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AIBU?

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Original poster

To panic about the dire state of the UK?

999 replies

moveblues · 25/09/2021 20:39

So... all things considered... aren't we up sh-t creek?
-gas and electricity prices
-covid (masks? Pfft completed Covid mate (in England))
-council tax hikes
-inflation
-food shortages
-Brexit
-petrol

Sounds like something out of a dystopian nightmare. I'm worried dear reader, and 'keep calm and carry on' doesn't help.

OP posts:
ColorMagicBarbie · 26/09/2021 00:03

I work in the construction sector and am flat out atm. I go to dozens of huge new build estates every week which are still being built full speed ahead. The ones nearing completion are all sold out already with demand through the roof.

ColorMagicBarbie · 26/09/2021 00:04

My point being that some people are evidently still doing ok.

TSSDNCOP · 26/09/2021 00:05

@Pumperthepumper no need for dramatics. I'm talking about opportunities created by circumstance. The market needs skills and the kids I know are cute enough to exploit that demand. Doesn't mean they don't also enjoy settling down with a nice book too.

Pumperthepumper · 26/09/2021 00:06

[quote TSSDNCOP]@Pumperthepumper no need for dramatics. I'm talking about opportunities created by circumstance. The market needs skills and the kids I know are cute enough to exploit that demand. Doesn't mean they don't also enjoy settling down with a nice book too.[/quote]
It’s hardly dramatic to point out that lack of choice doesn’t make a great education system.

gofg · 26/09/2021 00:06

It's not just the UK it's everywhere...it's life, let's all just do our best and deal with it.

It really isn't everywhere.

HarrisonStickle · 26/09/2021 00:06

@pontypridd

Out of interest and to widen the conversation a bit here - what do people predict will happen from now on - or should I start a different thread for this?
It's a slow demise which has been happening for a long time. I think it'll just continue. Our political system lends itself to lurching back and forwards between two extremes, nothing will ever begin to get sorted until that changes.
pontypridd · 26/09/2021 00:07

My point being that some people are evidently still doing ok.

They're doing Ok on cheap borrowed money. This cannot last. With inflation will come interest rises (am I right people with better knowledge than me?)

and with interest rises all that cheap borrowed money suddenly grows and needs to be paid off.

Yes there are loads of seemingly wealthy 'ordinary' people at the moment - but their wealth is based on debt. This is very precarious. It has to end at some point and we're hurtling towards that end point. I believe anyway.

Pumperthepumper · 26/09/2021 00:08

@ColorMagicBarbie

I work in the construction sector and am flat out atm. I go to dozens of huge new build estates every week which are still being built full speed ahead. The ones nearing completion are all sold out already with demand through the roof.
That’s based on debt though - 35 year mortgages are hugely common now, with either inherited deposits or more debt. We don’t have the economy to support a housing boom, particularly when wages don’t reflect that boom.
Evesgarden · 26/09/2021 00:09

@ColorMagicBarbie absolutely!

I remember when I went to South Africa. It was stunning. We did some amazing, possibly life changing trips. But we were never ever allowed to venture out beyond the tourism trap ( which we got ripped off which is another thread) because it was too dangerous - like you will get murdered for your handbag/shoes/passport. My Bil (paras) got battered and mugged by the same community he was was protecting when he was in Africa when he was walking him from the pub. English people do not know how lucky they have it.

We dont experience that shit here.

RugCarpet22 · 26/09/2021 00:10

@Evesgarden maybe you haven't lived anywhere else? Because I'm in the EU at the moment (luckily came here just before covid) and things here are pretty normal (apart from mask wearing).

@Southernbellenot I don't think these things are happening right now, just responded with more likely suggestions to some pretty fictious and unlikely future scenarios posted by @Evesgarden.

And referring to a popcorn shortage in the EU @Sarahlou63.. There's no such thing as I can see. Loads of popcorn in the shops.. Ready popped, different flavours, microwave popcorn, popcorn seeds.. Organic and normal 😂 Bought some today, so I should know.

marieantoinehairnet · 26/09/2021 00:10

YANBU

We spunked it up the wall doing Brexit

Our esteemed bat shit crazy blonde baboon has completed fooked the country up

Pumperthepumper · 26/09/2021 00:10

[quote Evesgarden]@ColorMagicBarbie absolutely!

I remember when I went to South Africa. It was stunning. We did some amazing, possibly life changing trips. But we were never ever allowed to venture out beyond the tourism trap ( which we got ripped off which is another thread) because it was too dangerous - like you will get murdered for your handbag/shoes/passport. My Bil (paras) got battered and mugged by the same community he was was protecting when he was in Africa when he was walking him from the pub. English people do not know how lucky they have it.

We dont experience that shit here.[/quote]
Ah yes, Africa. What a glorious country it is. What a great community, the Africans.

GiantHaystacks2021 · 26/09/2021 00:11

@MyPatronusIsACat

Anyone who thinks any other Government would have done better, with Brexit, Covid, lack of lorry drivers, NHS crisis, food shortages, and petrol issues blah blah blah, is utterly deluded.

No other Government would have done any better. Just thank your lucky stars that Jeremy Corbyn lost the election, or you'd have had HIM running the show. Shock THEN you'd have good reason to panic!!!

Hi Jacob.
Evesgarden · 26/09/2021 00:11

@gofg

It's not just the UK it's everywhere...it's life, let's all just do our best and deal with it.

It really isn't everywhere.

Where would you like to live? what Utopia exists please tell me!
happinessischocolate · 26/09/2021 00:12

What has always fascinated me, is that companies can pay poor wages to their employees and the country pays for an uplift to those employees incomes via benefits. Would it not be more beneficial to the country as a whole if the companies paid a decent living wage in the first place ? Or is it better economically to support the companies and their shareholders ?

What we need us more social housing at affordable rents. I pay £1450 to rent a 3 bedroom house, if there was a decent level social housing available in my area I could pay £500/£600 in rent and not need the £800 UC I get every month.

But building social housing would reduce the demand of rental properties and reduce house prices, so the conservatives who have way too much money invested in property will never agree to that.

marieantoinehairnet · 26/09/2021 00:12

@gofg

It's not just the UK it's everywhere...it's life, let's all just do our best and deal with it.

It really isn't everywhere.

We are asking Bolsanaro for food deals

Ask yourself how that's not crazy

He's a bloody despot!

TSSDNCOP · 26/09/2021 00:13

@Pumperthepumper you do seem quite attached to my posts, but again I'm pointing out that every situation presents opportunity. Markets change; finally we are seeing the opportunity for the rise of vocational skills that have been overlooked for so long.

Pumperthepumper · 26/09/2021 00:15

[quote TSSDNCOP]@Pumperthepumper you do seem quite attached to my posts, but again I'm pointing out that every situation presents opportunity. Markets change; finally we are seeing the opportunity for the rise of vocational skills that have been overlooked for so long.

[/quote]
And I’m pointing out that gloating about the next generation’s lack of choice doesn’t make it an opportunity, and nor is the sneering about draining a very particular public service. Neither of those are benefits to this situation, they’re a massive step backwards.

pontypridd · 26/09/2021 00:15

we are seeing the opportunity for the rise of vocational skills that have been overlooked for so long

my son is about to finish school. I'm desperate for some hope. Please explain this @TSSDNCOP

Where is the rise in opportunity?

Greygreenblue · 26/09/2021 00:18

For those of you who think it is like that everywhere… your fooling yourselves. While it is true that every country has its problems, even ignoring what’s in the international media, just from the threads I am seeing on this site, your country is on the brink.

marieantoinehairnet · 26/09/2021 00:18

We are certainly levelling up, or is that down?

TSSDNCOP · 26/09/2021 00:20

@pontypridd I'd advise your lad to seek out apprenticeship opportunities. I obviously can't speak for where you are, but in the SE there are lots of firms that have them. I work for one, and know of many others. When I think about it, that is actually similarity to the 70's.

RiotAtTheRodeo · 26/09/2021 00:20

@StoneofDestiny

I don’t understand the bashing of Jeremy Corbyn here

It happens every time you point out Tory mismanagement and Johnson's inadequacy as a PM. It's irrelevant as Corbyn is not, nor ever has been the PM of the UK.

We are reaping the mess Johnson and the Tories have sown. Johnson has been AWOL every time their is a national emergency of any kind as have several of his ministers. It's unbelievable that such an irresponsible and incompetent set of jackasses got voted in.

Agree.

All the Tory chumps can do when faced with Tory ineptitude is say 'but Jeremy Corbyn'.

We have a government comprised of Spectator columnists and posh boy investment bankers who clearly don't have the first clue about being in government, and still the morons tug their forelocks to them. Because they have fancy accents.

The UK needs to grow the fuck up.

Evesgarden · 26/09/2021 00:22

@Pumperthepumper - sorry should I have said Kenya. Your trying to turn what I have said it to something possibly racist - you couldn't be further form the truth but it it helps your agenda crack on..

I've seen Africa - its beyond stunning - it can be live changing - But would I want to live there? Hell no.

Pumperthepumper · 26/09/2021 00:22

[quote Evesgarden]@Pumperthepumper - sorry should I have said Kenya. Your trying to turn what I have said it to something possibly racist - you couldn't be further form the truth but it it helps your agenda crack on..

I've seen Africa - its beyond stunning - it can be live changing - But would I want to live there? Hell no.[/quote]
You haven’t said why you like England so much though?