O/T:- Trump Presidency 2.0 [hic sunt dracones]

[SinceSept1959]

Thanks for your reply, obviously more respectful than others who have replied.
Different generations of course , but us seniors can remember when the UK was a sane , well functioning society, without depressing neglected infrastucture and services and no go

areas
Before the EU/EEC "con trick " with the subsequent pillaging of UK industry and punitive EEC diktats and legislation, which other states chose to ignore if they contradicted the national interest.
A time when there was no wholesale decay of infrastructure, services and institutions and there was a greater degree of social mobility through meritocracy rather than social engineering.
A time when there was full employment and a full time job enabled the purchase of a house , a car and a comfortable family life.
A time when just 3% entered Uni and the rest could expect to work a 40 hour plus working week for 50 years. Not the 25/25/25 years once quoted by Alistair Darling.
No gap years and straight into full time working 3 days after leaving school on the equivalent wage of 30 pence per hour !
A social contract to receive a pension at 65 after working for 50 years contributing to the pensions of those already retired, without any ageist rumblings unlike some today who grudgingly object to that principle.
A time when improving your status , meant night classes after work ,or day release for those more fortunate.
I note your point about younger generations "enduring life" post Brexit ,the converse being ,others have endured 47 years of the EU/EEC, during which time UK industries have been pillaged and our national interests playing second fiddle to the interests of others .
If someone has only grown up during the EEC diktat years , they won't be aware of life beforehand.

[SinceSept1959]

This is a joke ? Have you seen the age profile of Reform and Brexit voters. That's where the gullible are.

Another rude , opinionated, "entitled " ageist and bigoted Remoaner !
Whats age profile and Brexit got to do with my post.?

Profitez de vos cuisses de grenouilles.

[TheBlackHorse]

... what you Remoaners choose to ignore is that the Establishment did not want to leave the EU; which provided them with ongoing 'cushdi'. However, the great unwashed public wanted out, fed up of seeing the UK Establishment benefitting from the EU closed shop trough. Unfortunately for us unwashed, the controls - lefties and wets - were entirely in the hands of the Remoaners...fait accompli.
The truth is that, given half a chance, a good percentage of the leaver voters could happily imagine and support a revolution to oust the E; but we don't do that kind of thing here, do we. It's not a right wing driven goal, just plain common sense from ordinary people who have begun to despise the control freak E.
Government is too important to be left to politicians.

[Elite_Pie]

You seem to think that you are the only parent whose kids have ever been in such circumstances ?

I've never thought that or said that. It's just something you've made up.

So it's OK, for ignorant youths to harangue old people and blame them for all the ills that this country and what future generations will have to endure ?

I've never thought that or said that. Again, it's just something you've made up. You seem incapable of using facts, so just stick to your dreamworld and bigoted stereotypes.

[Elite_Pie]

No gap years and straight into full time working 3 days after leaving school on the equivalent wage of 30 pence per hour !

So what? I left school on a Friday in July 1970 and started full time employment the following Monday where I was paid less than 17p per hour. I didn't have to work for 50 years though, I did well enough to be able to retire aged 55. The concept of a "self opinated left wing troll" who worked hard will probably make your head explode!

I also mastered the basics of spelling, grammar and punctuation which you obviously didn't.

[BigFatPie]

areas
Before the EU/EEC "con trick " with the subsequent pillaging of UK industry and punitive EEC diktats and legislation, which other states chose to ignore if they contradicted the national interest.
A time when there was no wholesale decay of infrastructure, services and institutions and there was a greater degree of social mobility through meritocracy rather than social engineering.
A time when there was full employment and a full time job enabled the purchase of a house , a car and a comfortable family life.
A time when just 3% entered Uni and the rest could expect to work a 40 hour plus working week for 50 years. Not the 25/25/25 years once quoted by Alistair Darling.
No gap years and straight into full time working 3 days after leaving school on the equivalent wage of 30 pence per hour !
A social contract to receive a pension at 65 after working for 50 years contributing to the pensions of those already retired, without any ageist rumblings unlike some today who grudgingly object to that principle.
A time when improving your status , meant night classes after work ,or day release for those more fortunate.
I note your point about younger generations "enduring life" post Brexit ,the converse being ,others have endured 47 years of the EU/EEC, during which time UK industries have been pillaged and our national interests playing second fiddle to the interests of others .
If someone has only grown up during the EEC diktat years , they won't be aware of life beforehand.

Dont forget the Blitz and rationing youve missed those out.

[Lullapie]

Why do you think I should do research about New Zealand dairy farmers in relation to a discussion about trade between the US and Canada? Seriously, can you explain that to me in simple terms?

You stated as fact that Canada can import most of their goods to the US tariff free, while the US has to pay large tariffs to export to Canada. I think that's wrong, but if it's right, I would argue that it means Trump did a terrible job of his much publicised renegotiation of US - Canada trade in his first term.

I'm happy to read any articles you think are useful but obviously articles about New Zealand are not useful at all here.

You're sounding very narrow minded. It wasn't just NZ Dairy Farmers, but pushing your crazy rhetoric that you and others do, you are so one-eyed, it's unbelievable.

I was counteracting the lie that Trump is hellbent on punishing other countries with tariffs, when in fact, it is the other countries who have tariffs against the US (as well as many other countries in the world).

I gave an example, something of which you and a few other of your ilk are unprepared or unable to do. The example was how Canada had gone against an international agreement, which they had signed, and were now being pushed through the international trade 'courts' to force them to stick to the agreement they had signed.

The countries involved were the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The US! The country's President who you are berating for putting tariffs on other countries.

You sound like you are living in a very secluded world. Unfortunately, the World hasn't been like that for years. Countries have to 'fight' for their position on the world economic front by any means that they have at their disposal.

As I said, Canada has been doing this for some time and the US are well within their rights to take any action necessary to make Canada conform. There will be only one winner, I guarantee you that.

[Lullapie]

People have no idea what it's like supporting yourself as a student these days. Nothing is given for nothing, like it was 40/50 years ago when students got grants, you are paying your tuition fees and loans back for the rest of your life.

I have a daughter who has to work part-time to afford to study, even though we pay the full parental contribution of over 5 grand. She was in Surrey in the first year and had to work 20 hours per week, but for the second year even that wouldn't have been enough to pay the extortionate accommodation charges asked for by private landlords, so she's now at the University of Nottingham and works 'only' 12 hours. This is below the tax threshold, which is shocking, obviously.

My eldest daughter at least got a bursary for nurse training, doing a diploma, as did my wife. But the government did away with those and now you have to pay for the privilege of training to be a nurse. The only consolation is that in the end, you will progress in the NHS if you work hard, my eldest is now an advanced nurse practitioner in an A&E department, but the higher wages that go with the grade only attracts more jealousy, cynicism, and bitterness from a frankly miserable older population we have now. And I say that as one of them myself.

My son starts University this month. He has just turned 17 and has been working since he was 13 years old in hospitality. As he is only 17, he is starting University a year earlier than normal. He's no savant, but thought why waste another year in 'sixth form' if there was a way to start earlier. He went through that process and it means for the first six months of this year, he will have to double down on his studies.

The degree is an Honours Degree in Chemical and Process Engineering. It's four years of study, with placement of 200 hours each year.
If he passes his degree, he'll be 21 and as it is on the Washington Accord, the degree is acknowledged throughout the world, meaning he can feasibly work anywhere.

He is taking the student loan on himself, no worries, as well as paying for any additional extra curricular study, by himself, no worries. He is living at home during the duration of the course, but will drive to and from University each day, in the car that he saved up and paid for from his earnings, as well as its running costs.

As I said, he is no Einstein, but works really hard and realises that if he puts in the hard yards early on, it will pay dividends for him later on. He had no qualms about taking on student debt. My wife and I have done our bit by ensuring that he had a good school education (and by keeping him while he is at Uni).

Just to add, he is the first person in my family to go to University. We are not a 'must go to University at all costs' sort of people, but do understand that for certain professions, you can't get by without a degree. Although I am in one of those professions and I only have 'O' Levels, but seem to be ok at it.

The reason for going to University, should be, to set you up in life for a better career, which should also mean, more pay and more opportunities. In sight of that, those going to University should be prepared to pay for their education themselves, unless they have other family members or benefactors who will pay for them. If my son, gets his degree, then moves to Australia or the US to take up work, why should the NZ taxpayer pay for his tertiary education? Maybe 50 years ago, when many graduates stayed in their country of birth and education, but things have moved on.

[ThePieWhoCameIn]

Sorry, I'm confused about tariffs again. It seems that Canada is to respond to US tariffs with retaliatory tariffs of its own.

Why is that necessary if Canada already had tariffs on US goods?

I also note that Trump almost managed to admit the tariffs will cause 'some pain' (but it will be worth it in the end). I presume he means pain for his electorate, I doubt he'll feel anything.

Ironically, the only good thing that comes out of a global recession is lower consumption, which is at least better for the planet. Who knew Trump was an environmentalist

[ThePieWhoCameIn]

... what you Remoaners choose to ignore is that the Establishment did not want to leave the EU; which provided them with ongoing 'cushdi'. However, the great unwashed public wanted out, fed up of seeing the UK Establishment benefitting from the EU closed shop trough. Unfortunately for us unwashed, the controls - lefties and wets - were entirely in the hands of the Remoaners...fait accompli.
The truth is that, given half a chance, a good percentage of the leaver voters could happily imagine and support a revolution to oust the E; but we don't do that kind of thing here, do we. It's not a right wing driven goal, just plain common sense from ordinary people who have begun to despise the control freak E.
Government is too important to be left to politicians.

This is also confusing. You sound angry that you won and got what you wanted.