Things that you are optimistic about with the new Tory government

I agree too, not one of their finer moments.

I am going to write to my MP to see if they will do a U turn on it.

I agree absolutely about the bedroom tax, nelliemoser, it's been an absolute shambles of a policy.

Nope - won't give it a rest rose . Quite who the hell are you to tell anyone what they can or cannot post about? Spoiling GN? For goodness sake - is GN such a delicate little flower that it can't support a whole range of boards? If you don't like a thread, you've got a simple choice. There is going to be plenty more of this as we move into the Queens Speech so as you love saying to us, get over it!!!!!

Grannytwice what on earth have I said to deserve that?? I never said anything about spoiling GN! You can post what you like (within the guidelines of course) - and you do! [ha]


I am sure that whitewave is not upset at my post - if you were, whitewave, then, like you, I made a cack-handed and sorry attempt at humour - apologies!

There is freedom of speech on Gransnet, but the ears of those listening do get rather weary of unrelenting repetition of the same message, and they too have the freedom of speech to point this out. It works both ways.

Ana That the real Anniebach has said she can afford it is quite beside the point.

The problem is not every one can afford it. It is piece of most poorly thought out legislation as the infrastructure of accessible single person accomodation is not available in so many areas.
I did state that my Anniebach was an hypothetical person.

If the gripes are to do with other than 'bedroom tax' and are down to her local council, I can tell you that anything to do with councils in Wales appears to be moving very very slowly indeed, at least in our area.
We, on behalf of the community, are trying to get something done on health and safety grounds and have been trying for months and months. The answer is a tentative yes, but so far we have seen no progress.

Yes, I did point that out, rose! Also the fact that she wasn't actually complaining about the bedroom tax...

I am not sure where the hypothetical anniebach lives, presumably from her name in Wales.

And quite a lot of the changes will pass us by as we have a Labour administration who are in charge of a lot of services in Wales but the reduction in housing benefit applies to England, Scotland and Wales (but not NI).

mollie65 I certainly don't want Scotland to leave the union - I think it is a wonderful country.

However, I can understand why Scottish people are now drawn towards independence, and more so since they were treated like the "enemy" - with distrust and disrespect - during the general election. I fear that the damage has been done and cannot be reversed.

I agree with your comments nelliemoser.

rabid right
Not me!!

Thatbags - pity the rabid right on GN don't believe in freedom of speech on GN. And you think that freedom of speech is safe with this Goverment?

Nelliemoser, I didn't read it that Anniebach's thread was a gripe about the bedroom tax in particular - she's quite willing to pay the extra. It seemed to be more about the grudging attitude of her local council towards her problems with mobility and their reluctance to commit themselves with regard to the removal of the shed door etc.

I don't know for sure, but as Anniebach lives in Wales, her local council is likely to be Labour run.

nellie kind and thoughtful words

mollie65 loopylou and others.

See Anniebach's Thread So fed up. Particularly read the issues about the difficulty finding one bedroom accomodation.

I will make our real Anniebach hypothetical for the moment.
Would you care to pass comment on our hypothetical Anniebach's plight with regard to that wonderful piece of Conservative party legislation which is the bedroom tax.

Put yourself in Anniebachs situation. Your mobilty is poor and for reasons known to most of us, you would feel devastated if you had to move from the friends you have had for years, to a more isolated village. Social isolation caused by moving people miles away from relatives and friends has a devastating effect on personal health and wellbeing.

Tell Anniebach (real or hypothetical) how you would justify this to her and other victims of that particular piece of legislation. Describe how you would feel if you were faced with having to move home under these rules.

I think this apparent lack of compassion about the circumstances of those people in this position is why, what you describe as "us lefties," are so concerned about the policies of the Tory government.

That and the promise of more such cuts to the welfare of vulnerable people leaves caring people feeling frightened about what is coming. Therefore no optimism anywhere here.

Just out of interest molly65 when you and everyone else are hopeful Scotland will get independence who are you talking about? Scotland or the UK as a whole?
I am ignoring the sniping everyone has the right to their opinion - for now anyway.

Far North - you have been very very naughty- I hope you are ashamed of yourself

Nope - won't give it a rest rose . Quite who the hell are you to tell anyone what they can or cannot post about? Spoiling GN? For goodness sake - is GN such a delicate little flower that it can't support a whole range of boards? If you don't like a thread, you've got a simple choice. There is going to be plenty more of this as we move into the Queens Speech so as you love saying to us, get over it!!!!!

mollie just seen this and OMG I am so sorry that my cack-handed and sorry attempt at humour has so misfired - please accept my apology for upsetting you and in future nothing like this will be said again I shall watch every word I say.

mollie I didn't realize you had an unselfish mode! How did it feel?
Are you asking mollie because you don't know how it feels whitewave?

I was quoting from an article I read, sorry!

It did say that people were fed untruths that they wanted to accept as part of an experiment. Then, when they were given the facts, although the original article/their beliefs had been corrected, they still maintained their strong belief. They refused to believe the correction. Fascinating.

Not sure that's a good choice of wording, janerowena - 'when someone has a strong belief, any attempts made to correct it...'

Rather like when someone on here said people should be made to see the 'errors in their thinking'!

No, they won't change, nor will You.

And this is why

youarenotsosmart.com/2011/06/10/the-backfire-effect/

PS Don't judge the article by its name, it's explaining how when someone has a strong belief, any attempts made to correct it, only reinforce it.

I think this particular thread was started maliciously by the OP, as a way Of stirring things on here to even higher and crazier levels.
I understand that all socialists ( and Labour!) voters on here feel very bruised after the election, of course, they lost,and a thread started by them to wonder why they lost it and what happens now etc would be natural.However, these many negative, sore loser type of threads, are getting unpleasant and ridiculous in equal amounts.As others have said already, it's spoiling G'Net. So give it a rest.

whitewave that was very personal and I was on the point of reporting the post but I suppose it made you feel better to accuse a fellow human being of having only a 'selfish side'. All of us wish that the vulnerable in our society who genuinely need help get more help but we (the taxpayer) cannot afford the current levels of handing out benefits to all and sundry who are able to get off the sofa and do a job and pay tax
of course I have an unselfish side - as I am sure you have a 'selfish side'
there I have descended to your petty level - so I will leave it there.

Sunseeker - I think the Lords position is much more nuanced than that. My understanding is that there are serious constitutional issues around changes to the HRA, EU and English votes etc that the Lords have locus in abd want to ensure a proper examination of any proposed changes. Whilst I would much prefer a democratic second chamber, I do think it's a good thing to have one which can stand back and consider things in more detail