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

[Elite_Pie]

On asking what was the occupation of the young guy and how much he paid in income tax ? , the young chap replied that didn't pay any Income Tax ,because he was a student and didn't need to work. Says it all really.

What a pathetic post, it says nothing at all and you should be ashamed of spouting ignorant generalisations like that. Two of my daughters were in similar situations when they were studying at Uni so didn't pay tax. Both did part time work while at Uni to give them a bit of extra cash but not enough to get them into the tax paying bracket. Both got degrees and are now NHS workers, one is an occupational therapist and the other is an infection control nurse. Both work hard and pay taxes as well as paying off their student loans. If either ever get to look after you, I hope you appreciate their efforts and show them a bit more respect than you have shown in your disgraceful post.

[Bohinen]

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.

[Med Pie]

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.

Some do, like me, who did a law degree aged forty.

My eldest daughter has a degree and is making a success of her life despite being saddled with student debt and my youngest, already fluent in three languages, will graduate in either Cyprus or Athens at zero cost.

[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.

[i961pie]

Luckily we now have semi-competent politicians in charge so fingers crossed things may improve over the next 4/5 years.

Did you type that with a straight face😂?

[keldsyke]

Did you type that with a straight face😂?

That post just reinforces his and the other far left?s belief on here that their emotions outweigh their balance in what they believe, to whats happening in reality. The blind leading the blind springs to mind.

[BigFatPie]

5 years nearly to the day since Brexit and the lads who backed it on here still think their political opinions are worth listening to.

[forwardmagpie]

5 years nearly to the day since Brexit and the lads who backed it on here still think their political opinions are worth listening to.

7 months nearly to the day since Labour won the election and the lads who backed them on here still think their political opinions are worth listening to.

[Elite_Pie]

7 months nearly to the day since Labour won the election and the lads who backed them on here still think their political opinions are worth listening to.

While I have no great faith in Starmer, calling the result 7 months into a 5 year term seems a bit silly.

[Med Pie]

7 months nearly to the day since Labour won the election and the lads who backed them on here still think their political opinions are worth listening to.

Or their promises, just been watching a vid where Starmer makes a promise, not to raise council tax if they get elected, just one of many, broken promises.

Where governments or politicians make promises which are the backbone of their election manifesto and they do not hold to them, there should be some form of sanction. They have basically lied to everyone to get elected. Say what you like about Trump, he set about implementing many of his promises on day one with a flurry of executive orders.