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Post by lachlan on Dec 8, 2012 14:07:43 GMT -1
"Compromise": might have become a dirty word before Disraeli, but his admonition, "damn your principles, think of the party" to a party member in regards to a bill which was against the man's principles, did nothing towards making the word acceptable, or making it part of "give and take" as most of us see that. Compromise in politics does make me cringe. The US system allows for "riders" to bills and some of these are gruesome, have nothing whatsoever to do with the intent of the bill. The middle east is a world full of compromise, compromise which has favoured Israel almost always and those times when the others were counting on a UN resolution doing them some good, always came to nought because the Israelis, by and large, ignore the UN. And the right wing definitely created the "commercial" monster which China has become. And before anyone jumps in with a quote from Adam Smith...his vision saw a fair, just and normal, market place (a billion dollars in advertising ain't normal) and all things to do with medicine he wanted the government to administer, "health care is far too important and costly to leave in the hands of business men"...and this what(?) over three hundred years ago.
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Post by bormes on Dec 8, 2012 15:01:36 GMT -1
My only observation to lachlan's rather accurate post, is the right wing as if bliar and his ilk, the kid on socialists did not join in with complete gusto not only in dealing with China but also in arse licking the banks.
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Post by lachlan on Dec 8, 2012 15:29:37 GMT -1
Bormes: For a number of years my feelings were that the banks in Canada were calling the shots and then my sights centered on the insurance business, particularly the lack of competition; my understanding is that there are now only four or five insurers, this because of amalgamations. And when man on the street needs (and in many counties is forced) to buy insurance (car insurance is compulsory here), he has to deal with a broker. Some broker companies are extremely large, have many PARTNERS and one brokerage comes to mind which has eighteen partners and all take home $1,000,000,000.00 per year. We have tellers in our banks who do not remember banks paying interest. Our five major banks have credit cards which one can use and one must pay an interest rate which starts at 19%. And if you pay a mortgage off, early, there is a penalty for "loss of interest". And now our banks are getting heavily into the insurance business....things have changed a great deal since the G.A. was the worlds biggest.
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Post by bormes on Dec 8, 2012 16:22:41 GMT -1
I hate to say this, however it seems to be going the same way in many businesses, perhaps trying to wring out as much profit as they can before a government steps in to change things. Although that is unlikely, bliar comes to mind immediately, as senior politicians dance to the tune of big business it was ever so, I suppose. Insurance companies here are horrific, like the banks. A great friend of mine who served with me and stayed in the Forces for 25 years has just built his house in Calgary, he previously lived in St.John's and Prince Edward's Island, his wife is a purchaser for the Canadian Forces.
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Post by peony on Jan 22, 2014 2:59:31 GMT -1
I know this is an old thread, but Obama has been a big disappointment. There wasn't any better choice, but still . . .
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Post by ozneil on Jan 22, 2014 5:29:52 GMT -1
Worse than Bush??
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Post by bormes on Jan 22, 2014 9:28:56 GMT -1
I always felt that his colour had a huge influence in his election as most black people voted for him as he was black and a huge number of white people voted for him to show how unbiased they were!! I am certain all kinds voted for him because they believed in him, although as I said at the time, he never crossed the floor to vote and he ducked out of every controversial issue so as to displease no one! Peony is probably right as I am not sure there was anyone else. He has not shut the Bay yet has he? A final wee thought, he is probably better than the lot in Warminster that govern us just now!!
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Post by peony on Jan 22, 2014 14:25:25 GMT -1
It pains me to say this, but yes, I believe that he is worse than Bush jr. Everything he has touched has been a disaster.
I was a Hilary supporter and right now, I'm hoping to hell she doesn't run again, because they will slaughter her over that Benghazi incident.
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Post by bormes on Jan 22, 2014 16:30:27 GMT -1
Well I absolutely admire your honesty Peony, pity our politicians are not so honest! Mind you I feel that neither Hillary nor her husband are trustworthy people at all, mind you as politicians I should not expect them to be!!!!
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Post by ozneil on Jan 22, 2014 19:18:56 GMT -1
I must be getting older as I find politicians of all hues getting less and less trustworthy. Must be age Mind you Obama is in good company, Blair and Gillard (the Moaner from Altona) the latter being tht worst PM we ever had even worse than Rudd BTW nice to see you P
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Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2014 23:34:59 GMT -1
I know this is an old thread, but Obama has been a big disappointment. There wasn't any better choice, but still . . . Good to hear from you, Peony <waves!> I imagine pretty much everyone who voted Blair in 1997 feels pretty much the same, I know I do. Except, horribly, the UKE labour administration turned out to be pretty much the same as the guys that they'd just moved out of Westmonster government. Seems in the West we have precious few conviction politicians left. (or right..) And a disaffected electorate who believe they have the power to change precisely nothing for the better. How are things over by, Peony?
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Post by peony on Jan 23, 2014 20:31:14 GMT -1
Hellooooooooooooooo Rolo.
Things are great over here. I've spent a harrowing few weeks helping animal rescue in a horrible animal abuse case and to tell you the truth, I have not been near a computer for a while. It has just knocked me back working with such suffering.
I just checked my email and I have 500 (YIKES) messages to read or not!
Waiting for spring and reckoning that I'm going to the the Impressionist exhibit at the fine arts museum soonish. It will be a treat.
Hi Ozneil, long time no see!
I shouldn't laugh but they call Obama Obummer. lol
Not long till spring for you guys, either?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2014 21:10:26 GMT -1
Hellooooooooooooooo Rolo. Things are great over here. I've spent a harrowing few weeks helping animal rescue in a horrible animal abuse case and to tell you the truth, I have not been near a computer for a while. It has just knocked me back working with such suffering. I just checked my email and I have 500 (YIKES) messages to read or not! Waiting for spring and reckoning that I'm going to the the Impressionist exhibit at the fine arts museum soonish. It will be a treat. Hi Ozneil, long time no see! I shouldn't laugh but they call Obama Obummer. lol Not long till spring for you guys, either? That sounds a bit grim, Peony, hope you're OK but get the treat that's the Impressionists come spring; they're darned good for the soul, I find! Big year for Scotland, P, loads to look forward to. And it feels good to start hurtling (well, inching..) towards lighter days.
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Post by ozneil on Jan 23, 2014 21:36:48 GMT -1
Hellooooooooooooooo Rolo. Things are great over here. I've spent a harrowing few weeks helping animal rescue in a horrible animal abuse case and to tell you the truth, I have not been near a computer for a while. It has just knocked me back working with such suffering. I just checked my email and I have 500 (YIKES) messages to read or not! Waiting for spring and reckoning that I'm going to the the Impressionist exhibit at the fine arts museum soonish. It will be a treat. Hi Ozneil, long time no see! I shouldn't laugh but they call Obama Obummer. lol Not long till spring for you guys, either? Sounds terrible but good for you ! we have several Moniet prints on the wall. He is my fav impressionist painter. get them from somewhere in US over net South Carolina I think. We called Kevin Rudd "Rudd the dud" or for some reason I cant fathom Kevni You are wrong P its about 9 months tii spring still summer here
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Post by peony on Jan 24, 2014 0:58:09 GMT -1
Ozneil, you are not only upside down, but also backward in time!
I have stepped back from the animal rescue and just do one day a week. It's a good time to take a break, but those folks who do this every day, have my admiration.
I'm fine and have just signed up for an art retreat in Austin in April. Hurray!
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