Election Year or Fear!

[MadAmster]

The hyper rich will prevail? The Czar thought so back in 1917. So did Louis XVI in 1789.

We are many. They are few. It's high time we reminded them of that.

Folk are starting to boycott US goods. That's good.

We should start boycotting newspapers to remind their billionaire owners that they need us.

We should all withdraw at least ?20 a week in cash from our bank accounts and spend it. That would be a good step towards ensuring cash remains a "thing" as, if we lose it, the banks and the government will know yet more about us and our spending and earnings. It would enable them to do things like taking VAT from 2nd hand things you sell. No more piggy banks for the fiver you give your niece/nephew at Christmas and birthdays. No more car boot sales. etc etc etc

Beggars would become a thing of the past as no cash would mean you've got nowt they want because, as we all know, offer to buy them a coffee or a burger and they're (most anyway) not interested. That's the one benefit I can think of for doing away with cash.

[Andy_Faber]

The hyper rich will prevail? The Czar thought so back in 1917. So did Louis XVI in 1789.

We are many. They are few. It's high time we reminded them of that.

Folk are starting to boycott US goods. That's good.

We should start boycotting newspapers to remind their billionaire owners that they need us.

We should all withdraw at least ?20 a week in cash from our bank accounts and spend it. That would be a good step towards ensuring cash remains a "thing" as, if we lose it, the banks and the government will know yet more about us and our spending and earnings. It would enable them to do things like taking VAT from 2nd hand things you sell. No more piggy banks for the fiver you give your niece/nephew at Christmas and birthdays. No more car boot sales. etc etc etc

Beggars would become a thing of the past as no cash would mean you've got nowt they want because, as we all know, offer to buy them a coffee or a burger and they're (most anyway) not interested. That's the one benefit I can think of for doing away with cash.

The difference between now and 1789 is that, in the developed world, even the poor aren't poor, that's why our countries are so attractive to those from the 'undeveloped world'. Yes there are hardships, but there aren't millions (again in the developed world) ****ting in buckets and throwing it into the street like 250 years ago. And the hyper rich are few, but the rich (therefore they'll side with the hyper rich) and the 'fat and happy' (who just want their easy life to tick along) are many so I don't think the melting pot has enough in it to cause revolution (in any direction)

Please make a list of US goods people are boycotting. I'm aware Canadians are boycotting USA as a holiday destination, the Americans I've spoken to are rather relieved, it eases the pressure on them! Not making a point, just interested

As for newspapers, does anyone still buy them apart from for the sports pages? I don't know anyone who buys one - I get a freeby with our groceries once in a while, that's about it. Tell a lie, the bloke next door buys one when he thinks he'll have one of his letters published! Ironically I'm helping a journalist to write a feature (for the Guardian!) at the mo (about music) and you came to mind wrt your interest in Northern Soul record collecting

The cash thing is simple convenience over tradition, although I am old school enough to still be using cash a lot and I think losing car boot sales with their illegally imported goods and stolen power tools would be a good thing.