On 21 Aug 2015 at 12:17pm Corbyn supporter wrote:
Paul Mason argues pretty conclusively in my opinion in his new book that capitalism is dying.The Capitalist system which even Carl Marx saw as a great step forward is becoming increasingly unstable,environmentally disastrous and is concentrating extreme wealth and power into fewer and fewer of the mega rich who in effect have coerced and corrupted our democratic processes and representatives to produce parties and governments which benefit this exclusive group over everybody else,waging war on their behalf,pumping huge amounts of public money to save the bankers and the high stakes gamblersof the stock market. stock market .The tumult presently taking part in the Labour Party and the emergence of a candidate who is prepared to confront these powerful deeply vested international interests, is a sign not of Old Labour`s resurgence but marks the birth pangs of a new Left, an umbrella alliance of all those who recognise the need for radical change and who are linked through modern communications with millions of like minded people worldwide.They know both intellectually and emotionally that things cannot carry on as they are.History is on their side.The times truly are a changing.
Check it out here »
On 21 Aug 2015 at 1:04pm Times they are a changin wrote:
And a hard rain's gonna fall
On 21 Aug 2015 at 1:28pm Labour voter wrote:
To Burnham,Cooper, Kendal et al,"Get out of the new one if you can`t lend your hand".
On 21 Aug 2015 at 1:43pm Paul Newman wrote:
Politically Paul Mason is a comic turn and his addition to the "Was Marx Right " genre simply joins the rest of them in the "Never read by anyone "library which has been expanding since the 19th century
On the other hand he did make a v good documentary called"Keeping the Faith" about Soul music, for the culture show so he can`t be all bad
On 21 Aug 2015 at 1:53pm Zebedee wrote:
Capitalism as the creed of exploitation has to come to an end as there will be little left to exploit soon. But mostly because we need to initiate a strong global regulatory system if we are address climate change before it's too late. Capitalism does not do regulation on a global scale well and it certainly doesn't do authoritarianism (which is what we need now).
It's globalism that really needs addressing. International corporations (and even some individuals) are more powerful than even the most powerful governments (and with the advent of this stupid TTIP agreement are set to get more powerful still). This threatens democracy on a worldwide scale. Bar forming a world government it's difficult to see what can be done about it. But one thing is sure, Corbyn or Corbyism is not an answer.
On 21 Aug 2015 at 6:31pm Old bike wrote:
Paul Newman's patronage of Northern Soul is, to me, as toe-curlingly cringe full as David Cameron's attempt to garner credibility and 'soul' on Desert Island Discs.
It has probably been mentioned before, but he trolleys it out at every opportunity. You are still a misogynistic and soulless Tory apologist Paul.
On 21 Aug 2015 at 6:49pm Zzz.. wrote:
I've seen him dance. Took me a while to recover.
On 21 Aug 2015 at 7:30pm Reality wrote:
It says 'Lewes' forum yet you seem intent on boring the pants off anyone apart from your fellow political bores.
Find a voice for your political stance but why do it on this forum for local issues, or have the Labour forums been deserted as much as the electorate deserted the Labour vote?
On 22 Aug 2015 at 2:24pm Labour member2 wrote:
Don't read it then 'reality' elementarily simple! next!!
On 22 Aug 2015 at 5:33pm Grafter wrote:
Paul, have you got your own website?
On 22 Aug 2015 at 9:57pm Reality wrote:
Labour member2, thanks for your input....next!!
On 23 Aug 2015 at 2:07am Corbyn, what a joker. wrote:
What loony beardie weirdy Corbyn is ,what a pathetic creep.Who in their right mind would vote for someone who wants to take the railways back into public ownership.Look at Southern Railway for example, they provide a wonderful ,punctual service,they are unfailingly polite and informative if ther eis the slightest problem and they only charge their customers a pittance for this wonderful facility.As for the utilities,they are unfailingly cheap and efficient,re nationalise them indeed! Now I hear he wants to apologise for Britain`s part in the Iraq war!That`s just stark staring bonkers.Look at the way we have turned Iraq into the most stable and prosperous country in the world.No it is clear that nobody will ever vote for party with such a nutter for a leader. Labour is finished!He will be wanting to build more council houses next.What a plonker!
On 23 Aug 2015 at 7:47am mark2 wrote:
In a letter today, 41 economists, including Danny Blanchflower, an ex member of the Bank of England's monetary committee, write that Jeremy Corbyn's 'opposition to 'austerity' is actually mainstream economics even backed by the conservative IMF. He aims to boost growth and prosperity'.
In contrast George Osborne intends to sell off £31 billion of public assets in 2015/2016. He is taking advantage of the banking crisis (which we suffered for!) by using it as an excuse, a smoke screen, to introduce ideological 'austerity'.His aim pure and simple is to roll back the state, selling off public assets and extending the sell off to social housing. We are the fourth richest country in the world for goodness sake and yet we are asset stripping the poor! And actually not just the poor; the gap between the middle class and the 'rich' has never been wider. Recent research has shown that that kind of yawning gap does not lead to a healthy contented society. (Perhaps that's why in a recent poll last week our children were seen to be amongst some of the most unhappy in the world; bullying loomed large.)
This is a LOCAL issue completely acceptable as a topic on the Lewes forum; why can't people see that they are being robbed by spivs snatching up public assets? The privatizations of water,energy and rail, and the PFI schemes currently draining the National Health Service have all been, I believe, a cynical confidence trick.
We've been duped into believing that there are still two political parties, Conservative and Labour, when in fact 'New' Labour in effect created one centralist party giving us no REAL choice and in doing so lost us the possibility of true political dialogue. It is that 'New' Labour voice that has prompted the indignity of seeing the other candidates for the Labour leadership scurry so often to 'soften' their mantra - Andy Burnham is perhaps a good example.
The revolving door between government and big business has been spinning wildly.(Private tax advisors in secondment to the Treasury is worth thinking about!) It's worth remembering too that even the USA saw that HSBC 'was too big to fail'. On a local note: watch the shenanigans of the LDC while they embark on flogging our rapidly diminishing public space. It's all unfolding in front of our eyes.
On 23 Aug 2015 at 8:42am Paul Newman wrote:
Its as if the tragic spotty twerps shouting "Socialist Worker" at the station were actually trying to run the country. Well next time you feel like entrusting your bank account to them, you vote for the lesser bearded t1t.
‘David’ Blanchflower is a Labour economist whose inclusion on the fringe of some advisory body was a sop to left wing academia has done a lot of work on the “Economics “ of happiness ….which gives you some idea where he comes from . The IMF, have, to my knowledge expressed no view on the fantasies of a ante-deluvian Marxist, they probably support Keynsian concepts broadly but that is not the same thing . We all do. That Corbyn’s tax and spend plans are pure drivel is admitted right across the spectrum ( See Larry Elliot )
By what measure we are the 4th richest country in the world with debts of about 70% of GDP I have no idea and how you call our current rate of borrowing austerity is something of a mystery .
Of course for those of the “ cause” any lie is justified but is only last week the Guardian was admitting they would have been better admitting there had been no austerity and that Labour had been right . We Are Still spending about £80 bn a year more than we collect ands that still doesnot add up and it never will
Those of you who feel that remodelling the economy along East German lines will provide a boost to growth such as to square this circle vote for the beard but this is the main point.
Let no-one forget what the Labour Party has shown itself to be . When Corbyn crashes and Burnham slithers in they will still be there .
The irony is that its now that there is no choice for the electorate and I hardly relish the complete absence of opposition myself
On 23 Aug 2015 at 10:12am Localbod wrote:
I think you should pop along to the Doctor, and him/her that it has been pointed out to you that you are obsessively posting essays on a local internet Forum about one subject.
On 23 Aug 2015 at 10:37am Paul Newman wrote:
I think you are a pointless imbecile who should stick to creating a pile of soiled kleenex around your camp bed.
Great to exchange views isn`t it .
On 23 Aug 2015 at 10:45am Mark wrote:
Nice one Mark2. @PN: Only through your blinkered eyes does the fact that an economist is left-leaning make his thinking worthless. There are economists who are left wing or centrists and there are the others who are paid six figure salaries by American "Think Tanks".
On 23 Aug 2015 at 11:58am Paul Newman wrote:
The Guardian Collumnist David ( Danny) Blanchflower, yes he who warned that cutting back the public sector would lose 5,000,000 jobs , in 2010 in fact unemployment fell 8.1% to 5.6%.
The sort of person who wets their knickers to see him reported in the Guardian ( yes the same Guardian) supprting Jeremy Corbyn fails to entirely command my respect ...sorry.
We live in a world where the forces unleashed by capitalism have provided reduced global poverty , between 1970 and 2006 from 26.8% to 5.4%. This is due to the arrival or the market economy in Asia China India and Africa. The increase in living standards for all people , in this country are unimaginable during the last 100 years .It has been paid form by capitalism without which the Labour Party would have been dividing the same pie we had in 1890
Even in the UK , a developed economy between 1970 and 2000 inequality ( which you would think was inexorbaly rising ) fell from26.8% to 5.4% anm 80% reduction ands as we know inequality fell during the coalition period .
We all agree that capitalsim is imperfect unequal and requires moderation, we all supprt a welfare state the NHS penions and so on but Corbyn is actually talking about some new Clause, its as if Scargill had won!
In the unlikely event that anyone voted utter catastrophe awaits intially with the complete loss of confidence our internationla creditors would express ..hallo interest rate hike !
I can only hope that there is a quiet but huge majority who see this Corbyn craze for the madness that it is.
On 23 Aug 2015 at 1:44pm Mark wrote:
So, allow me to understand you Paul... As capitalism develops inequality is progressively eroded? Gordon Bennett... I say again. Develop another interest... You're just spouting garbage.
On 23 Aug 2015 at 2:56pm Paul Newman wrote:
That is not an opinion it is a stone cold fact
On 23 Aug 2015 at 3:57pm Mark wrote:
It's not actually. It's utter gibberish. Since when has inequality been measured in terms of "percentage anm"? What on earth is that meant to mean? It's normally measured using the Gini Curve and there has been an enormous shift in the Gini Curve in the UK since 1970. The rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. Most of shift happened in the 80s and 90s. It went flatter under the coalition because, despite the fact that "austerity" targetted mainly low-earners, it isn't much of a drop from meager wages to JSA. This aspect was highlighted in the (ONS I think it was) report on equality that first set you off crowing about income inequality under the coalition but you ignored that bit.
On 23 Aug 2015 at 6:00pm Corbyn for leader wrote:
Jeremy Corbyn.A man of integrity.
Watch the video »
On 23 Aug 2015 at 6:55pm Lewesresident wrote:
PN. I presume you understand that Localbod has a point, hence your reaction. These endless posts about something you clearly don't like are bizarre. If I didn't like an ex wife, and posted as much about her as you do about Labour would you not be worried about me, and tell me to move on?
On 23 Aug 2015 at 7:05pm Danny Blanchflower wrote:
Footballer
On 23 Aug 2015 at 8:17pm Paul Newm@n wrote:
I know most people believe I have Small Dick & that's to true, but I don't despair, I just make up for it sitting in my ridiculously teeny weeny room that I and my chaps call the Tory Bollucks Office writing a complete pile of trip trap twaddle just for the benefit of the Lewes Forum.
On 23 Aug 2015 at 9:09pm Paul Newman wrote:
Mark
Ok, partly fair point, I did simplify.If David Beckham lived in a semi but thousands of other people were poorer. That would help Gini coefficient so it is not an especially good guide to social success ( or perhaps you think it is ).
In reality, in 2012 income inequality in this country fell to its lowest level since 1986 ( The UK is about average in Europe ). You have forgotten taxes were cut for 26,000,000 people, and 3,000,000 of the lowest paid were taken out of tax altogether. These were popular policies but nothing like as popular as the curbs on our welfare slush fund which was more popular than any other proposal at the GE. Between 1970 and 2000 the numbers of people’ living in poverty’ fell from 26.8% to 5.4% so whilst the gini numbers vary as wealth is funnelled unequally the benefit to the poorest is absolutely crystal clear
You will see I have admitted that inequality overall is not always cured by free enterprise as its rewards may be uneven. The questions you have to ask yourself is whether you feel that inequality) can be tolerated if by doing so great benefits accrue to the least fortunate . Also ( were you not a statist serf) how much freedom may be sacrificed to level down the population to an equality of poverty.
As I have shown capitalism has globally raised the standards of living of the poorest on a spectacular scale . I take it you are not arguing with that. It has also , without any question raised the living standards of the poorest in the UK in our society over any long term view
So I will grant you that inequality is an aspect of free enterprise that a planned state economy may suffer from less .This is no doubt why the great miserable mass of grey faced frightened West German were clamouring to escape the brutal control , miserable rations and endemic corruption of the West and make new better lives in the Soviet Block…. Or was it the other way round ?
PS Blimey my stalkers are an especially dead beat collection at the moment . ...
On 24 Aug 2015 at 1:52am Paul Newm@n wrote:
"Blimey my stalkers are an especially dead beat collection at the moment"
Paul Newman Your self-congratulations show no bounds You flatter yourself!
As if anyone in their right mind would even read what you have to say let alone be bothered enough to even write a response!
I have responded purely because I look at you as a strange oddity.
On 24 Aug 2015 at 5:49am Oddbod wrote:
People are not equal. Better prople are more productive and create better lives for their families. A just society is one where virtue is rewarded not punished.
Socialists like Corbyn appeal to those who value themselves unrealistically. Typically they have multiple degrees and are infuriated that a local builder or someone with a mundane job is succeeding and they are not.
They tell themselves its not their fault they are a failure and blame it all on evil capitalism. They should get a reality check or reconcile themselves with being relatively poor.
I have worked with many immigrants and they are often better people morally and have developed character traits which they use to advance in our society.
Stop pretending equality is good.
Build virtue.
Become worthy
On 24 Aug 2015 at 6:35am Paul Newman wrote:
Its " Know no bounds " you cretin.
On 24 Aug 2015 at 12:27pm Thoughtfull. wrote:
"When a man tells you he got rich through hard work ask him whose" We are all interdependent,we all depend on each other.Socialism a aknowledges that simple fact.If the human race is to survive the ecological and demographic timebomb that awaits us, socialism or something very like it, will be necessary.The mantra of never ending growth,which is essentially the idea of lets make the cake bigger so that the crumbs which fall off the table will be a bit bigger will not work anymore.Capitalism is dying,this finite. planet cannot support this system any more.Share or perish.
On 24 Aug 2015 at 12:49pm bastian wrote:
Wow thoughtful, I think that could be the Post Of The Week!
On 24 Aug 2015 at 2:31pm China Crisis wrote:
The end of the Chinese "economic miracle" is nigh.We are next.
Check it out here »
On 24 Aug 2015 at 3:50pm Paul Newman wrote:
Socialism a acknowledges that simple fact
Firstly it is just as likely that people achieve things despite the obstacles others create but more importantly whatever moral basis it may claim it necessitates immoral coercion ends progress and impoverishes those on whom it is inflicted. I also happen to think that equating environmentalism with a sort of half baked socialist Eden is not helpful to anyone .
Post of the weak I`d say
On 24 Aug 2015 at 4:10pm China Crisis wrote:
Thus wrote the dinosaur Paulosaurus Incoherentis ,as the speeding giant asteroid hurtled it`s way to an unsuspecting and complacent Earth.
On 24 Aug 2015 at 9:03pm Paul Newman wrote:
Do read Conserned Adolescent by Wendy Cope . You will laugh
On 24 Aug 2015 at 10:45pm Paul Newm@n wrote:
Your bottie calling the kettle black springs to mind.