Bring it on Elon!

Personally I don’t think the demographic of GN can be described as predominantly left or right wing, judged on the threads. What is very evident from time to time (by the increased numbers of ‘new’ posters, on very ‘gentle’ threads) is that there are lots and lots of members who read, but rarely post. So we don’t know their views.

imaround

Just wanted to drop by with a quick update on how things are going in the US with Elon.

He derailed the US spending bill today. This will shut down our federal government until at least January. Essential workers will be forced to work without pay for however long Trump and Elon want to do this. The rest will be furloughed. At Christmas.

Hopefully the Republicans in Congress disobey Trump, but Elon has already warned them that if they pass the bill, he will use his Super PAC to primary them out.

He is literally threatening elected members of Congress if they don't do his bidding. They are beholden to HIM, not the people who elected them.

This man should scare everyone.

I also wanted to pick up on the post because it shows at least aspects of the true face of what we might expect of Musk and Trump, and this is the man who Farage wishes to step in and "assist" the Reform Party. Its not just the money, its the style of undemocratic threats and manipulation.

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

MaizieD

Jeanathome

Sure, lets add snowflake and woke while we are at it.

I beg your pardon?

What on earth do you mean by this comment?

I mean that name calling isn't helpful really. Especially "woke" which seems to be some sort of insult thrown at anybody who thinks and cares.

I am absolutely horrified at this thread. That we have come to this.Still I suppose it's entertaining to some, must release dopamine or something possibly.

imaround

Just wanted to drop by with a quick update on how things are going in the US with Elon.

He derailed the US spending bill today. This will shut down our federal government until at least January. Essential workers will be forced to work without pay for however long Trump and Elon want to do this. The rest will be furloughed. At Christmas.

Hopefully the Republicans in Congress disobey Trump, but Elon has already warned them that if they pass the bill, he will use his Super PAC to primary them out.

He is literally threatening elected members of Congress if they don't do his bidding. They are beholden to HIM, not the people who elected them.

This man should scare everyone.

Thank you for your informative post imaround. Can I respectfully suggest you might use it to start a thread and continue to post.

To pick up where FGT left yesterday:

"but with a slick, targeted, professional, patriotic (nope, not a dirty word keep up at the back) Reform Party UK"

Again, I find this vague "moving to the sunny uplands" sort of language without any substance the stuff of making empty promises

because I want to know what changes/policies on a large scale are there in mind? How would a Reform Britain tax people? What would happen to the NHS and Caring? What about schools? How would our pension system work?

Would Farage be prepared to act as Musk has just done, sitting down government to suit a ruling elite

I liked it FGT when you brought up an example (ie expenditure on interpreters) as it gave us a chance to actually talk about policy.

Hi Grannynannywanny

you wrote

Thank you for your informative post imaround. Can I respectfully suggest you might use it to start a thread and continue to post

But this whole thread is entitled Bring it on Elon

Not only that, but there have been many posts on relationships between the USA and the UK.

I think its entirely relevant

Wyllow3

Hi Grannynannywanny

you wrote

Thank you for your informative post imaround. Can I respectfully suggest you might use it to start a thread and continue to post

But this whole thread is entitled Bring it on Elon

Not only that, but there have been many posts on relationships between the USA and the UK.

I think its entirely relevant

Sorry my finger actually slipped and posted before I’d finished ! I agree it’s entirely relevant. My concern is this thread might be heading for deletion as it’s becoming rather heated and imaround’s informative post will be lost.

David49

Galaxy

I think it is part of the whole 'people who think differently to me' must be either thick or influenced by SM, AI, etc, it worries me. Presumably we are just as at risk from left wing trolls.

As we saw in the US election media influence can swing voters, most of us, including myself expected Harris to win, yet Trump won both houses.

Don’t expect any Left wing media to compete with right wing media, there are far more vested interests within the business community and they have all the money to pay for a media campaign.

Thankfully it didn’t affect the UK election because everyone had given up on the Tories, it’s the potential for media influence at the next election that concerns me. Musk could easily buy his way into UK politics

Thankfully it didn’t affect the UK election because everyone had given up on the Tories, it’s the potential for media influence at the next election that concerns me. Musk could easily buy his way into UK politics

I've thought about what you are saying David49.

One could almost say that Labour's victory was something of a fluke because, as you said, people had given up on the Tories. Or certainly some of the incompetents within the last crop that formed the government of the day.

And now the electorate is already fed-up with Labour. I can see what Labour hope to achieve long-term but I think they've made a fundamental mistake in not understanding the mood of the voting public who, basically (and in simplistic terms), are done with being told "jam tomorrow" - they want a bit of that jam today.

All the warnings of "difficult decisions", "it will be painful", etc, etc, have caused a general mood of despondency and 'belt-tightening', which has had a negative impact on the economy.

That's put Reform in an advantageous position - and then, voilà... Elon Musk enters from stage-left...

I think that everyone should question the motives of the world's richest man potentially donating a considerable sum of money to a political party - or in this case, company in the UK.

And it doesn't make you a "hater" or a 'woke-Marxist-leftie' if you do that.

MayBee70

nanna8

Right wing ? Gransnet? Am I living in an alternative universe? More lovey leftie I think.

No. But you are living in a totally different continent so I don’t really understand why you are such an expert in UK politics.

Like other posters who comment but don't live in the UK I believe nanna8 has family who do. She is allowed to express her opinion as much as any other, and I don't think she's claimed to be an expert. Are you going to call out any of the others or is it just those in Australia that should stay quiet?

Thanks grannynannywanny and wyllow, I agree that the post from imaround is highly relevant and informative to this discussion. Hopefully it won’t be lost.

imaround please keep posting - we need your invaluable insight🙏

LucyAnna2

Personally I don’t think the demographic of GN can be described as predominantly left or right wing, judged on the threads. What is very evident from time to time (by the increased numbers of ‘new’ posters, on very ‘gentle’ threads) is that there are lots and lots of members who read, but rarely post. So we don’t know their views.

I think the demographic of GN is probably centrist but they probably don't bother to post on N&P threads or, if they do, their posts are deliberately misinterpreted, twisted and made to seem more extreme than they actually are.

Who's the bloke in the portrait (I know I should know 😀)

If I ruled the world
Every day would be the first day of spring
Every heart would have a new song to sing
And we'd sing of the joy every morning would bring

If I ruled the world
Every man would be as free as a bird
Every voice would be a voice to be heard
Take my word we would treasure each day that occurred

My world would be a beautiful place
Where we would weave such wonderful dreams
My world would wear a smile on its face
Like the man in the moon has when the moon beams

MayBee70

nanna8

Right wing ? Gransnet? Am I living in an alternative universe? More lovey leftie I think.

No. But you are living in a totally different continent so I don’t really understand why you are such an expert in UK politics.

Perhaps for the same reason so many Gransnetters think they are experts on US, Australian, NZ etc politics? Even though they live in the UK?
I hadn't noticed them holding back on those subjects.

I think if anyone still has links to their country of origin those interests, concerns, are even stronger.

David49

nanna8

Right wing ? Gransnet? Am I living in an alternative universe? More lovey leftie I think.

Nanna, the reverse, GN is heavily left wing any targeted media trolling would aim to “convert” voters.

That's what nanna8 said

I think current Reform rhetoric is inviting us to sort of join a "belief system" not lay out for us in any way what the realities might be like.
It makes me very wary indeed especially because we have evidence of what Musk is like and what he is prepared to do.

I'm genuinely not sure that Farage even believes in our Parliamentary Democracy, as he hasn't really participated in it much.

For example: will he want control over our independent judiciary, as is already happening in the States and plans to take it further (although this will be fought).

RosiesMaw2

Suggesting FGT2 is a troll?

It was ridiculous, hence my facetious remark.
I hope it wasn't misunderstood.

Galaxy

I think the intolerant (those who dont understand why people think differently to them) leads to a divided society. People cant cope or understand people holding different views, even shock horror, right wing views. They will 'leave the country' following the results of a democratic election.

I can't get to grips with this 'tolerance of those who think differently from oneself' philosophy. Where do, say, paedophiles and murderers fit in? They certainly think differently....

I don’t know why there’s such a build up of expectations about Reform and Farage.
If Starmer gets the economy working again, that will reduce the numbers going to Reform. I think it’s upto the Labour government to get its ducks in a row. It has over 4 years ahead and a lot can happen in this time.

I didn’t think paedophiles and murderers posted on GN MaizieD

Although it is accurate to say that you don’t show much tolerance to those who think differently from oneself MaizieD Still there’s always room for improvement - New Year’s resolution maybe?

ronib

I don’t know why there’s such a build up of expectations about Reform and Farage.
If Starmer gets the economy working again, that will reduce the numbers going to Reform. I think it’s upto the Labour government to get its ducks in a row. It has over 4 years ahead and a lot can happen in this time.

It’s the fact that they got 14.3% of the vote, thank goodness we don’t have PR system it would give the nearly 100 MPs.
With a proper manifesto for Reform and big money to finance a campaign, the potential for holding the balance of power is real.
Without the money to back them they will be also rans

MaizieD

Galaxy

I think the intolerant (those who dont understand why people think differently to them) leads to a divided society. People cant cope or understand people holding different views, even shock horror, right wing views. They will 'leave the country' following the results of a democratic election.

I can't get to grips with this 'tolerance of those who think differently from oneself' philosophy. Where do, say, paedophiles and murderers fit in? They certainly think differently....

Are you saying those of us who don't think as you are classed as the monsters in your message. That is typically intolerant of the left. Vile thing to say.

ronib

I didn’t think paedophiles and murderers posted on GN MaizieD

I would certainly hope not!

Allira

Who's the bloke in the portrait (I know I should know 😀)

If I ruled the world
Every day would be the first day of spring
Every heart would have a new song to sing
And we'd sing of the joy every morning would bring

If I ruled the world
Every man would be as free as a bird
Every voice would be a voice to be heard
Take my word we would treasure each day that occurred

My world would be a beautiful place
Where we would weave such wonderful dreams
My world would wear a smile on its face
Like the man in the moon has when the moon beams

An artists impression of Trump. New style old boy network

And yes, thats the sort of sunny uplands impression they'd like to convey!