English: George Osborne MP, pictured speaking on the launch of the Conservative Party manifesto for the 2009 European Parliament elections, at Keele University. (805×1207 px, 283,711 bytes) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
English: The Classic view of Saving & Investment. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Ideology of the three main UK parties, as defined by http://www.politicalcompass.org/extremeright (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
This is a very interesting blog from Rodney Willett, a retired school-teacher, married to a famous author and living in Devon, UK. It’s worth a read. Check it out!
George Osborne and the housing market | Rodney Willett.
Rodney and I both have a passion for politics and current affairs. Despite our different political views we find that our opinions are converging. I would like to dwell on this thread but before I do please open this link if you are interested in my political views.
For me, it’s a sad reflection on the major political parties in the UK and the Government in power when people of divergent political views reach consensus about economic mismanagement in the UK. It highlights how mainstream politics has become discredited.
Despite being a conservative at heart, I believe passionately in massive Keynesian investment stimulus to kick-start the economy. For me, UK Chancellor, George Osborne has been fundamentally wrong to stick to his plan A; austerity has been totally discredited – surely George gets a briefing paper or two?
On a wider generalization, just imagine if Democrats and Republicans tried a little empathy to understand the other guy’s views of the World?
Any thoughts?
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Dr Alf's Blog 
Dr Alf is right to say that we do not always agree. That is a good thing as it certainly makes me think harder about what I say rather than just sticking to a view come what may. The lady may not be for turning but I fear this man does that quite often when an opposing argument seems to justify a u-turn.
I have little faith in this governments ability to create a vibrant economic climate. Indeed I still feel that if we could manage very well with growth at somewhere between +1% and -1%. It is, I feel the extremes that cause most grief. It follows that I am somewhat against government trying to get into the business of creating wealth. That, I think, is the job of private enterprise. It is government’s job on our behalf to spend a reasonable proportion of that wealth to providing the services we all agree we need. So I am inclined to look away from the Treasury whose job it is to reduce the nation’s indebtedness and look elsewhere for a solution. We need to do far, far more to encourage the wealth creators. We need to look to see what red tape can be cut and where we can replace taxes on enterprise by other means. Some employees may be at risk under such a regime but nothing is perfect and the alternative is just as bad – high unemployment and the misery of living on benefits.
Rodney,
I share your views on the current Government’s ability to stimulate growth but otherwise hold a different view.
I do not think that economic growth is bad. It is fundamental to the capitalist model.
I accept the need for supply-side reform (red-tape) but much of this emanates from the EU.
Unlike you, I strongly favor fiscal stimulation, preferably in the form of massive stimulation in favor of capital spending; I also endorse public sector capital spending in properly costed and risk assessed capital projects.