Wandering Off Topic

[G-Unit]

Politicians are elected by the constituents they represent.  If they can’t empathise with their issues and problems then they have no business being in politics. 
Measures to help the poorest have been put in place and will make very little difference, nearly everyone will be worse off despite these measures, so people who are struggling now will be struggling even more in 6 months time - fact.
I didn’t ever suggest politicians should have no empathy for businesses (“f..k business” Boris Johnson - though he clearly did, for a split second at any rate).   I appreciate that politics is a balancing act and a thankless task, but the country is now in a crisis situation, a crisis not being suffered by the ultra rich in this country, or the politicans running it, but by a large percentage of the men, women and children living in it.  Politicians are elected to help their constituents so they need to get on with it and do more to help.  IMO.  An effective opposition would be a start.  We’re slowly getting there after years in the wilderness (thanks Jeremy), but more action needs to be taken soon if not now before civil unrest and rebellion returns to the streets.

Politicians may be elected by constituents, and may well empathise with them. Some of their constituents may be opposed to putting other's needs before theirs, however. ('benefit scoungers' being one example)

On the other hand, constituents are only able to choose from those candidates put forward - usually by one or other of the political parties. Therefore they are obligated to those who proposed them as well as those who elected them.

An individual may empathise with his/her constituents, but their party leaders and it's ideologists may think that constituents may have to deal with an inevitably lower standard of living. If politicians believe it's inevitable then the balancing act comes into play yet again.

[Vertigo Swirl]

It'll soon be a dog eat dog world, or possibly dog eat owner world.

More likely owner eat dog world.

[Vertigo Swirl]

Exactly. If consumers can't buy then producers can't sell. Our capitalist system needs both or it will collapse. If people can't consume and businesses therefore can't sell this affects the government's ability to help any of them as it's income shrinks due to loss of revenue from direct and indirect taxation.

Suggesting that empathetic government is the answer ignores the complex issues involved, sadly.

You have completely misrepresented what I have said as per usual.

[Vertigo Swirl]

Very often it's not producers directly. Many UK sellers just sell on 'boxes' containing some foreign import without adding any sort of value at all. This actually weakens our economy unless there are corresponding exports to balance things up.

We do need a government that is more attuned to the needs of all  it's population and not just the top few percent

Exactly.  Thank you.

[Vertigo Swirl]

Tanning salon - if ever there was an unnecessary 'industry' that must be near the top  of the list.

You could say that about the entire beauty industry, including hairdressers, just buy a pair of scissors or clippers.  Of course if tanning salons all close down then that’s even more empty premises on the high street, less reason for people going into town centres, less passing trade for other businesses and so on and so on.  Picking on tanning salons specifically  is just middle class snobbery imo.

[G-Unit]

I'm more a cat person.

Fine, but I think we need to follow Australia's example and make cat owners take responsibilty for their pets.

[jassi]

Fine, but I think we need to follow Australia's example and make cat owners take responsibilty for their pets.

People don't own cats. They merely share their lives with them.

[G-Unit]

You could say that about the entire beauty industry, including hairdressers, just buy a pair of scissors or clippers.  Of course if tanning salons all close down then that’s even more empty premises on the high street, less reason for people going into town centres, less passing trade for other businesses and so on and so on.  Picking on tanning salons specifically  is just middle class snobbery imo.

If a person gets upset and stressed because they can't afford a tanning session I think they need to rearrange their priorities.

[G-Unit]

People don't own cats. They merely share their lives with them.

If you buy something it belongs to you, as you'll discover if you nick your neighbour's cat.

[Wonderfulspam]

If a person gets upset and stressed because they can't afford a tanning session I think they need to rearrange their priorities.

She missed the context entirely.

[jassi]

If you buy something it belongs to you, as you'll discover if you nick your neighbour's cat.

You can't steal a cat, unless you completely relocate it. People get hung up about ownership, but given a choice, cats go where they want.

[Vertigo Swirl]

If a person gets upset and stressed because they can't afford a tanning session I think they need to rearrange their priorities.

FGS.  Who here has suggested that people are getting stressed because they can’t afford their tanning sessions?  Once again you have misrepresented what I have said and completely missed the point of my last post. 

[Vertigo Swirl]

Fine, but I think we need to follow Australia's example and make cat owners take responsibilty for their pets.

And their dogs.  I am surrounded at home by neighbours dogs on all sides that bark and yelp regularly throughout the day.  It is very annoying but the owners don’t seem to mind it.  My cat is by comparison virtually silent and does not crap on the pavement.  Sure, he kills s few mice for fun and the occasional bird but so far he hasn’t savaged any children to death which is good (he did just attack my hand for failing to stroke him sufficiently though).

[G-Unit]

FGS.  Who here has suggested that people are getting stressed because they can’t afford their tanning sessions?  Once again you have misrepresented what I have said and completely missed the point of my last post.

So people are getting stressed and upset because they fear they won't be able to afford to pay for food and energy....is that what you're saying?

Average energy bills are set to rise by £693 per year or £57.75 per month. My provider overestimated my energy usage last year, and set my DD at £85 per month. At the end of my fixed term they had to repay £600 to me. My fixed term ends in August and I think they will again owe me a repayment as I'm already in credit and my usage is going to decrease during the summer months.

My bills are actually lower than average, but even if I have to pay a DD of the amount I am paying at present plus £57.75 I will have to pay £102.75. which is less than £20 a month more than I paid during the year ending August 2021. The CT rebate I will get soon cuts that down by another £12.50 per month, so I can see no reason for me to stress and worry. I know my pension income will cover the increase.

I do spend a lot on food because, due to a lessening appetite, I make sure I have choices; so I can cut down on my food shopping if I need to.

As a pensioner I have more income than those on benefits and I probably have less demands on my funds, so I'm lucky. The FACT that a single pensioner gets more to live on than a single person on Universal Credit is down to ideaological beliefs - I am deemed to have earned my pension and to deserve enough to live on. Universal Credit is lower because those claiming it need 'encouraging' to either get a job or to get a better paid one.

[Vertigo Swirl]

So people are getting stressed and upset because they fear they won't be able to afford to pay for food and energy....is that what you're saying?

Average energy bills are set to rise by £693 per year or £57.75 per month. My provider overestimated my energy usage last year, and set my DD at £85 per month. At the end of my fixed term they had to repay £600 to me. My fixed term ends in August and I think they will again owe me a repayment as I'm already in credit and my usage is going to decrease during the summer months.

My bills are actually lower than average, but even if I have to pay a DD of the amount I am paying at present plus £57.75 I will have to pay £102.75. which is less than £20 a month more than I paid during the year ending August 2021. The CT rebate I will get soon cuts that down by another £12.50 per month, so I can see no reason for me to stress and worry. I know my pension income will cover the increase.

I do spend a lot on food because, due to a lessening appetite, I make sure I have choices; so I can cut down on my food shopping if I need to.

As a pensioner I have more income than those on benefits and I probably have less demands on my funds, so I'm lucky. The FACT that a single pensioner gets more to live on than a single person on Universal Credit is down to ideaological beliefs - I am deemed to have earned my pension and to deserve enough to live on. Universal Credit is lower because those claiming it need 'encouraging' to either get a job or to get a better paid one.

You know what I’m saying, it’s there in black and white in my posts.  Nowhere did I suggest that people are getting stressed because they can’t afford a spray tan.  I’m glad you’re alright Jacqueline, my parents energy bill is due to increase by £800 in May and then again some more in October perhaps by the same amount again.  Given that their joint state pension is their only income you do the math.  Now tell them to just be happy and enjoy the pretty trees.