[Sid Squid]

Originally Posted by TamSV

I'm not sure Blair would honestly describe himself as a socialist.

I'm significantly more of a Socialist than Mr Blair is, and I'm pretty sure he'd describe himself as Waffen SS if he thought it would appeal to the electorate, politically speaking I also rather doubt he's too often troubled by honesty, and realistically has little or no personal political affiliation, whatever was the useful vehicle - as you so rightly say.

Originally Posted by TamSV

There's no doubt you're right that various incarnations of socialism have been perverted by selfishness, fear, greed and sloth but it's far from the only political system that can claim that.

Very true, but Socialism is doomed by it's very nature always to become 'socialism', and 'socialism' is the problem that has hurt us for the last four + decades with absolutely no hope of redemption or rehabilitation. At the risk of repeating myself, the thirteen vile, self serving, wasted years from '97 on may be the most extreme and obvious example of what Socialism inexorably becomes, but it's that only by degree, not fundament. It's the left that blights us now, and it's that which we must wake up to and deal with.

Originally Posted by TamSV

These are all very human characteristics and they are exactly what we've seen on the streets this past week IMO.

Human nature? Hmmmm... seems more Pavlovian response.

Originally Posted by TamSV

The narrative of this week from the right seems to be that the welfare state is the cause. The assumption that all the rioters/looters are in receipt of state benefits is made without the need for evidence. It may well be true, I've no idea, but it could well be the case. However, I've also seen the assumption that their parents must also be on benefits and I think that's a bit shakier.

The welfare state is not in itself the cause, the administration therof however has a large part to play. Are all the looters in receipt of benefits? I couldn't possibly be say. Look at if differently; are the looters, generally, in/from areas of our country where the local authority is Labour controlled, where unemployment is high and that 'socialism' has inculcated with feelings of absolute right, disaffection and resentment? That's not so difficult to answer.

Originally Posted by TamSV

possibly a liberal (you'll note the small L )

I did .

Originally Posted by TamSV

but I do believe in a hand up to the unlucky and the unfortunate.

Despite what certain people think of me, I too feel that a welfare system is a sign of a civilised and altruistic society, but let it be carefully constructed not to be too easy an option. Spoiled children's behaviour deteriorates - that's human nature.

Originally Posted by TamSV

I think that's what many Labour voters have in mind

Which is precisely what the charlatan left rely upon.

Originally Posted by TamSV

and that particular party is their least worst credible option.

But the reverse is clearly true, even if Labour weren't continually and intractably the victims of 'socialist' perversion, all there is after that is authoritarianism.

Originally Posted by TamSV

Policing is the other area where we may now swing too far to the right.

The Police are already out of control - the last thing we need is to bolster their sense of self-importance. The 'rioting', (it isn't), isn't the result of poor policing, but if there's little respect for the Police the blame for that lies squarely at the feet of the Police themselves.

Originally Posted by TamSV

These scrotes have always been with us and always will. They weren't created by socialism and they won't disappear with its abolition.

Created no, enabled yes, fomented certainly.