The budget: thumbs up or thumbs down?

[policywonk]

Interested in seeing what the MN consensus is (if we can reach such a thing)

For me: thumbs up, on balance, despite not enough Hot Low-Carbon Action

Am I Polly Toynbee? That's a turn up for the books.

okay sticky, so say, just say that Gordy put black armbands on and said -sorry guys, the country's fucked and there's no way back - would that work for you -I mean really would it? They're admitting it's a mess (did you see the Budget statement, it was pretty blunt in terms of worst recession, etc). But think about the reality of total honesty. They can't talk this up, as that would precipitate disaster. Remember what happened when Robert Peston blew the whistle on Northern Rock? So if the truth's as dire as you reckon and they decide to
fess up, imagine the panic. The country would collapse in a heartbeat. Pursuing that logic further means that they have to do something positive, which means policies to get us out of it. And does anyone seriously think that they're deliberately doing the worst thing they can?! They might well be wrong or misguided in policy terms, but they're most definitely trying..

pwonk, nah - she's a god in human form, and you're hair's far too trendy - have seen the pic from the G20

That's a relief. Was panicking about filing a 2000-word piece by tomorrow.

Chrysler's just filed for bankruptcy apparently.

meant to say 'your' - need wine

Blimey. That is big news. Must go cook something in time for news at ten.

Sorry - hasn't actually filed but is thought to be gearing up to do so.

(I was politely ignoring your catapostrophe.)

catapostrophe - like that. Though I don't like doing them. Didn't Obama bail them out? Chrysler that is..

Interesting though as Obama's doing what Brown's tried to do and pumping money into Chrysler and General Motors is just one example, as like Brown he's using similar tactics across their economy. So who's right - Brown and the Americans, or does Mr Sarkozy have a point? I genuinely haven't a clue, but it's soo interesting. As are Mr S's shoe uplifts - why-oh-why does a man in such a position of power feel the need to do that..?