fellow citizens who happen not to share your political convictions. Words like boorish and stupid and deluded are commonplaces, rather than sincerely disagreeing.
You show contempt for our economic system, and find little of value in it.
You show contempt for our culture, our medical system, our ways of using energy or educating our children or devising neighborhoods.
Historically we have much to be proud of, but you wouldn't know it to hear Goldy and his tame chorus.
If a political figure dares to contradict any of your holy dogma, you aren't content with disagreement. No, you have to try to destroy them as a person as well as a political opponent.
Laughably, this is all done in the name of tolerance and co-existence and pluralism. Orwell would be proud of you folks.
Life is short, and I just sincerely wonder why someone would waste it living someplace they hated as vehemently as the left hates this country.
And we're down to our last couple weeks in Italy, so I'm taking the kids on our favorite hike. Have a pleasant day.
35
@34, I wish you and your phony baloney litmus test a nice hike. If you should fall into a ravine, I hope the Italians aren't too "broken of any work ethic or personal accountability by liberal thought" to rescue your ass.
36
One imagines his neighbours, gus, crossing off little Xs on their walls, as La Famiglia Blues' departure date draws near. Perhaps loosening the gravel on their hiking trails, as well...
My favourite part?
"If a political figure dares to contradict any of your holy dogma, you aren't content with disagreement. No, you have to try to destroy them as a person as well as a political opponent."
Ah ha ha ha! (@pot/kettle/black)
Sit down, gus: I have done some sleuthing, and it would appear that Mr. Savage is visiting Calgary on June 1, according to FB....I will bake a cake now, and let it sit out, is two months stale enough, do you think??
My favourite part?
"If a political figure dares to contradict any of your holy dogma, you aren't content with disagreement. No, you have to try to destroy them as a person as well as a political opponent."
Ah ha ha ha! (@pot/kettle/black)
Sit down, gus: I have done some sleuthing, and it would appear that Mr. Savage is visiting Calgary on June 1, according to FB....I will bake a cake now, and let it sit out, is two months stale enough, do you think??
38
Mr. Blues, America is a much bigger place than the America you seem to believe in. It isn't a gated community; it's a goddamn Neil Diamond song.
39
Oh, Canuck, how exciting! Two months ought to be perfect to get just the hard crust he likes on his frosting....
40
What really cracks me up is that Seattle Blues has the opinion that genocide, rape warfare, and blatant & disgraceful subterfuge somehow equals "fair and square"...
But his sheer idiocy and lack of historical understanding is just, well, so obviously sad.
But his sheer idiocy and lack of historical understanding is just, well, so obviously sad.
41
I was on this march. It was an interesting amalgamation of every group feeling dissent toward the government; not only were there the constituent members of the TUC, but various students, representatives of the families of overseas conflicts. It was an overwhelmingly positive atmosphere, not some kind of hard-left democracy but a bunch of people in front-line services who are completely fed-up. Not that that will stop Seattleblues talking absolute pish about it from things he has read.
42
Seattleblues, next time you say "final thoughts" (all the way up at post 19), can you please make it your final thoughts?
And can everyone else please start ignoring this idiot? You're only encouraging him.
And can everyone else please start ignoring this idiot? You're only encouraging him.
44
I imagine all those filthy, hippies at Altamont turned Sir Mick into a conservative, with a small 'c'.
So sorry friends, socialism is dead in Britain. It nearly ruined us once and the British have long memories. Let the Greeks and Spaniards wrestle with the IMF like greased PIGS.
What you are seeing here are the last few Zombie Socialists left on my beautiful isles, still wanting to feed off he productive.
So sorry friends, socialism is dead in Britain. It nearly ruined us once and the British have long memories. Let the Greeks and Spaniards wrestle with the IMF like greased PIGS.
What you are seeing here are the last few Zombie Socialists left on my beautiful isles, still wanting to feed off he productive.
45
Please don't put me in the same category as SoB, but I'd like to point out that the tendency of voters to demand more government services than they are willing to pay for is a problem common to all democratic forms of government. As some eminent monarchist put it "No republic has long survived the discovery by a majority of voters that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury."
47
44, isn't that funny? It was when you were at the top of your "empire" when you needed us to bail you out. Twice. You were also quite empire-y when we beat you. Twice. And yet It was Socialism that supposedly "ruined" you.
And if you got rid of Socialism, why do you still have national health care?
And if you got rid of Socialism, why do you still have national health care?
48
"why do you still have national health care?"
I'll concede the NHS but we've taken it out of he hands of the Loony Left and are pushing efficiencies, cost measures, more rationing (no stomach stapling fat people!). Besides, anyone with money on the UK gets BUPA so we don't have to sit around and wait in dirty NHS hospitals and can go straight to Harley St. and get the medical service we wan when we want. Like all those Canadians I meet coming o Seattle for healthcare.
I'll concede the NHS but we've taken it out of he hands of the Loony Left and are pushing efficiencies, cost measures, more rationing (no stomach stapling fat people!). Besides, anyone with money on the UK gets BUPA so we don't have to sit around and wait in dirty NHS hospitals and can go straight to Harley St. and get the medical service we wan when we want. Like all those Canadians I meet coming o Seattle for healthcare.
51
So we have throngs of Canadians coming to Seattle for healthcare? You'd think I would have heard about that, but I'm just a mannequin in a basement. Can anyone in healthcare back that claim up?
52
48 just used the term Loony Left. He's about as British as King Ralph. He's the limousine liberal guy. Mick Jagger wasn't turned a conservative by Altamont. He, like most conservatives, has always been a rip-off artist. And of course the Altamont incident was caused by that most noble of conservative practices, attempting to get people to provide labor for shit pay.
55
I hope you guys realize that Seattleblues is completely fake. He's probably some chubby teenager getting off on the attention.
And Dame Judy Dench was the best king.
And Dame Judy Dench was the best king.
56
"Isn't Rationing of health care what conservatives normally fear?"
Well, just rationing for the lower classes. Smart people with money in the UK pay for BUPA coverage and skip straight to the front of the line. Sadly American Republicans are not the Rockefeller types so much anymore, but now a party filled with the most atrocious lower class and working class people. Common as dirt.
"Altamont incident was caused by that most noble of conservative practices, attempting to get people to provide labor for shit pay."
Really? I thought they were all communal hippies, working for free for the collective good?
Well, just rationing for the lower classes. Smart people with money in the UK pay for BUPA coverage and skip straight to the front of the line. Sadly American Republicans are not the Rockefeller types so much anymore, but now a party filled with the most atrocious lower class and working class people. Common as dirt.
"Altamont incident was caused by that most noble of conservative practices, attempting to get people to provide labor for shit pay."
Really? I thought they were all communal hippies, working for free for the collective good?
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