Firstly, good morning, all. I trust we're all good?
What puts me in a bad mood?

I'd have to say what puts me in a bad mood is when I think about the state of this country.

Now before I go off on a diatribe, I ought to clarify that I'm of an ethnic persuasion, so it should put my following comments into context.

I can't stand the way this country is going. There used to be a sense of community and a spirit of "let's work together". Now we have immigrants and homegrown scum claiming benefits and not working and contributing to society. We have gangs hanging around on street corners making people feel unsafe on their own streets.

There was also a time when people took a pride in what they did. "Made in the UK" was almost like a seal of quality, now, it's met witn derision. We had a thriving industry of manufacturing. But due to "saving money" they have been closed down and moved to lower cost countries (so the next time you buy something "Made in China/Poland/Latvia (delete as applicable)" because it's £5 cheaper, remember what the REAL cost is!). Now people buy foreign made goods and people lose jobs here.

Then, we have the opposite end of the scale, where, let's say, everyone in the UK was a productive member of society. They paid their taxes, bought British, and helped everyone form communties to work together. The government would screw the people over in a heartbeat. Spending taxpayers' money on expensive cars for them for "state visits" (cars which aren't even made in the UK!). Politicians being caught fiddling their expenses. Buying second homes with more tax money, because "it's closer to where I work" (whereas most people have to move house to be closer to work, rather than buy a second home). Then, the government will spend more money bailing out banks (approximate cost £300bn and rising) because the banks made bad investments. Any other industry (i.e MG Rover) would receive no money from the government and be told "that's laws of economics". But when a bank fails? "Have loads of money! You're so valuable to our economy!"

It pains me to see the UK turning into this. It used to be such a great country.

There are still decent people and decent communities around, but the scum are gradually out-numbering us.
(The Stig, Wed 15 Oct 2008, 8:17, Reply)