After last week and Mrs Thatcher's demise

nanaej 'capitalism creates the needy' As opposed to?

Tegan nor me as regards answers. But we do now make huge amounts of money from service industries. We are doing well, just in a very different way. It's sort of easy to say 'we make x, we sell x aboard, it equates to y. But we do so well in soft industries that are less easily quantifiable. We are a great country with so many unique talents.

We aren't dependant on other countries, it's a mutual thing. And a competitive thing. Who can run a company efficiently pitched against a competitor, get the business. It's no different in Europe, our old school state industries could pitch against anyone else.

I suppose the counter argument Sel is that capitalism creates the needy & we could have had a strong manufactuing base as Germany does!

The rich get richer...look at the multi nationals..its not smaller , local independent businesses that I dislike but the grasping billionaires and speculative financiers who want more and more and in doing so squash smaller people!

That is why I never understood why privatisation of national assets and utilities/transport etc was seen as such a good thing. If they were still in state control the profits could be available for the needy rather than the fat cats! Competition is not always a good thing! i do not think rail services have improved as a result!

But it's making us dependant on other countries. Where are we now? Bankers making millions for doing a bad job [with our money]. I'm not saying that Socialism works; the more you do for people the less they do for themselves. But Capitalism isn't working either. And people need jobs. We can't all be bankers or accountants. Or would be X Factor winners. People need the self respect that having a rewarding job gives them. I don't pretend to know the answer.

We can't go backwards. We have to move on from the era where we had engineering expertise and natural resources. That is hard for areas of the country that depended on such things, but it's 30 years ago. Is harking back good?

But how is our society now making that money? No manufacturing industry to speak of and most of our energy is provided by companies that are owned by other countries?

I'm happy to accept we've moved on but equally must admit I have been surprised at some peoples' thoughts, I guess if you've been personally affected 20-30 years ago, it's hard to move on.

For myself, as a child of a docker, who was Labour through and through, I never voted Conservative, but I never voted Labour either. I really disliked any adherence to party lines.

Wouldn't it be the best thing if we recognised what people actually want is the same thing? A society that makes money which enables it to care for the those in need?

I'm at odds with those who say the best way to do this is the Socialist way. History has proved this wrong. Capitalism makes the money to provide for the needy. I really don't see a viable alternative and if someone has one, I'd be interested to hear how it could work.

gracesmum

nanaej!

Yes please. It's all gone now!

Thatcheration point indeed!

Hope moving on is the general view. One anecdote if I may:
a friend who works in London had a call from a neighbour here in Bucks where she has a cottage, to say she has a hole in her thatch. She told me that trying to google "thatcher"today for a quote for a repair was a bit of a nightmare!!

I think I'm all Thatchered Out now

The human race has to learn from history and to do that it has to be analysed, which can usually only be done when dust has settled. As they said today on the telly, now is the time for the historians to make of her legacy what they will.

I did think it was cathartic - everyone had their say. Those who were upset at things that happened 30plus years ago got to retell their stories. Will we move on?

Did nothing all day. Boring!

I am feeling fine thanks.

I had a great day; spent time in the garden, did a bit of ' real 'work, popped onto GN and FB, had fun with my DGC and enjoyed a delicious supper.

History moves on.

And, anyway we'd only be going over old ground.

Okay , lets get started , who"s first ?

Quite!

Depends on how long we run and run for Ana.

Would that I will live another 40 years .

sadly though I might turn into a crabbit old woman .

God forbid .

This could run and run...

Oh, I dunno though............Hundred and eleven. Hmmm. You never know!

Not for us it won't!