It's as simple as the fact that we cannot afford the pension liabilities that it will create
without massive pension reform that won't happen as all the public sector workers have a cry and refuse to go to work if they don't get what they want.

*stamps foot, cries until sick, goes out on strike*
( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Tue 29 Nov 2011, 17:30, 1 reply, 14 years ago)

no-one has the faintest fucking idea whether pensions can be afforded or not.
it's not predictable. It's just a message that suits the current government.

You want to bail a country out of a financial crisis? Try a) raising taxes, because there's not one single good reason for not doing that and b) stop fighting fucking wars in other people's countries.

Right now you have a financial crisis created by a downturn in the global markets. That was in turn caused by stupendously idiotic banking practicies (private sector) and then maintained by stupid economic practices/failure to ever fucking collect tax in various eurozone countries. Not because public sector pensions are quite good.

This government targets the public sector because it wants to, and because it wants to break the unions - and specifically because they know that a large proportion of the chattering Mail classes will support them because they are too stupid to see it as anything other than a "but NOT FAIR they have more pension than me" issue.

Not because it makes any sense or because there is any sound economic reason behind it.

And bear in mind, as Al will testify, I don't like unions and I do think the public sector should contribute more to their pension, and I still think Osborne is a fucktard and his policies are idiotic and insane.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Tue 29 Nov 2011, 17:43, Reply)

It wasn't silly banking practices, in all honesty.
This has happened before and it will happen again and it's not just about banks as such.
( mark morrisons prison shoes I love Willie, Tue 29 Nov 2011, 17:50, Reply)

specifically, in this case, it was rather, though, wasn't it? It was about fucking up how bad debt was packaged
But in general, absolutely, I agree. but the cost of public sector pensions had nothing to do with it, and isn't a relevant way to get out of it. That was my point
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Tue 29 Nov 2011, 17:53, Reply)

No, the debt problem was the pin that burst the bubble this time.
If you have banks listed as private companies then this whole thing will happen all over again. That is a separate discussion though.

The pension problem has little to do with this however. The simple solution is to execute people once they reach retirement. This will also mean people spend more during their lives rather than save and will further stimulate the economy. IAM GENIUZ!
( mark morrisons prison shoes I love Willie, Tue 29 Nov 2011, 17:58, Reply)

Can't fail. Mumpsy for PRESIDENT OF THE WORLD.

( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Tue 29 Nov 2011, 18:00, Reply)

Sadly it's the people closer to retirement age than thee and I that have the money and power Badger, so it will never happen.

( CQ Knows the truth, all of it., Tue 29 Nov 2011, 18:01, Reply)

Yes but we can throw things better than them and have all the guns.
REVOLUTION!
( mark morrisons prison shoes I love Willie, Tue 29 Nov 2011, 18:03, Reply)

I was saying this just the other day.

( CQ Knows the truth, all of it., Tue 29 Nov 2011, 18:00, Reply)

*narrows eyes*
A usurper. Guards! Take him to Kent.
( mark morrisons prison shoes I love Willie, Tue 29 Nov 2011, 18:02, Reply)

Welcome to the cause Comrade.

( CQ Knows the truth, all of it., Tue 29 Nov 2011, 17:51, Reply)

Only if I'm still allowed fast cars and flat screen TVs and shit?

( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Tue 29 Nov 2011, 17:57, Reply)

Well, obviously.
As one of the party officials you will have all these things, as is only right.
( CQ Knows the truth, all of it., Tue 29 Nov 2011, 17:58, Reply)

a) Apart from the laffer curve, and the fact that all but the top 5% or so of people are squeezed to hell anyway. Sure, a 60% rate foe earnings over 200k wont hurt in the short term though, but such thinks are not desirable.
b) In complete agreement
(Glucose-Maximus All over the world., Tue 29 Nov 2011, 17:52, Reply)

WILL NOBODY THINK OF THE TIT-PUNCHING?!

(NoeI «:::P:::» «:::E:::» «:::R:::» «:::V:::» «:::E:::», Tue 29 Nov 2011, 17:53, Reply)

man, I'm so sorry
I would tit-punch Jordan too, to see if my hand broke.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Tue 29 Nov 2011, 17:56, Reply)

That's more like it.

(NoeI «:::P:::» «:::E:::» «:::R:::» «:::V:::» «:::E:::», Tue 29 Nov 2011, 17:59, Reply)

I could list people I'd like a tit-wank from. Does that help?

( mark morrisons prison shoes I love Willie, Tue 29 Nov 2011, 17:59, Reply)

Sure, fire away.

(NoeI «:::P:::» «:::E:::» «:::R:::» «:::V:::» «:::E:::», Tue 29 Nov 2011, 18:00, Reply)

I'd get a titwank from Jordan
to see if my cock was up to it.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Tue 29 Nov 2011, 18:00, Reply)

I beginning to suspect you've got a bit of a thing for one Katie Price.

(NoeI «:::P:::» «:::E:::» «:::R:::» «:::V:::» «:::E:::», Tue 29 Nov 2011, 18:04, Reply)

Or are you just trying to get to Harvey?

(NoeI «:::P:::» «:::E:::» «:::R:::» «:::V:::» «:::E:::», Tue 29 Nov 2011, 18:04, Reply)

That one in the films with nice jugs, forget her name now.
Lorainne Kelly.
Any underwear model from early 90's catalogues.
TORI AMOS!!!!! of fuck me, what I wouldn't give for that.
( mark morrisons prison shoes I love Willie, Tue 29 Nov 2011, 18:05, Reply)

TORI AMOS!!!!!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BroNPS0uuNM
( mark morrisons prison shoes I love Willie, Tue 29 Nov 2011, 18:06, Reply)

If I don't get Tori Amos for Christmas this year I'm going to go MENTAL.

( mark morrisons prison shoes I love Willie, Tue 29 Nov 2011, 18:12, Reply)

How many of the public sector are in that top 5%?
and therefore why is it fair to squeeze them more?
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Tue 29 Nov 2011, 17:55, Reply)

Like I said, Osbourne is still evil.

(Glucose-Maximus All over the world., Tue 29 Nov 2011, 18:01, Reply)