Has Gransnet changed your point of view?

I found MaizieD educated me in realising that that national debt isn’t something to be feared. We are a sovereign state and can issue whatever fiscal means is deemed necessary. It’s not like ‘housekeeping’ money a lá Margaret Thatcher that has to be ‘paid back’. The whole, stupid, awful austerity measures by George bluddy Osborne decimated society - and wasn’t even necessary. Makes my blood boil to think about his wrecking ball tenancy as Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Thank you MaizieD.
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Haven't been here long enough yet. But I have been going through some of the recent threads (partly to see what people were talking about on newer threads) and have read some interesting links.

Like others I find it interesting to hear the viewpoints of others who live in different circumstances and have had different experiences.

I've certainly questioned some of my views more as a result of discussions here. I always read links and will often read a fair few sources which support alternative views to mine. I would be happy to admit I'd changed my view too. I found MaizieD's posts were a source of great interest and triggered a lot of discussion at home. So yes, there's a lot of value in many of the posts on here.

diygran- glad to hear you weren't intimidated, sadly, I know too many who'd rather avoid confrontation.

Iam64

The first ‘issue’ that came to mind for me was the various discussions on transgender. They became heated and rather polarised. My views weren’t changed, in fact I found some of the lecturing, patronising posts in support eg of self ID so dismissive, my views probably strengthened.

My views on transgender issues were forever changed and shaped by MN a few years ago. I wasn’t on GN then and don’t know when the issue first started being discussed here.

How were your views changed Suziewoozie? What in particular changed your view?

LauraNorder

How were your views changed Suziewoozie? What in particular changed your view?

I’ll try and be brief - I came at the issue originally from a very trans rights perspective. In terms of personal experience, I had worked for years with a woman who has fully transitioned. Through MN discussions including a range of links, I became aware of the TRA movement and the potential problems of self id and the way the movement so rapidly gained a foothold in influencing government. Final point was the realisation that giving one group of people rights should not mean another group having their rights severely curtailed.

Thank you

Urmston, I am sorry Maizie is wrong and I usually post so every time she brings up the subject of national debt. I am an economist, so feel I can speak with some knowledge of the subject.

M0nica

*Urmston*, I am sorry Maizie is wrong and I usually post so every time she brings up the subject of national debt. I am an economist, so feel I can speak with some knowledge of the subject.

I agree with Monica
Of course it isn’t a household budget but neither is printing too much money the answer either.Far from it!
I read views on here with interest (sometimes) and now and then it will make me think further about a topic, which is always a good thing.

It would be lovely if the government could just print a load of money to build hospitals, schools, roads, railways, bridges. To pay for more doctors, nurses, firemen, policemen, teachers.
Give everyone a huge pay rise. If it worked that way all countries would be rich and there’d be no poverty.
There have to be checks and balances. Someone has to pay for it all in the end and taxes across the board will have to rise to pay for the covid nightmare.
I wish MaizieDs theory worked but it doesn’t.
I think George Osbourne did the right thing with the austerity measures, it had to be done, hopefully this government and future governments will find a better way to service the national debt. Creation of a stronger manufacturing base would be a good start in my opinion.

No, mostly it makes me more confirmed in my views. In the words of Robert Owen, ‘ all the world is queer except thee and me and even thee art a little queer’

I think this is a really good question LauraNorder. I’ve learned quite a lot I think, because I’m another one who likes to check out facts for myself rather than shoot from the hip, and I’ve had more time to do that in the last few months.

I’ve reflected on some of the posts, particularly from those with scientific and academic backgrounds who put forward arguments with a solid foundation, and taken their comments on board. I’ve also learned more about who to avoid responding to because they completely ignore any evidence that doesn’t support their views, and go on and on in some cases - although they do add a certain entertainment value!

I have learnt quite a lot about other people's beliefs and opinions and why they have them. This has made me question myself as to why I have my own ideas, how I got them, and hopefully have a good reason for thinking as I do about certain subjects, not just inherited or learnt behaviour. I find it strange, for example, that people vote the way their parents voted, just because their parents did so. I have found the posts from those with a professional background in economics, or social work or science for example to be very useful.