I Don't Understand Why The Brits Think the "Crown Jewels" are such a BIG DEAL

[LOTW]

[QUOTE=Ian Gills;288341]I'm not sure it is LOTW.

It is easy to get a Government-paid education elsewhere and come here to find well-paid work.

Ian I appreciate your candor and ability to stir the pot. But where is your pride, man? As I understand your plan, it involves getting a government paid higher education in Great Britain, escaping the lack of opportunities and high taxes in GB by finding high paid work in the US, paying the relatively lower US taxes on your relatively high US income while not paying GB taxes,, and then at retirement moving back to GB to take advantage of GBs health system, etc when you have a lower income to be taxed. Am I missing something? Where is the honor in that arrangement? May I suggest that by having higher education in the US which is subsidized but which still requires sacrifice that we are instilling some sense of self-worth and pride? I mean no offense.

[Ian Gills]

OK, OK. We were too slow Ballvalve.

But Americans are too fast. You shoot first and ask questions later. Your police are a case in point.

So was Iraq (no weapons found) and look at what that has caused.

A lot of anti-American sentiment in countries upon which you are very economically dependent. Not to mention the cost of those wars and the large number of badly trained, but brave and well-equipped young servicemen you have lost. And the well-trained British servicemen we have lost.

Another mess caused by Bush.

The way out is as follows. Obama needs to keep chilled and reach out to the Muslim world, especially Pakistan right now.

And we need to start taxing the heck out of gas. That would encourage the development of green energies, lead to fewer greenhouse gas emissions, create American jobs and reduce your dependence on some of the most shakey parts of the world that you created by being too quick to shoot. By the way, I think I just answered why there are so many Americans here, when so few came over on the boat - too quick to shoot again, no doubt.

You just need to pay a little bit more at the pump to fuel the car or van that you own which is too big anyway.

LOTW, I like your posts. They are very clear. And I think you are on to something. I have followed some incentives with my choices. But honor has no part in it. And I am very surprised to hear an American refer to it. There is very little honor in America. It is all about capitalism. Sink or swim. Dog eat dog. An America with honor would leave no child behind. It would leave no person ill from not being able to afford healthcare. It would house the homeless. And provide generous benefits to the long-term unemployed. Honor lies in looking after those less fortunate than yourselves. And charity should start at home. I do not see that here. Yet...

But honor can be restored with a little bit more tax and a lot more entitlements.

[Cookie]

The only thing that still surprises me about people is the lack of compassion and heart, you never know when it could be you. I always ask myself this question, " how I would feel if it were me?" Get it?

[Ian Gills]

It's difficult to do that Cookie. The longer I live, the more I realize that we all face challenges at some time in our lives. Yours might be now or already happened. I've had mine and there are certainly more to come.

So to dwell on other's sorrow is not the answer. We must enjoy the peace we each have until the next trouble in our own lives strikes us.

The Government, however, is the answer. This is the institution that must step in when life hits each of us with an unexpected blow.

But in America, the Government sits idly by while the poor fall sick and the bright kids, who lost their father, can't afford to go to school.

It is not the responsibility of the individual to look after themselves. Nor that of their neighbor. Nor that of the church or charity. But the responsibility of society and the taxpayer.

Big Government is Best.

[Cookie]

That's bullshit.

You can say supportive words, it doesn't raise taxes either.

Cut the spending and lower the taxes, redo the tax schedule, there you go, Ian. That is a perfect solution.

and, hey when something good happens for someone, say, " good for you!"

Free, that is free. To care is free, no matter your challenges in life. I care, maybe, someday I won't, and be just like the majority of the people here.

[Ian Gills]

Paying lip service is the real BS Cookie.

If you really care, you must put your money where your mouth is.

That can mean charity, church or (as I prefer) taxes.

Why are people in this country so opposed to putting their hand in their pocket to help others through the Government system?

I don't want to hear Americans say they are sorry for the poor and the sick. I want to see them doing something about it.

[Cookie]

You have no idea what I have done with my life and the good I have done for others. I just don't need others to pat me on my back. Why is it what you consider the working (poor) middleclass you see as not happy people; yet, the seemingly, what you can call rich, are really miserable and full of complaints.

Again, your socialism sucks. Our country provides so much opportunity for all, that you and others flock to the USA to grab at it.

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." (Matthew 19:24)

[LOTW]

Quote "But honor can be restored with a little bit more tax and a lot more entitlements.[/QUOTE]

The problem Ian, is that you are more American than most Americans and won't admit it. Americans grumble greatly about their taxes, try to get them reduced to as little as possible, and then pay them, complaining all the while.

Your solution is to reduce your taxes to our level and then hold up Great Britain's entitlement system (which you refuse to pay for) as an example for us to follow. The concept of honor comes into play because some people find hypocrisy in your solution.

Perhaps the reason the Queen always looks so grumpy is because her subjects are taking advantage of her.

[LOTW]

Quote "But honor can be restored with a little bit more tax and a lot more entitlements.

The problem Ian, is that you are more American than most Americans and won't admit it. Americans grumble greatly about their taxes, try to get them reduced to as little as possible, and then pay them, complaining all the while.

Your solution is to reduce your taxes to our level and then hold up Great Britain's entitlement system (which you refuse to pay for) as an example for us to follow. The concept of honor comes into play because some people find hypocrisy in your solution.

Perhaps the reason the Queen always looks so grumpy is because her subjects are taking advantage of her.[/QUOTE]

[ballvalve]

"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination are omnipotent. The slogan press on has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race. No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave."

Quite a few Americans have been gifted with the understanding of honor. I would say the District of Columbia would rather qualify as generally bereft of the concept.

[Redwood]

The problem Ian, is that you are more American than most Americans and won't admit it. Americans grumble greatly about their taxes, try to get them reduced to as little as possible, and then pay them, complaining all the while.

Your solution is to reduce your taxes to our level and then hold up Great Britain's entitlement system (which you refuse to pay for) as an example for us to follow. The concept of honor comes into play because some people find hypocrisy in your solution.

Perhaps the reason the Queen always looks so grumpy is because her subjects are taking advantage of her.

Ouch! That's painful! But.... You hit the nail on the head!

[Ian Gills]

Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.

Just like the public workers in Wisconsin protesting for their right to collectively bargain.

I'm impressed. I didn't think Americans had it in them.

Honor restored!

The problem Ian, is that you are more American than most Americans and won't admit it.

Nope. I still struggle with the idea of an independent Republic here. Are you really sure this is not still a British colony?

Your solution is to reduce your taxes to our level and then hold up Great Britain's entitlement system (which you refuse to pay for) as an example for us to follow.

Nope. The rich pay more in taxes. No Bush tax cuts for them. And guess what happens when the rich do pay more in tax? Nothing much. Rich Americans aren't going to move if you make them pay a little more here either. They'll just save less. Which doesn't do anyone any harm. But more fools for you for listening to their BS.

[Cookie]

London tops world cities spending league: study

Looks like you guys got the money to spend, you people must be rich.

LONDON (Reuters) - London beat Tokyo, New York and Paris to be the highest grossing city for retail sales in 2010, according to a study of 22 major worldwide shopping destinations by Britain's Center for Retail Research.

The study, commissioned by online shopping comparison website Kelkoo, found London generated 64.2 billion pounds ($103 billion) of non-food retail sales last year.

"The key to London's success appears to be the quality and quantity of shops on offer, combined with the revenue generated by the huge volume of tourists that passes through," said Kelkoo marketing director Chris Simpson.

London's 26,000 stores house 138 of the world's 250 leading retail brands, compared with an average of 90 across the cities surveyed. It attracts around 14.1 million overseas tourists, some 4 million more than its nearest rival.

London was also the top city for internet shopping, with 9.9 billion pounds of sales last year.

Tokyo was a close second in the overall standings, with total non-food retail sales of 61.4 billion pounds, ahead of New York on 47 billion and Paris on 46.6 billion.

[Ian Gills]

Just goes to show.

Just because you pay a little bit more in taxes, don't mean you can't live a better life.

All those well-educated kids with access to universal health care get good jobs you see.

And that means shopping.

Give a little more. Get a little more.

America would be good to remember that.

[Cookie]

Hey, I may look stupid but I aint... yeah, they get good paying jobs here, in the USA and, then, spend the money back there! Try again Ian.