I'm anti big government and big business ...although I accept that some projects require the scale that they offer (a small business couldn't build a Jumbo jet, small government might not be able to push through huge projects like HS2). But if it were down to me I'd give massive incentives to small businesses, lower the tax burden on them and make it easier for them to fire people . On the other hand I'd gradually raise the minimum wage and encourage those that choose not to work to get off their asses by making them do something for their welfare.

I also think that we need to be more self sufficient as a country, grow more of our own food, make more of our own products even if that increases costs. It may mean that we have a bit less, but that would probably do us good.

We also need more housing for those that can't afford to buy, but council housing should also come with rules...ie, regular inspections (as in the past) to make sure you're looking after the place...so many council tenants trash their housing.

Basically I believe in a combination or rights with responsibilities and have a preference for smaller businesses over multi-nationals, a preference for the rights of individuals over groups.

That just gives you an idea of my domestic politics...I'm not getting into writing a treatise.

Just to give some context to the dangers of this virus...in 1968-69 between 1 to 4 million people died of Hong Kong flu. So far about a quarter of a million have died with/because of covid 19.

I'm with you on this , there are many bullshit jobs. I've been on building sites where there are more project managers than workers. Also quite often on site work being carried out is totally pointless...architects design parts of a roof (I'm a roofer) that are difficult to build, look shit , create extra maintenance and problems (things like hidden gutter system s that easily get blocked up).

I think you're a bit unbalanced mate. Comparing Trump to Hitler is a thing some lefty brainwashed school kid would do...grow up.

I completely agree with you , that consciousness is the foundation of reality. The foundation of that consciousness is what we call God, I've likened it to God being windows 10 and each individual human being , say, chrome browser. Ockham's razor even backs this idea...it is less complex to think of a "thought" only universe than one that contains thoughts and non-thoughts.

Separately from that I think that language grew our consciousness, the word.

I'm not President Trump's biggest fan, but credit where credit is due, he's the only world leader standing up to the CCP (other than the Australians) .

This thread cheers me up , it confirms what I have always suspected, that the EU is a leftist project (judging by the fact that you are all, without exception , leftists). The good news is that it also confirms my belief that leftist pseudo intellectuals are so busy navel gazing that they do not see that their empire is collapsing from the inside...a growing number of citizens over whom it has power no longer want it...if they ever did.

This piece goes some way to explain how China is infiltrating Western institutions and threatening us . Imo, it won't be long before a cold war develops...China has already started down that road. A hot war could follow and I wouldn't put it beyond China to threaten the use of biological weapons in such a situation...it ain't like they haven't had practice.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/05/01/hesitating-demand-international-inquiry-china/

I now realise why the left does not insult China...it exemplifies what the want Europe to become...a post-democratic tie up between big authoritarian government (command economy) and big business...a form of fascism ...funny that they pretend fascism is the thing they hate most.

The idea that countries getting together to form post-democratic empires is somehow good for the long term is farcical. The idea that the EU has saved Europe from war is farcical..NATO did that...Japan ain't in the EU ...have they been at war since WW2 ?

The point is that no one can forecast the future but we can decide how we get there, like choosing not to go down the post-democratic empire building route for instance. You only have to go back through some posts here to realise that the people who want the EU are overwhelmingly leftists...leftists love authority, big government and all the corruption that comes with it.

Here's something for leftists to consider...there's fuck all difference between big government and big business, that's why they get along so well in China.

How the fuck is a democratic decision a coup?

The gain was mentioned a while back...less over paid politicians and less unaccountable commissars getting to decide what the over paid politicians get to vote on. Leaving guarantees nothing except UK politicians get to take the blame or credit for what happens...if they fuck up it's easier to get rid of them because they are elected.

People keep saying how small the UK is and how much we need Germany (which is the driving force of the EU) but other countries do just fine outside of it.

We can make this a pissing competition over who's had the harder life but I don't see the point.

I guess we will see, but I have very little faith in either group...they tend to be risk averse and so don't think big , or outside the box.

By "align" do you mean join , like we joined the EU ? Or do you mean do trade deals ?

Your sum up is correct frank. There are some positives to being in the EU, like easy holiday travel, but those advantages come at the cost of a less democratic , less accountable internationalist (globalist) elite. And you are right that the more "educated" middle class are prepared to throw their working class compatriots to the wolves...it comes with the internationalist outlook...they have no problem helping a Romanian get a job over a Briton especially if the Romanian is cheaper, they really don't care about national identity. The working class do care about national identity but the liberal left dress that up as racism.

hopefully...one step up from a socialist one.Bye.

I put my country first but I like us to get on well with other like minded countries and have a controlled immigration system. You're the weirdos lol.

The Irish make me laugh, you inhabit a tiny country that has tried to become an offshore base for big multinationals ...then pretend that you are left wing and care about the workers that you are replacing...Germany's going to want those businesses mate, like I said , you're fucked.

GDP is also a really poor measure of well being ...unless you think America is heaven on Earth.

Seems most working class disagree with you , most of them voted Tory.

You Irish never learn...but Germany will teach you the hard way...comply or die. You are a dependent nation, you could never just leave the EU now. You're fucked.

Looks like you paddies aren't all so keen on immigrants....

https://www.thejournal.ie/irish-immigration-attitudes-3930048-Mar2018/

It's not "if" lol.

You Irish are going to be in the shit too...that will be an even bigger laugh when your German masters tell you to bring your tax rates into line...brilliant.

I can't wait for when the Italians and Spanish ask their German best friends to bail them out! It's going to be hilarious!

I like JRM, great man , hopefully one day he'll be our prime minister so that whiners like you can cry yourselves to sleep every night dreaming of your socialist empire that will never materialise.

Are you being homophobic or just day dreaming?

It's funny you say that Boris will turn the UK into the US...but most immigrants in the world would rather go to the US than be smothered by the anti-democratic ,low economic growth zone known as the EU. Thank God we're out!

Took you a while to come up with that...booze is addling your brain mate.lol.

The reality is that most immigrants from Europe have taken low paid jobs...so jobs like the ones I keep pointing out are less well paid (in real terms ) than they used to be. Many of these jobs are also subsidised by the state through such low paid workers getting tax credits, housing benefits etc. Everyone that I know and work with work with EU migrants, my neighbours are Romanian, I don't dislike these people but I can see that the EU is set up in such a way as to supply cheap labour and undercut wage costs for business and public sector employment .

The liberal left has no loyalty to its own nation , its own people, it considers such things vulgar. The trouble is that most people still have a preference for their own and can see what the EU has been attempting.

The world's population is projected to grow to nearly 11 billion by the end of this century...I guess to you that is good news, the more people the better.The growth in the dutch population of 7 million people since 1950 has been great, no costs involved.All is rosy in the Netherlands.

Taxi drivers must be having it off there lol.

You're getting a bit pervy now...are you on the shant already?

If I saw people around me telling me that their wages and costs of living are getting better, then I'd say that you might have a point ...but they are not and you don't.

There is an inclination on the liberal left to trust the output of large organisations and governments rather than just look around themselves...that probably explains why they want more politicians and bureaucrats in their lives.

You really don't get reality do you ? You think taxi drivers are earning more than ever don't you? You think delivery drivers are richer than they've ever been , that labourers are creaming it in, that shop workers are loaded compared to the past. Oh deary me.

So you don't mind if your population density is going up...therefore you don't care if the World's population density goes up...at least be honest about it. I thought you Dutch people were a bit "greener" than that... you learn something every day.

Tbh, I'm not particularly keen on jocks, especially the gobby lefty ones that dominate message boards...I think you understand that.

The Scots have declined as a people...they are the biggest whining bunch of lazy , alcoholic bastards in Europe...that's why I'd really like you chaps to get your "FREEDOM!" as Mel Gibson said.

The talk of EU nationals being vital to the NHS misses some facts too...

1)The NHS is guilty of poaching skilled health workers from poorer countries who have often paid to train them.

2) The increase in low paid EU workers puts a greater strain (in numbers) on the NHS. Many of these workers qualify for benefits (housing , tax credits etc) so do not contribute greatly towards the cost of the NHS.

I'm not against managed inward migration though...if we need to steal nurses and doctors from poorer countries so be it.

I bet it's not as strong as my impression of you jocky boy.

So you are absolutely fine with mass inward migration to the Netherlands ...and most Dutch people are up for it too. I guess from your perspective the bigger the world's population gets the better...because that's what you want for your own country!