Election Year or Fear!

[MadAmster]

So Trump says he "lost by a whisker" and "came up a little bit short" and when confronted with that claims "I was being sarcastic".

I sincerely hope I'm not the only one on here who doesn't believe him.

[Andy_Faber]

So Trump says he "lost by a whisker" and "came up a little bit short" and when confronted with that claims "I was being sarcastic".

I sincerely hope I'm not the only one on here who doesn't believe him.

my only query is did he just make it (the animal thing) up or has he seen a story buried somewhere from history, from elsewhere in the world, whatever, I’m not excusing him but I’d love to understand what goes on under that Barnet

[ramAnag]

my only query is did he just make it (the animal thing) up or has he seen a story buried somewhere from history, from elsewhere in the world, whatever, I’m not excusing him but I’d love to understand what goes on under that Barnet

Don’t forget that ‘Barnet’ covers where he took, in his words, ‘a shot to the head’, AF…or, as others might say…a highly suspicious and slightly grazed ear that appears to have totally miraculously recovered.
You’d have to be crazy to understand what goes on in there.

[swaledale]

I personally think it should be means tested. My concern is that while those most in need will get, what normally happens is you have that percentage of the population that fall in between, not able to claim pension credit but still struggle to properly make ends meet, it those where the concern is.

It's the lateness in the year that I don't like, those that have been expecting to be in receipt are being told at very short notice they won't get it, for those in that 'gap ' had they had notice they could have put a bit more away or topped up their DD extra through the cheaper spring and summer months. If the government had said we are removing it from next year or at least staggered the removal so it was only reduced slightly this year then fully next year.

It has been handled very badly, though I don't remember many pensioners protesting over things like 2 child cap on benefit, bedroom tax and the like so maybe its time the older generation actually had some pain?

Lets not forget that when Gordon brown brought it in, it was because the state pension was so low and inflation wasn't uprating it. Since then we have had the "triple lock" which has massively uprated state pensions. So means testing it seems a good move to me. BUT I am concerned that we seem to be heading for a repeat austerity orthodoxy, which history shows doesn't work as intended. There are many ways the funding gap could be bridged, revising Council tax so million pound plus properties pay more, 1% higher tax on the very high earners, capital gains tax etc. etc.

[ramAnag]

It has been handled very badly, though I don't remember many pensioners protesting over things like 2 child cap on benefit, bedroom tax and the like so maybe its time the older generation actually had some pain?

Lets not forget that when Gordon brown brought it in, it was because the state pension was so low and inflation wasn't uprating it. Since then we have had the "triple lock" which has massively uprated state pensions. So means testing it seems a good move to me. BUT I am concerned that we seem to be heading for a repeat austerity orthodoxy, which history shows doesn't work as intended. There are many ways the funding gap could be bridged, revising Council tax so million pound plus properties pay more, 1% higher tax on the very high earners, capital gains tax etc. etc.

Agree with that…and let’s also remember that as things are at the moment - and I know this could all suddenly change - our domestic fuel is significantly cheaper now than it was 12-24 months ago.

As regards the U.S. elections…is there a danger that Harris v Trump will soon turn into Swifties v Muskovites?

[SithHappens]

Now you see, unpopular opinion maybe, but I have no issue with the 2 child cap, having children is a choice afterall.

Most of the time, Ill health, getting old, losing your job etc isn't.

That said I don't know what happened when it was reduced to 2 children, I would say it should have only applied to new pregnancies/births and not existing families.

[Trickytreesreds]

Looks like the opposition leader is likely to be either Jenrick or Badenoch and I’d take a bet that Starmer will outlast either of them.

In the meantime…only seen the ‘highlights’, but maybe Trump’s new theme tune should be the Allman Brothers, ‘Ramblin’ Man’…great song, that I’m sure he wouldn’t get permission to use, but what a clown! As if his Covid nonsense wasn’t stupid enough he’s now surpassed even that.
More fitting that he should be sectioned than allowed to run for President…imo.

It doesn't matter who they put in charge of the Tories, until they change, between 4 million + voters won't return to them.
Starmer is doing the exact same mistake as them, being so arrogant as to not listen to the whole electorate and treating them with contempt.
Tick tock

[Trickytreesreds]

Now you see, unpopular opinion maybe, but I have no issue with the 2 child cap, having children is a choice afterall.

Most of the time, Ill health, getting old, losing your job etc isn't.

That said I don't know what happened when it was reduced to 2 children, I would say it should have only applied to new pregnancies/births and not existing families.

I concur. Having a large family is a personal choice. It is not the states job to finance your life decisions. Have as many kids as you want, but don't dip in my pocket to fund it.

Sweden made a massive mistake, paying more money to have bigger families. Unfortunately, they found that loads decided they didn't want to work anymore and just kept on having kids.

[MadAmster]

Maybe we should remember that Trump is a synonym for Fart so maybe we shouldn't be surprised at all the **** he spouts.

[ramAnag]

Now you see, unpopular opinion maybe, but I have no issue with the 2 child cap, having children is a choice afterall.

Most of the time, Ill health, getting old, losing your job etc isn't.

That said I don't know what happened when it was reduced to 2 children, I would say it should have only applied to new pregnancies/births and not existing families.

Take your point Sith. Shouldn’t tell Musk and Trump though…think they’ve got 17 kids between the two of them!
See Trump has said Swift will ‘pay the price’ (of supporting Harris). Bit sinister.

[Geoff Parkstone]

Might do the world a favour though if he eliminated Queen Swiftie

[SithHappens]

Might do the world a favour though if he eliminated Queen Swiftie

hmm a bit bad taste that even if said in jest considering the recent events here

[SithHappens]

Take your point Sith. Shouldn’t tell Musk and Trump though…think they’ve got 17 kids between the two of them!
See Trump has said Swift will ‘pay the price’ (of supporting Harris). Bit sinister.

I'm sure musk will be OK, he has afterall committed to spending 45 million month to support his pal trump

[MadAmster]

I'm quite sure Taylor Swift isn't worried about the price considering she's grossed in excess of $1BN on her current tour alone. Add in vinyl and Digital sales, income from streams on Spotify etc and youtube plus endorsements bla bla bla.

[ramAnag]

I'm sure musk will be OK, he has afterall committed to spending 45 million month to support his pal trump

In return for which Trump has promised Musk that he will head up a U.S. ‘Efficiency Commission’. Nothing like a little nepotism to grease the wheels of ‘efficiency’.