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Politics

Pro-Cuts Rally

102 replies

smashingtime · 13/05/2011 16:15

I wonder if this rally will be given more air time than the 'Hardest Hit' one on Wed. AIBU to think this is going to be seriously inflammatory?

OP posts:
EdithWeston · 13/05/2011 16:16

Link?

smashingtime · 13/05/2011 16:17

www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/may/13/pro-cuts-rally-against-debtre

OP posts:
longfingernails · 13/05/2011 22:05

What a truly wonderful idea. Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend because I will be at work.

Whilst George Osborne is definitely taking us in the right direction, the cuts are rather minor. Every further cut in spending above those required to cut the deficit could have been used to pay off the accruing debt, or to cut income taxes - both absolutely essential to our economic future.

jackstarb · 13/05/2011 23:33

Actually it's The Rally Against Debt.

This is An interesting Blog post on the subject.

jackstarb · 13/05/2011 23:36

From my link:

"The Rally against Debt is, in reality, a moral exhortation to people (and so the Government) to live within their means. It is essentially a response to the ?March Against Cuts?, held earlier this year, which brought together many thousands of people whose logical objective was to sustain the nation?s debt and increase the budget deficit." Smile.

jackstarb · 14/05/2011 08:28

To be faur my last link was kinda humorous (depending on your sense of humour).

But anyone who wants to find out more about it should also see Rally Against Debt FAQ

complimentary · 14/05/2011 12:00

Jackstarb. Thanks for the link I would have gone if I'd known it was on earlier!

SpringHeeledJack · 14/05/2011 12:07

I note from the Guardian that Toby Young will be attending. Interesting.

maybe he's decided not to chase taxpayers' money for his elitist so-called Free School and raise the funds himself?

Or perhaps he's done that already. Would Google him, but afraid may die of fury...

jackstarb · 14/05/2011 12:20

You're welcome Comp. I'm not a rally type person. But would have like to hear some of the speakers (despite them being a bit politically right wing of me).

Strangely -.seems to have been originally organised via Twitter (which is pretty left wing).

jackstarb · 14/05/2011 12:23

From the BBC Website

Prolesworth · 14/05/2011 12:24

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MotherSnacker · 14/05/2011 12:38

I think it's in bad taste.

yes, cuts are needed. But people are going to lose jobs as a result. Very mean to rub it in.

Prolesworth · 14/05/2011 12:41

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moondog · 14/05/2011 12:42

I'd like to go and ask them to work on slashing funding that has alowed hectoring idiots from Welsh Assembly Govt. to send my child a ridiculoius hectoring certificate announcing she is a member of 'Smoke Bugs' along with an expensive backpack that she will never use.

Who the hell endorses this expenditure?

I suspect they have sullpied her with a toll free number to phone in manner of Stasi if i (heaven forbid) have a quiet fag in my garden of an evening.

HumphreyCobbler · 14/05/2011 12:47

pmsl moondog

I am in wales too, this hasn't happened to me yet. I am breathless with anticipation Grin

PrinceHumperdink · 14/05/2011 12:47

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jackstarb · 14/05/2011 15:36

It's interesting how the meaning of the word 'debt' varies depending on context.

So,

Third world debt - obviously bad. Everyone can see how it suffocates and stifles economic growth.

Graduate debt - most think that's bad. Although by definition the graduate at least gets something for this debt, and will tend to be a higher than average earner.

But, object to the increasing size of the National Debt (which is basically passing on the cost of today's public services to the next generation) and you are labelled selfish and uncaring.

Tis a strange world.Confused.

Celibin · 14/05/2011 15:41

There is a group that supports the closure of hospitals etc and I thought you were them !!

DarthNiqabi · 14/05/2011 15:46

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ttosca · 14/05/2011 15:52

That's economically illiterate, jack.

Read up on the causes of third-world debt and how is hampers development:

www.globalissues.org/issue/28/third-world-debt-undermines-development

Graduate debt is bad because it discourages people from entering further education in the first place - especially poor people. This harms the economy because we are increasingly a knowledge-based economy where graduate skills are required and it hampers social mobility because the poorest are the least likely to take on debt.

People aren't pro-debt, jack, as much as it may amuse you to construct this little straw-man argument. UK debt (as percentage of GDP) is comparatively low compared with how high it was for most of the 20th Century.

No one is suggesting that we keep on taking on more and more debt. People have a problem with the method of reducing the deficit which appears to be further undermining the economy after the recession caused by the financial crisis.

It is selfish and uncaring to cut cut cut public services which people depend upon for their lives and cut funding to the public sector which results in hundreds of thousands of job loses, when:

a) The public were not responsible for the financial crisis.

b) The people who were responsible (the banks), are not paying for the crisis which they caused, and in fact, have reported record profits.

c) Cutting public spending so drastically will further undermine the economy, prolonging the recession.

d) The Tories are using the crisis and an opportunity to remodel to the role of the state, where they have no mandate to do so from the public.

moondog · 14/05/2011 16:12

Darth, a 'free' school is just that-open to anyone.
It is you who seems to suggest such a thing only available to the rich. What an odd assumption.

If one can set up a non profit making educational organisation and run it better than a bog standard state school, for the smae amount of money, are you suggesting they shouldn't?

Humphrey, I've put in an FoI request to 'Smokebugs' and sent their smug certificate and logo emblazoned backpack back to them.

What kid is going to use that? Hmm

jackstarb · 14/05/2011 16:14

ttosca - I said everybody thinks third world debt is bad and of course it hampers development (that's what stifles economic growth means).

Just as our increasing debt will hamper our development and slow our economic growth.

I am not holding my breath for Ed's M and B come up be a credible alternative to cuts for reducing the deficit. In fact if Labour were in power, the cuts would still have happened - just delayed.

As to responsibility - we (the adults) voted in a Labour government and they followed a policy of slack banking regulation, encouraging private debt, and public borrowing (at the top of the economic cycle). In a democracy we all take responsibility for that, I'm afraid.

jackstarb · 14/05/2011 16:26

ttosca,

RE: Your 2 other points.

C) is a judgement call - which I put in the 'who knows' category. The coalition are hoping it stimulates the private sector into growth.

d) in the same way Labour used it's reducing poverty / increasing equality aims to 'grew the state' - probably.

In both cases - LABOUR LOST so it's up to the coalition to decide & we will judge them accordingly.

DarthNiqabi · 14/05/2011 16:30

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moondog · 14/05/2011 16:31

'The free schools are elitist because the ones running it can set any criteria yet are being given taxpayers money to do so.'
Really?

Evdence please.

Set up your own free school for kids with SEN.
It would probably be a hell of a lot better than what is on offer.

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