Saving Britain rather than the World

[rov1200]

Brown has received much criticism on how he is handling our faltering economy. Is there anything we can learn from this French revitalising package?


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7864942.st m

[jake-the-peg]

The first two look as if he is pretty much following Brown's lead.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/jan/10 /economic-policy-small-business-loans
http://money.uk.msn.com/guides/Your-Car/articl e.aspx?cp-documentid=13351625
etc.

As for the third do you think ploghing money into the post office would be appropraite here?

Let's be straight the criticism is mostly coming from the Tory supporting press who are desperate to try to make sure that Gorden Brown fails.

They have the luxury of being able to sit on the sidelines and criticize without having to actually fix the problem themselves.

The Tories seem to want to sit on their hands.

Even their own past economists ( who you'd expect to be reasonably friendly) are unconvinced.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/business-in-wales /business-news/2009/01/09/economist-prof-patri ck-minford-attacks-tory-economic-policies-9146 6-22649342/

Strangely I never saw this in the Mail or Telegraph

[rov1200]

You can be sure that the French will be mostly concerned with protecting their own country first. Brown is probably under the mistaken idea that the EU will all pull in the same direction but thats hardly likely.

Only today British car manufacturers have increased their prices, so much for a glut of cars in a recession. Just like the banks they are given taxpayers money and they kick you in the teeth. Surely the correct method to stimulate the economy would be to give the purchasers the government funds or loans and not big businesses? A consumer led recovery! Forget the 2.5% cut in VAT, most of which is absorbed by big business accounts.

You can bet that if the policies are similar the French will come out on top why we are still languishing with the debt hanging round our ears.

Whether you believe in Tory policies, most of Brown's initiatives resemble Tory ideas anyhow.

[rov1200]

You won't hear America saying they are trying to save the world.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7866308.st m

We should look after no 1!

[jake-the-peg]

Most of Brown's ideas resemble Tory ones ?

Like massive borrowing and spending?

What planet are you on?

There's a lot of guff being spoken about the 2.5% VAT reduction - but go and look at how much you spend in a year.

2.5% of that is not to be sniffed at!

Have you got a mortgage? With interest rates at the moment you're quids in!

How much consumer stimulation do you want?

Point is it's not to do with money in people's pockets it to do with fear - people are frightened of losing their jobs and until that fear goes away the economy will not improve

[craft1948]

No jake I don't have a mortgage - I unfortunately have savings

[DrFilth]

With interest rates at the moment you're quids out !


::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::;;

[jake-the-peg]

I have sympathy craft - but interest rates have been very high and borrowers have struggled and now the wheel has turned.

With the state of pension provision at the moment most of those of us younger than you (I assume 48 is your date of birth) may very well be in a far worse position before long.

Retirement may again become a luxury enjoyed by a few.

[The Sherman]

Also if you give money out to consumers then they're not necessarily go out and spend it are they?

Rich people will just take the money and save it!

No Labour government wants that!

[craft1948]

I just think it is so unfair. I struggled for years to pay my mortgage and save as well. Now I am supposed to be able to sit back and reap the benefits but it is just not happening. The only thing I am thankful for is that I was in a final salary pension scheme as how people manage on a state pension is beyond me.

[jake-the-peg]

You're on a final salary pension scheme and you've got the cheek to come on here and complain about interest rates!

And you're only just 60!

Precious few of us working now have such security - we'll have to make do with what we save and pray that the markets don't tank!

Half of my generation are likely to be looking for part-time jobs when we're your age!

[craft1948]

Well that certainly got you going Jake

[rov1200]

You may not have noticed Jake but when the Tories do suggest any way out of the crisis Brown latches onto it and makes it his own idea.

Initially Brown was going to pump �billions into building roads etc but only last week this was quietly ditched and we will use the hard shoulder instead. An urgent requirement is to fill in potholes but they can't even tackle these. My suspension is ruined!
Loan guarantees was a tory idea what Brown latched onto.
Brown like Blair realised you can't alter the status quo and has abandoned the Keynes philosophy.

You should judge a man by his actions Jake. You have had the wool pulled over your eyes by it all.
Banks have been bailed out but has the ordinary working man benefitted? Definately not!