comment by And... Rosso... Though its... Yeah and... That... (U17054)
posted 1 hour, 28 minutes ago
comment by Insert random username (U10647)
posted 45 minutes ago
comment by And... Rosso... Though its... Yeah and... That... (U17054)
posted 21 minutes ago
There’s another bullshiiiit argument you see a lot: Yiu can’t compare the US and Denmark because they’re a completely different size.

1. So what? I never see this argument developed to demonstrate *why* that’s necessarily an issue. Occasionally it goes as far as listing some potential high level challenges associated with geographical or demographic scale, but that’s about it.

2. Even if there are legs in a better-developed argument, it completely ignores the fact that if you look at state level (remembering that states have their own laws, legislatures and governance within a wider federal framework, much like Denmark in the EU), the US starts to look geographically and demographically *a lot* like a raft of potential Denmarks, all ready to trade and develop together. Imagine the economic, cultural and social powerhouse a 50-Denmark bloc might develop to be…
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I actually pulled up this argument the other day, with almost this exact counter point regarding the us healthcare crisis Vs the NHS.

It's utter nonsense to suggest such policies wouldn't work, Most states are smaller in population than the UK and should easily be able to manage a proper single payer healthcare system, or free at the point of use system.

You just scale it ffs, if a project is too large to manage you break it down in to manageable chunks. Pretty basic stuff.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I mean, free-marketeers are always (rightly, mostly) banging on about economies of scale. Applies in the private sector, but not in the public sector apparently…
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Economy of scale is almost certainly why such policies make sense,

That said you see some absoloutely wasteful policies in the NHS, such as how much they pay for gloves etc which cost pennies to make, but this is somewhat ideological, without a doubt there's a huge range of products the NHS could have at major major discounts if we enabled it to produce them itself through a subsidiary, ibuprofen, paracetamol, plasters, gloves, bandages...

comment by son of quebec (U8127)
posted 24 minutes ago
comment by Sat Nav (U18243)
posted 6 hours, 19 minutes ago
comment by Hector (U3606)
posted 5 minutes ago
Denmark might not be socialist economically but its high taxes go to fund its social services and public safety net, based on the common good, the group rather than the individual. Thats the main reason Danes are a happy lot.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Tis true.

I was surprised to see Portugal lower than I expected in the happiness index.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
How happy would you be with Spain stuck to you?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Not particularly. Lived there before, not a huge fan.

Anyone see this from last night?

Following the P&O scandal there was a vote in the HoCs to ban fire & rehire. Every single Tory MP abstained:

https://votes.parliament.uk/Votes/Commons/Division/1253#notrecorded

comment by What would Stuart Pearce do? Who do you think you are kidding Mr.... (U3126)
posted 1 minute ago
Anyone see this from last night?

Following the P&O scandal there was a vote in the HoCs to ban fire & rehire. Every single Tory MP abstained:

https://votes.parliament.uk/Votes/Commons/Division/1253#notrecorded
----------------------------------------------------------------------
They knew ahead of time what was happening, which is of course just the latest scandal, hopefully people will wake up to the fact that they don't represent the "working man" at all

comment by Tamwolf (U17286)
posted 49 minutes ago
comment by bmcl1987 (U14177)
posted about a minute ago
comment by Tamwolf (U17286)
posted 2 minutes ago
The more I look into it, the more I am convinced that national service in this country is a completely unrealistic proposition.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
How open minded do you think you are being to it?
----------------------------------------------------------------------

I've tried to look for ways it can work. Which is my usual way of doing things. I've not found one. I've not been presented with one by those arguing for it either.

Seems like those in favour are more in favour of the concept rather than the reality.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
But I think all significant change requires engagement on the concept before moving on to the reality does it not? We’ve had countless discussions on here regarding shifting energy to renewable resources. An argument put forward is often, and I paraphrase, it’s too expensive and too difficult to do. I don’t find that as an excuse not to do something particularly well thought out or compelling.

I would be in favour of the concept (having a supply of health and care trained people who can support the NHS when demand is outstripping supply). I am not sure anyone here has meaningfully engaged in the “reality” of it, say through a cost benefit analysis, consideration of impact on health and well-being of society etc, so I do find the reference to the “reality” somewhat one-sided.

comment by son of quebec (U8127)
posted 59 minutes ago
comment by And... Rosso... Though its... Yeah and... That... (U17054)
posted 2 hours, 44 minutes ago
I think there has been (since Sanders) a bunch of panicked US conservative commentators who have done the best they can to try to downplay the Scandinavian countries’ ‘socialist credentials’ in various ways.

They’ve cited hire-and-fire and a supposedly largely unregulated economy in those areas that aren’t monopolised or otherwise heavily controlled by the state in utilities, for example. But they’ve also done that whilst railing against EU regulations on worker protections, working conditions, and industrial activity - the very same regulations Denmark is committed to. So that argument is self-contradictory. Either Denmark is relatively heavily regulated, or the EU market and regulations are relatively open and liberal: you can’t have it both ways.

They’ve also talked about corporation tax, which is a fair point in isolation, as is ease of and deregulation of investment.

Clearly, economically, Denmark is a mixed market economy, with a strong state interest in, investment in and control of key markets. It has strong elements of some socialist models (remembering that other socialist models *don’t require state ownership of key utilities at all* ), strong social policies, and a relatively large state interest in the health, well-being and financial security of its citizens.

Is it socialist? Recognising that the existence of markets themselves is not exclusively capitalist, I’d say it’s difficult to argue that the system isn’t primarily constructed on socialist ideals.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Finally. A term I haven't heard in donkeys. Mixed economy.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
‘Mixed economy’ is the kind of term Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren use before being labelled by conservative commentators as Marxists and communists.

comment by son of quebec (U8127)
posted 50 minutes ago
comment by bmcl1987 (U14177)
posted 2 hours, 18 minutes ago
comment by Tamwolf (U17286)
posted 12 seconds ago
comment by Sat Nav (U18243)
posted about a minute ago
Those same old biddies that went through WW2 and the hardship that came after?
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The people who live through WW2 are a minimum of 80+ these days and are in a huge minority.

The majority of votes for it will be from people 40-65 who have lived through he biggest period of peace the UK has seen and never had to do such things.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I’m sorry but I can’t get on board with this thinking. If we hadn’t introduced conscription in 1916 in response to the ongoing war in Europe at the time, we may have ended up losing said war.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Then so be it. I'd have a coat made out if all the white feathers I'd been given.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
And what a coat it would be. To rival Joseph’s!

Horrifying reports from #Mariupol; thirsty people draining water from radiators; streams contaminated by rotting bodies; dogs feeding on corpses; people eating dogs & scavenging for food in bombed buildings. Apocalyptic nightmare in a place where, 1 month ago, life was normal.

https://twitter.com/billneelyreport/status/1506238246178721799?s=21

Christ

I would prefer a conscription scheme which is not enforced but provides large financial and educational incentives for those involved. Like for example, reduced tuition fees.

Putin is such an evil cant... Wouldn't be surprised if covid was his idea

Which I've now finally caught

comment by CrouchEndGooner (U13531)
posted 39 seconds ago
Putin is such an evil cant... Wouldn't be surprised if covid was his idea

Which I've now finally caught
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He sed lassed week that Covid was created in the secret Ukraine/US labs in Ukraine

Well he would say that wouldn't he

comment by CrouchEndGooner (U13531)
posted 7 minutes ago
Putin is such an evil cant... Wouldn't be surprised if covid was his idea

Which I've now finally caught
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Feeling ill, or asymptomatic?

Woke up Saturday fine then by midday had a chesty cough which subsequently took hold everywhere

Feeling a lot better today but still symptoms... Are you recovered now?

comment by CrouchEndGooner (U13531)
posted 4 minutes ago
Woke up Saturday fine then by midday had a chesty cough which subsequently took hold everywhere

Feeling a lot better today but still symptoms... Are you recovered now?

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Probably from the 'vid symptoms yeah, but had a chest infection also which can't be treated until next week (if necessary)

So still very short of breath, still coughing up gunk, still very tired. Did an LFT today on which the line is fading again though, so should be clear in the next few days.

Bitcoin mining now uses more power than Argentina..

Honestly crypto just needs to fack off

comment by Insert random username (U10647)
posted 4 minutes ago
Bitcoin mining now uses more power than Argentina..

Honestly crypto just needs to fack off
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah it's pretty stupid

comment by Insert random username (U10647)
posted 10 minutes ago
Bitcoin mining now uses more power than Argentina..

Honestly crypto just needs to fack off
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Christ I never thought of that. That’s incredible

comment by And... Rosso... Though its... Yeah and... That... (U17054)
posted 43 minutes ago
comment by son of quebec (U8127)
posted 59 minutes ago
comment by And... Rosso... Though its... Yeah and... That... (U17054)
posted 2 hours, 44 minutes ago
I think there has been (since Sanders) a bunch of panicked US conservative commentators who have done the best they can to try to downplay the Scandinavian countries’ ‘socialist credentials’ in various ways.

They’ve cited hire-and-fire and a supposedly largely unregulated economy in those areas that aren’t monopolised or otherwise heavily controlled by the state in utilities, for example. But they’ve also done that whilst railing against EU regulations on worker protections, working conditions, and industrial activity - the very same regulations Denmark is committed to. So that argument is self-contradictory. Either Denmark is relatively heavily regulated, or the EU market and regulations are relatively open and liberal: you can’t have it both ways.

They’ve also talked about corporation tax, which is a fair point in isolation, as is ease of and deregulation of investment.

Clearly, economically, Denmark is a mixed market economy, with a strong state interest in, investment in and control of key markets. It has strong elements of some socialist models (remembering that other socialist models *don’t require state ownership of key utilities at all* ), strong social policies, and a relatively large state interest in the health, well-being and financial security of its citizens.

Is it socialist? Recognising that the existence of markets themselves is not exclusively capitalist, I’d say it’s difficult to argue that the system isn’t primarily constructed on socialist ideals.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Finally. A term I haven't heard in donkeys. Mixed economy.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
‘Mixed economy’ is the kind of term Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren use before being labelled by conservative commentators as Marxists and communists.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes. I'm also old enough to remember the Scani economies described that way.

comment by Insert random username (U10647)
posted 16 minutes ago
comment by CrouchEndGooner (U13531)
posted 4 minutes ago
Woke up Saturday fine then by midday had a chesty cough which subsequently took hold everywhere

Feeling a lot better today but still symptoms... Are you recovered now?

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Probably from the 'vid symptoms yeah, but had a chest infection also which can't be treated until next week (if necessary)

So still very short of breath, still coughing up gunk, still very tired. Did an LFT today on which the line is fading again though, so should be clear in the next few days.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Glad to hear you're on the mend

All my LFTs came back negative but did a PCR like a mug and now I have to stay home until Thursday

comment by Insert random username (U10647)
posted 13 minutes ago
Bitcoin mining now uses more power than Argentina..

Honestly crypto just needs to fack off
----------------------------------------------------------------------
There is a town in upstate New York due south if Montreal. In recent years (decades?) the industrial base has disappeared along with the Air force base. As a result there are loads of empty houses and apartments.
A couple of years ago bitcoin miners moved in and rented loads of these properties. The problem is that in the US when an area uses more energy than estimated the cost of electricity rises. Leading to morebemoty properties.
All forvwhat is basically a tax dodge.

Empty.

comment by son of quebec (U8127)
posted 33 seconds ago
comment by Insert random username (U10647)
posted 13 minutes ago
Bitcoin mining now uses more power than Argentina..

Honestly crypto just needs to fack off
----------------------------------------------------------------------
There is a town in upstate New York due south if Montreal. In recent years (decades?) the industrial base has disappeared along with the Air force base. As a result there are loads of empty houses and apartments.
A couple of years ago bitcoin miners moved in and rented loads of these properties. The problem is that in the US when an area uses more energy than estimated the cost of electricity rises. Leading to morebemoty properties.
All forvwhat is basically a tax dodge.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Outragius

I go upstate NY a lot n as boitiful as it is, many town n villages r struggling

comment by #4zA - 🇮🇹🇺🇦 no al calcio moderno (U22472)
posted 6 minutes ago
I go upstate NY a lot n as boitiful as it is, many town n villages r struggling
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yer. I yoosta go there a lot Vermont 2. Cheap booze.