Jeremy

I'm going to buy this. Or maybe download it. Or maybe neither - not decided yet.

Yes - the same with MPs. The same with any job. If you think you could do it, and fancy the salary, then give it a go. See how far you get. The majority of course will get nowhere, as they won't have the right experience, training, education, intelligence, aptitude, or drive. I think it's a mistake to confuse arguments about base salaries with allegedly fraudulent expenses.

It's the market rates. It's what the job pays. Get over it. If the "average Joe" thinks it's too much (and that presumably anyone could do the job) why don't they give it a go themselves? Sherwick - actually yes, doctors and nurses leaving the NHS is a problem. Particularly nurses.

There was me thinking you were going to agree.

The BBC have to pay presenters in line with competitors, for obvious reasons. Having vaguely known a couple of people who have done TV and radio work, her salary certainly does not seem disproportionate. You can't use your base salary as justification for dodgy expense claims. (Saying that, I still firmly believe that all this expense claim stuff isn't as serious as many are making out).

Nick Ferrari is an arse (was about to fulfill Godwin's Law there...)

Apparently 92 is almost twice as much as 64. Except it's not. And even if it was, it's irrelevant.

Louisa Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > innocent christians such as myself. I like this bit.

Is he doing anything illegal?

I agree. And why was their car "stupid"?

Dick Van Dyke was good in that one where he had to fight the Muay Thai guy to avenge the death of his brother.

If you genuinely believe the ticket was given incorrectly, then there is an official channel to appeal through. But seriously, you shouldn't expect to get away with being illegally parked, even if it's just for a couple of minutes. Yes the traffic wardens are predatory, but they get paid on commission so it's basically in their job description. Either way, I don't think you're going to get a great deal of sympathy from your post.

By all means register a complaint, but I doubt it will have any impact. We live in a huge, crowded city with very old infrastructure (be it roads, tube, or rail). Generally we all just have to work with what we've got, and try to figure out the best way to get around. Try walking parts of the journey, trying out alternative routes, cycling, even driving.

???? Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > In terms of investments, as an example the FTSE > now is at about 1988 levelsish (someone look it > up) so you'd be a master of invesment to have done > as well as property has.........at it's peak > around 2000 the FTSE was 7000, this morning a > touch under 4500 You're actually a long way off the mark... 1988 levels were around 1800, it didn't reach the mid 4000s until 1997. But I'm not sure it's a valid comparison anyway, as investments equities and property are chalk and cheese, there are so many more factors to take into account other than just capitals gains. There are lots of good reasons to buy a property, but I'm not sure that capital appreciation is the best one.

Erm... Chicago - If You Leave Me Now I don't even know that song. Hmph.

AllforNun Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Why would they open a poundstretcher on Nunhead Lane Keef...... ? Phase two of the regeneration? (phase one was a lamp-post).

I think most people "upgrade" quite frequently in their earlier years, but settle down later on to ensure the mortgage is paid off when they retire.

Does this link yield anything? flickr.com/photos/marnova/91182155/ I can't access flickr from work.

If I leave mine in their natural state, they join in the middle into the aforementioned monobrow. Therefore a little plucking is essential. I stop short of fashioning them into a delicate arch. daizie - plucking nostril hair is OK? No it is not! I tried it once, it was one of the most painful things I have ever experienced. Nostril hairs should be trimmed. Again, I am not a vain man, but nobody likes a fellow with thick hairs like insect legs sprouting from his nose.

Personally I would not advocate all-night revision sessions. In fact, I'd suggest exactly the opposite, lack of sleep makes it impossible to concentrate. In addition to plenty of sleep, if you find nothing is sinking in, take time out to relax - go for a walk, go out for some lunch, see a film, go for a drink with some friends. Figure out what time of day you concentrate best (for me it's in the morning), and try to do most of your studying then. Make sure you eat properly. Drink plenty of water. Exercise, go for a run or to the gym, play a game of squash or whatever.

I'm pretty much in agreement with DC. Of course they should receive the expenses necessary for their job, and when I hear about most of these expenses, I just think... "so what"? The system needs changing for sure - but I would have thought that provisions for second homes were essential in many/most cases.

For most of these cases, I don't think it's an issue of integrity. It's a case of the job offering benefits which the public don't consider to be fair. Would you expect the MPs to return part of their salary because it's more than they need? Do you expect Gordon Brown to rent out some spare room at number 10 and return the proceeds to the public purse?

Firstly, we are not exactly talking about huge sums of money here. Secondly, if there is an expenses system which allows politicians to make these claims, then of course they are going to use it. This sort of thing has become the norm, they've probably come to consider it as part of their package. The system is to blame, IMO. What would seem fair to me would be a flat rate, perhaps depending on the distance of their constituency from Westminster. Or perhaps parliament should take on a block of serviced apartments in London, and eliminate second home expenses altogether.

By the way East Dulwich was lumped in with Kensington, I can only assume that this was written by a local resident with delusions of grandeur!

This is definitely happening. FACT. Costcutters is turning into Fortnum and Masons too (you heard it here first).