divert foreign aid to flood-hit British families

Samcam's dad was lucky enough to be born into a rich family. He is a baronet, and was born into a family with land. Nothing to do with brains.
Cameron now discourages the idea of windfarms, knowing that his family gets money from the government for windfarms. That's nothing to do with brains either.

Socrates comes to mind. Or was it Aristotle ?

There could be an 'e' in potatos/oes

How do I know if I read the same things as you do??? (see previous comment)

And what the - ditto - has Samcam's dad got to do with the price of potatos?! Or fish.

You did not answer my question, Jingle. You asked me to ask you directly, which I did. There's no need to swear because I did as you asked.
Are you watching Question Time?
Samcam's dad is given half a million pounds a year in subsidies for two windfarms in North Lincolnshire.

I'm the Torygraph (but mainly for the cryptic crossword)

The Gurniad?

Well, I can guess.

Of course you know, jingl

Even

language Eglantine,[shovk]

And I don't know what the fuck you read.

I've answered your question.

Do you read the same things as the rest of us, Jingle? I am particularly thinking about the fact that Cameron's money came from his dad running a business to cheat the taxman by setting up offshore funds. Osborne's money came from his dad's wallpaper business. Neither of them are renowned for their work ethic or brains.

Most people who reach the top of their chosen profession do so through hard work. And if that profession is at all cerebral, then a good brain would surely help.

Would you like to ask "Jingle" directly jendurham?

Feel free.

What about Miliband and Balls?

I agree with you, Absent, about MPs and ministers.
Does Jingle not read the same things that the rest of us do?
Since when did Cameron and Osborne get where they are because of brains and a good work ethic?

absent Agreed!

I thought you had left this thread, nigglynellie. Obviously you had more to say.

I have no more to add.

And often people who are not really well off are quietly helping.

margaret, I was thinking the same thing about Jen's mum. You put the thought into words nicely.

jingl It's one of those sayings – as soon as someone mentions Nazis in the context of a general conversation, rational debate ceases. Actually, once the subject here turned to the idea that overseas aid is a result of colonial guilt, ratiocination didn't seem to be its guiding feature.

As far as rich MPs and ministers go, it helps if your parents (and parents' parents) are stinking rich to start off with – otherwise you can always have half a dozen company directorships on the side which, of course, would never constitute conflict of interest. Oh and, of course, there are those with offshore hedge funds and non-taxable trusts …

It's wrong that ministers are always wealthy individuals. They are most likely successful financially because they are lucky enough to have good brains, and perhaps a good work ethic. And that is why and how they make it to the top politically.

absent Why?

I feel sure there is still a lot of guilt being felt by today's ordinary, decent, Germans.

What has overseas aid got to do with guilt? I thought we realised that the government gives for political reasons, and the rest of us give from compassion. I don't actually believe that there is no compassion involved with the government.

Someone's mentioned Nazis – end of conversation.