Simply says what we've been saying here for years; Democracy doesn't work.

... and they are certainly NOT switching to Labour ... in one by-election only 25% voted and in the other (central Manchester) the turnout of 18.16% is believed to be the lowest in a UK parliamentary by-election since World War II

Tory Lincolnshire knocked out both the Tory and labour candidates in the first round and went with Alan Hardwick the ex TV journo standing as an independent.

I only going to vote in General Election to and try get these Tory Morons out.

ghastly, idiotic adoption of a USA idea to elect prosecutors , judges, the sheriff etc.

I think England rejected that concept.

I think 'plea bargaining' would have been next.

Plea Bargaining very much exists in the UK, Hedda; check out my song Plead Guilty.

I like Alan Hardwick - he interviewed me once (for Calendar?) - and its good to see that 25% of all the PCCs are actually independent ... pretty pointless otherwise, as party-political candidates will just follow the party line.

andrew wrote:
I only going to vote in General Election to and try get these Tory Morons out.

the signs are NOT looking good - for you - the Tories won more PCC seats that the loonies did !

In Manchester the vote (to support Silliband) was the lowest by-election result ever !

Silliband has already lasted far longer than I thought he would .... does anyone really believe he will still be there in another two and a half years?

People said about Blair ITK.

andrew wrote:
People said about Blair ITK.

Do you mean "people (also) said that about Blair"?

If so, Mr Silliband could follow B-Lair's lead and form a "new" party (so people hopefully would not remember what a disaster they were previously). He could call it the New Loonies !

Personally I'd rather like to see Labour win the next election .... can you imagine?
All those policies that they dont have ???!

They will promise everyone ANYTHING - but wont be able to deliver ...
WHO would ever lend a Labour government money in the future?

We were promised a referendum from the Tory Twat David never going to happen, people in general said Blair wouldn't last.

David should do what he did best when he was young just smoke pot and avoid politics, unemployment has soared again but due to the work programme they are no long registered by the Jobcentre and can swindle the figures.

andrew wrote:
unemployment has soared again but due to the work programme they are no long registered by the Jobcentre and can swindle the figures.

..... and what would be your solution to this ?

(PS - you are not allowed to use the word "borrow" !!!!!!)

Bring back the FJF ITK simple.

andrew wrote:
Bring back the FJF ITK simple.

FJF ???

I do hope you are NOT suggesting we set up businesses simply in order to employ those who are unemployable, are you?

Would YOU but their goods?

It worked ITK you have no idea what life is like on the dole. Whats wrong employing people that the governments pays for ?

6 months working is better than 6 months on the dole.

andrew wrote:
Whats wrong employing people that the governments pays for ?


Governments dont run businesses very well (history shows that).

Why should we (taxpayers) subsidise "employers" to make something that no one will ever buy? Its insane.

We are already subsidising dolers' housing and other benefits.

We've already spent £50K educating each and every child that leaves school (appx figure) - what makes you think spending any more will produce anything at all? Is it OUR fault that they have wasted their education (and our money)? Is it OUR fault that they are unemployable?

Your average doler wants to buy cheap Primark tee shirts at a couple of quid. Would you work for such a low wage that a product can be sold for that figure?

The dolers dont understand basic economics ... they want the best possible product (but will not pay for it) at the lowest possible price. To achieve that only the sweatshops of Asia can produce goods cheaply enough.

It works in Communist countries - where you have to work for low wages and then can only afford the "standard issue" clothing, but in the west - where people want choice (of price / quality / design etc) - it can never work

Just because a doler can't find work don't make them lazy, unemployable or stupid ITK people just need to get a foot through the door get some references. FJF didn't do much retail work it did new businesses, care homes, cleaning, decorating and basic maintenance. Even thou the Government funded these jobs the employer still had pay income tax.

andrew wrote:
Just because a doler can't find work don't make them lazy, unemployable or stupid ITK people just need to get a foot through the door get some references.

Agreed - but one HAS to wonder why they are in that position? Unemployment dropped (again) last month (was it by 29,000?) how come others are getting these jobs and some people are not?

FJF didn't do much retail work it did new businesses, care homes, cleaning, decorating and basic maintenance. Even thou the Government funded these jobs the employer still had pay income tax.

If there is a demand, then private employers will set them up, without any risk to the taxpayer.

We've had loads of similar schemes over the years, people just go round in circles and we end up in the same position (having lost alot of money).

Why cant the unemployed set-up their own decorating / cleaning business (if, as you say, there is a demand?)

I bet my local paper right now has dozens of care home jobs - why are they not applying for those existing jobs?

People can't always get in to care homes you need at least 2 references NVQ Level 2, not everyone has the money to go to college to enroll you need to have your own money if you are on the dole,and you can't go to college if you are a job seeker.

It takes money set up a business and most people on the dole can't afford their own transport to get to places and JSA won't pay for many lessons.

andrew wrote:
People can't always get in to care homes you need at least 2 references NVQ Level 2, not everyone has the money to go to college to enroll you need to have your own money if you are on the dole,and you can't go to college if you are a job seeker.

... and therein the rub !
Like I said .....

We've already spent £50K educating each and every child that leaves school (appx figure) - what makes you think spending any more will produce anything at all? Is it OUR fault that they have wasted their education (and our money)? Is it OUR fault that they are unemployable?

Most of these schoolkids have not even passed basic exams by the time they leave school ... and then have to go to some "Mickey Mouse college" to get qualifications that they should have achieved years before.

It would probably take then till their 50s to get NVQs !

It takes money set up a business and most people on the dole can't afford their own transport to get to places and JSA won't pay for many lessons.

... yep - but we are NOT chucking any more good money after bad (and I'm shocked that JSA pay for ANY lessons at all) !