Ladymuck

> Inequality for the business man has not been > considered, he has less power than his employees... I must admit that the outcome to the incident you describe does, prima facie, strike me as - at best - a little odd, and, at worst, contrary to equitable principles. However, you cannot seriously believe that an employer/businessman has less power than his employees - can you? Employment protection legislation exists for a reason: to ensure that an employee (the party in the weaker bargaining position) benefits from the most basic of rights and minimum standards in respect of his/her work. Any attempt to repeal it, would, in all probability, result in another Peasants' Revolt. Well, either that or a return to the days of slavery.

Good post Atticus(tu)

Well observed DJ. However, as an old and obsolete machine, depreciation will have taken its toll. In effect, he will be in no different a situation to our fiat currency.;-)

> There are many other types of economic system but > we are stuck with this one (based on capitalism, > fiat currencies and the creation of money through > debt via fractional reserve banking) until it > self-destructs... HAL, you have now got me thinking. I am curious as to what makes you say this. Is it that you believe inflation will sky-rocket causing our pound sterling to massively devalue and ultimately collapse, bringing the economy crashing down with it?

> When the cost of manuafacturing in those areas > gets too high for cheap exports, because people > expect better salaries and so on.....then what? HAL said something about the economy self-destructing...

Excuse me if I am missing something here. But, don't countries like Sweden, Finland, Norway and Japan have their economic systems based on capitalism too? And yet their citizens enjoy a much, much more equal/fairer society than we do.

Natural selection? Blimey, I probably wouldn't last a day...:-S Shall we just go for anarchy then?;-)

Another birthday - yay! It's the 11th here in NZ Lil Bro. Happy birthday 2 U, Squashed tomatoes and stew, I spied a fat monkey, Who looked just like you. MWAH MWAH xx

A revolt LOL! Don't mind if this peasant jumps in... I accept that investment banks have, in the past, created - not insignificant amounts of - income for the Treasury's coffers in addition to jobs aplenty. However, I wholeheartedly agree with those of you who believe that such banks have, for too long, been given far more importance than they rightly deserve. This placing of them on a pedestal is completely disproportionate to their role and overall contribution to the economy. But what really triggers off my injustice button is the fact that all the while investment bankers continue to receive big bonuses and/or ridiculously high pay increases, the rest of us have to sit back and accept that, the major banks will not be permitted to collapse. As I understand the situation (I am happy to stand corrected on this as I am unsure as to whether I have actually grasped the situation correctly) this guarantee is, effectively, to be funded by the State. So, in 2011 at least, many hardworking UK citizens will watch the value of their wages shrink once again. More may lose their jobs. Those fortunate enough to remain in employment may have to accept freezes or cuts in wages, whilst the "really lucky" ones to actually secure a pay rise will, in all likelihood, receive something well below inflation. Simultaneously, some banking sector employees will continue to receive fat cat bonuses/increments in remuneration (as high as 40%). Those employed by the larger banking institutions may even enjoy a job security denied to the rest of us - at our expense, it would seem. Meanwhile, the gap between middle income and high income earners is growing even wider. Funny, when this thread first started, it was primarily concerned with the income gap between those at the bottom of the socio-economic scale and middle income earners. How many more destructive inequalities can our society endure I wonder?

> Who is going to competently run 'betting matters' > when you are away, I'd like to know? Ditto the 100s game...opportunist cheats like Narnia will have a field day.

I won't take the piss out of West Ham anymore...they aren't so bad really (I prefer them to Liverpool, Spurs, Chelsea and Man. City). *inserts tearful emoticon here*

Shut up you lot! I effing mean it! Oh Master Quids, please don't...:(

Happy birthday michelle-b. Wishing you a fantastic day. x

*Realises that brussel sprouts are actually a luxury in Singapore, so switches to flicking peas*

Well done for posting that tribute Mick Mac. I also wanted to do so - solely for Huguenot's education - but the internet access is so bloomin expensive where I am staying that, on attempting to download it, all my wi-fi credit got wiped out. Anyway, I love that clip. Narnia did in fact post it on the Football Focus thread a while back at a time when I was being overly petulant and protective of that multi-talented genius George (he wasn't called Best for nothing). I have watched it over and over again but never tire of viewing the skill on display. Overrated my arse! *throws soggy brussel sprout at Huguenot*

HUGUENOT! Now you've done it! George Best is my hero! Do you hear that?! My hero! He is solely responsible for my love of football and, to me, is the greatest player EVER! Oh how devastated I was when he left Manchester United. Overrated? NEVER! Not in my book.

Dickensman Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Thanks for that LadyMeadow, trust me I bathe every > day, but I decided to change my deodorant because > the one I have been using is now starting to react > and make me itch, so I thought it time to change > the brand. Hey Cheeky Monkey, you know I was teasing - right? Anyway, just thought I'd mention that you might have become sensitive or even allergic to the "chemicals" in "regular" deodorants. You could try using those sold in Health Shops (your nearest one would be Health Matters on Lordship Lane). They can cost an arm, a leg and a backbone though, but tend to do the job without any unwanted side effects (in conjunction with my yearly shower - of course;-)). Alternatively, there is a relatively chemical free one made by Maine (Sainsburys DKH sell it) which is very good (it is performing extremely well in 26 degree temperatures as I type). Sorry I was flippant earlier - I should have responded seriously. LadyMeadow.

I LOVE the EDF. Happy New Year Tarot.:))

LOL Quids! I call it the catalytic converter smelling place. But yes, in a couple of days...mmmmm...clears the lungs I hear... *breathes in deeply*

I cannot remember the exact quote (nor who said it) but it goes something like this: "Live every day as though it were your last... some day you'll be right". Makes me smile.

Mick Mac, try and get hold of Which's Best Car Guide for 2010. If it's no longer in stock in the shops then your local library should have a copy in its reference section (Dulwich Library used to stock it). Failing that and you have no other joy, PM me - I might still have back copies up in the loft. PS: you think a four door saloon car is normal? You iz well posh innit.

DJKillaQueen Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > LOL...yes but I do compensate by wearing very > expensive perfume.....(my footy gals can vouch for > that)....;-) Are you spraying that very expensive perfume under your arm pits?:-S Oh well, whatever cranks your engine I guess...or in your case, whatever tickles your fanny! Dickensman, sorry can't help you other than to say that a daily bath or shower helps enormously:)). And Narnia, fly spray? That explains a great deal...in fact, it's all starting to make sense now...

Dickensman Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Don't forget to drop in to "Napier" to see all > that Art Deco architecture. Nice to hear from you Cheeky Monkey. Happy New Year to you and here's to many a bargain for 2011. Doubt very much we shall get as far as Napier...to say we are taking it easy is an understatement. Still, there's always next time LOL.

katie1997 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Bonne annee ladymuck, hope you are both having a > fabulous holiday in beautiful NZ. > > Watch out for those geysers...xx Bonne Annee a vous aussi Madame Katharina van der Wotsit. I trust you had a good one, and here's wishing you all those things you didn't quite get in 2010 (and here's to no more COD BUGS!). Oh, and here's to much happy rice cooking - though this goes without saying, naturellement. A bientot. Bisoux xx PS: les geysers? Ah oui, demain je pense.

DJKillaQueen Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > The first alcohol to pass my lips in 2011 was > indeed a sambucca (four arrived at once). I just > got home from DJing though and am shattered. This all sounds pretty normal LOL. Were you dressed as an elf again? The first drink to pass my lips in 2011 was a pina colada...haven't stopped drinking it since...it's all Huguenot's fault...a shocking influence is he I tell you...quite formidable in fact...