can the UK regain the spirit which made it a powerhouse a long time ago?

Discussion in 'Economics' started by zdreg, Sep 3, 2011.

can the UK be an economic powerhouse again? ?n?

  1. yes

    4 vote(s)
    11.8%
  2. no

    24 vote(s)
    70.6%
  3. maybe

    5 vote(s)
    14.7%
  4. question is too philosophical to answer.

    1 vote(s)
    2.9%
  1. True, but many americans do not take additional vacation days and there is no statutory minimum in the United States. Many will either forgo it or convert it into pay.

    Many Americans don’t even take the few days off given them.

    According to a recent survey by Ipsos/Reuters, a whopping 43% of Americans don’t take all of the vacation time allotted to them. That compares to only 11% of French citizens, and 23% of Brits, who forget or decline to take all their due days off.

    http://my.telegraph.co.uk/expat/sebastiandoggart/10144391/america-the-no-vacation-nation/
     
    #21     Sep 4, 2011
  2. Visaria

    Visaria

    I can only assume Americans have to work harder and forgo holidays, not because they love their jobs, but rather to make some more money in order to pay off the rather large debts they owe to financial institutions.
     
    #22     Sep 4, 2011
  3. CrackPipe

    CrackPipe Guest

    i think you should skip embarrassing yourself.

    of course i was referring to commercial property and high value residential property around areas like knightsbridge, mayfair etc. the candy brothers have just developed the most expensive apartment blocks in europe. of course, someone moving in such limited social circles as yourself probably has no idea of where these areas are or their significance.


    the remainder of your questions will of course go unanswered as they so so obvious even someone of your inability should be able to struggle with an answer.
     
    #23     Sep 4, 2011
  4. #24     Sep 4, 2011
  5. Visaria

    Visaria

    Of course, you were! If you only said so in your post. Nevertheless, most property even in that area is owned by locals. If you wish to refute me then please provide a link to a reputable source.
    Yes, i assumed they would, simply because you have no answers!
     
    #25     Sep 4, 2011
  6. Saturday and Sunday are not factored as working days.
     
    #26     Sep 4, 2011
  7. Many UK families are also in debt.

    When you know you have for example, medical bills to pay for eventual medical care, you would work as much as possible. I am not suggesting that people should die because they cannot pay for it,

    However the other extreme leads to the UK model which saps the SOUL of an entire nation. You have essentially disincentivizedthe whole country. I don blame you, if everything is provided for , why the hell should you work as hard? Why would you try your best to innovate and create companies like in the USA( APPLE, facebook,etc.)? After all you just have to levy a 50% tax, and 20% VAT to pay for all your needs.
     
    #27     Sep 4, 2011
  8. CrackPipe

    CrackPipe Guest

    although you make some valid points, the last time i was in the uk, i had a different picture.

    i cant help feel but you are assuming the whole of the uk are lower class. indeed, id venture to say most of the us lower class are no different from your description - and a good deal of the lower class in any society.

    thats why they are lower class - they are too lazy to better themselves, and as you rightly say, would rather drink, loot, deal drugs etc.

    i dare say things were much worse for the lower class in the times of hogarth in the uk when the uk was near its peak (i think)
     
    #28     Sep 4, 2011
  9. Have a read at London Labour and the London Poor by Henry Mayhew.
     
    #29     Sep 4, 2011
  10. Visaria

    Visaria

    I don't disagree. If there is free healthcare, education then there is less motivation to do stuff. OTOH, we do have many startups which become world class companies (e.g. Autonomy), but not in the same numbers as the US. The US is far more entrepreneurial.

    Mind you, from what I read, the US has many entitlement programs too and plenty of taxes to pay for them!
     
    #30     Sep 4, 2011