A view from 'over the ocean'
Slap,
I'm not convinced a Russian TV interview is the best barometer of opposition to cuts in UK state spending and borrowing - from November 2010.
Whether the policy of cuts is best for the economy is a moot point, slowly the UK public IMHO are realising we cannot borrow on the scale we have been doing. The cuts appears stark, but amount to 3% of all spending. Allocation of cuts has meant some sectors are required to cut by 20% over the next three years, including law enforcement and a few have grown, notably overseas aid.
The interview did touch on one aspect that resonated the deep hostility to elected politicians, notably the Liberal-Democrats, who are the junior coalition partners, who before the election opposed tuition fees being increased (fees for university-level education) and then changed their stance.
IMHO there is an increasing disconnect between the public and elected politicians in the UK. The credibility of politicians has declined for years, which accelerated after the scandal of parliamentary expenses and their determination to pursue policies at variance with the electorate's views (on immigration, Europe, public spending, justice and hanging). Participation in elections has steadily gone down, with the exception of the last General Election I concede and political party membership has waned.
The political decision to support a few banks, then more, was a mistake and how the taxpayer spent bewildering large sums to support them evades understanding. Not helped by the now state supported, if not part-owned banks insisting on paying competitive bonuses.
Looking across Europe and reflecting comments here - on the USA - I suspect this disconnect and dismay over banking is a shared experience.
A view from 'over the ocean' Part 2
As upon request, a BBC News story, with the headline 'Steep' drop in public confidence in MPs, says watchdog' and it opens with:
Quote:
The percentage of people in England who think MPs are dedicated to working well for the public dropped from 46% to 26%.
The Committee on Standards in Public Life said its survey indicated concerns "with self-serving behaviour" by MPs overshadowed other issues.
It does have this, odd finding:
Quote:
The young, people from ethnic minorities and those in higher paid jobs tended to have more trust in MPs in general.
And a 'Trusted to tell the Truth' list:
Quote:
Judges - 80%
Senior police - 73%
TV journalists - 58%
Top civil servants - 41%
Broadsheet journalists - 41%
Local MPs - 40%
Ministers - 26%
MPs in general - 26%
Tabloid journalists - 16%
Link:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-14924465
A view from over the ocean Part 3
I'm on a roll here. This is a comment by a senior Conservative minister reflecting on the recent English riots:
Quote:
Whether in the banking crisis, phone hacking or the MPs' expenses scandal, we have seen a failure of responsibility from the leaders of our society.
Link:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14926322
Readers, especially Slap,
Are there similar public opinion findings regarding US institutions, as per my previous post?
Debt Loaded College Students
I am trying to find an article I saw on TV today that NYC Mayor Bloomberg is concerned over unemployed-debt laden college students. Thye have no job and no hope of a job but a lot of debt:eek: The restless youth in general is one of my main interest and it does not look good, but I don't generally at the same things most experts look at.
Link to one report.
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/09/...-remains-high/