That's where we're going to have to agree to disagree and leave it there
because I think we all have an inalienable right to own a property.

I live in a place where huge city bonuses directly affect local inflaction and where one in three properties are a rented second home, and the people who live in them can pay the rent just fine (which covers the mortgage payments nicely) but can't afford to 30 grand or more for the mortgage deposit.

The artificial squeeze on the supply of houses increases demand and increases prices. We do not have a shortage of houses in this country, we just have a set of classes from middle upwards who have been educated to believe that the next best place to put your money after your own home is...another home.

Maybe I'm wrong to blame the government for this "education", maybe I should blame the press. But who should I blame for the taxation structure which allows this horror?
(MrOli is ugly, but in the morning you will be sober, Tue 15 Jun 2010, 13:56, 1 reply)

Well, it'd be a dull world if everyone agreed. But I'd be interested to know why you think that's a right?
Do you think you have an absolute right to own other things you can't afford? I'd quite like a Lotus Evora, for instance.

but, again, the taxation rules aren't really the problem. Again, notice, they aren't a problem in other countries where the rules are similar. It's what people choose to do with their money which is the problem, and a government that seriously interferes with that isn't a democracy, it's a dictatorship.

If you mean areas of London by the way, the "city bonus" property price theory is a bit of a red herring. It's more driven by foreign investment these days and has been for some time. That's probably about the only area where maybe the government could change things, but they'd struggle with EU legislation and free trade I suspect. One reason why Switzerland isn't in the EU is that they can prevent non-Swiss nationals from buying property. But it has some horrible downsides, particularly for resident non-Swiss natives.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Tue 15 Jun 2010, 14:24, closed)

lol, think we're talking at cross purposes here...
I'm not talking about any right to own things I can't afford, I'm just lamenting a world where I can't afford them due to others' greed.

Or rather, I could afford them if I were willing to put myself in a crippling amount of debt, and in the process inslave myself to my boss and anyone else who might otherwise impair my chances of repaying.

I quite like saving for things and buying them, and having enough of a buffer in the bank that I know I could walk out at any time if I wanted. I'm nice to people because I generally want to be, not because I'm watching my back.

Unfortunately, saving might once have got me a house, car, comfortable life...but not these days.

I find these things very sad, Badge, and I like to imagine it's the government's or the banks or the media's fault, cos I don't think it's mine...but maybe you're right and we only have ourselves to blame.
(MrOli is ugly, but in the morning you will be sober, Tue 15 Jun 2010, 15:37, closed)

It's probably a little bit of everything
but we made it that way, I'm afraid. These things are sad but they appeal to the masses, whether because they lack the capacity to see the bad shit behind it or else they like to pretend it isn't there. But where you are right, in that 50 years ago saving would get you all those things, people these days demand them NOW and fuck the consequences. There is an extent that you have to accept that because the majority want it that way, and the country/world can't run another way for you or me's benefit. Sadly.

May I suggest leaving London and coming to Edinburgh? property's much cheaper ;)

But the greed that denies you these things? It's nice to blame the banks or some bankers or whatever, but it's humanity what done it. Sorry.

Oh. And I also advocate burning this fucking world.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Tue 15 Jun 2010, 15:55, closed)

That would be lovely,
I've been to Edinburgh, it's a gorgeous place. Unfortunately I quite like where I am, too. Not London, can't stand the place...Brighton - where the londoners like to spend their bonuses.
(MrOli is ugly, but in the morning you will be sober, Tue 15 Jun 2010, 16:47, closed)

Except it has a shit beach

( sandettie light vessel automatic New Twitter - @bollocksreally, Tue 15 Jun 2010, 17:49, closed)