Where the foxes caper unmolested, the government packs your school lunch and Papa Gord will take care of you;
Across the whole of the UK, 49% of the economy will consist of state spending, while in Wales, the figure will be 71.6% – up from 59% in 2004-5. Nowhere in mainland Britain, however, comes close to Northern Ireland, where the state is responsible for 77.6% of spending, despite the supposed resurgence of the economy after the end of the Troubles.Even in southern England, the government’s share of spending is growing relentlessly. In the southeast, it has gone up from 33% to 36% of the economy in four years.
The state now looms far larger in many parts of Britain than it did in former Soviet satellite states such as Hungary and Slovakia as they emerged from communism in the 1990s, when state spending accounted for about 60% of their economies.
Is government too big? Depends how you look at it!
“It’s not that the public sector in the northeast is too big, it is that the private sector is too small,” said Malcolm Page, deputy chief executive of One North East. “The decline of traditional industries in the past means we need to establish more big private-sector companies in the region.”
Seems to me there's a book about that.
h/t Michael K.
A country cannot survive having too big a government and/or public service.
Keeping it very simple (in case any Liberals are reading.)
If John and Jane private sector earn $100. a week and each pay $50. to the taxman there is $100. in the tax coffers.
Then there is Bill who works for the public service, he also earns $100. and pays half back in tax. Now there is only $50. in the coffers to take care of government spending. Not a lot but the government still has money to spend.
Now if we add in George and Fred and Ethel and Pete to the roles of public employees all making the same and paying the same in taxes, we end up with a negative $150. in the tax coffers with no money whatsoever for government spending.
So, in this scenario governments must have deficit spending just to get anything done. If this is allowed to continue, the debt load becomes to great and the country will go bankrupt.
"If this is allowed to continue, the debt load becomes to great and the country will go bankrupt."
Funny you should say that...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/iainmartin/4295219/Gordon-Brown-brings-Britain-to-the-edge-of-bankruptcy.html
Bankruptcy or some limited default/rescheduling by the UK is a real possibility.
This is what happens when you spend AND tax, as opposed to just spend (like the US)
Neither are great, but one is preferable to the other. At the US can always raise taxes to pay down debt, the UK is so far out on the limb that there is going to be a reckoning like Ontario in 1994-97 or like the major review the federal government did in the mid 90's.
I just dont know if Cameron is the guy or if there is "mike harris" in UK politics that will shake it all. I suspect it will look more like what teh feds did, since the crisis will be apparent, as opposed to Harrises more premeptive strike.
If not handled correctly there is risk for some pretty ugly stuff. Prepare an extra room for your relatives from the UK.
And from Tim Blair, the UK nanny state taking away obese dogs from their handicapped owner and considering a criminal charge of animal cruelty against the handicapped owner who can't, you know, for obvious reasons, walk the dogs.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/4331467/Fat-dogs-seized-by-RSPCA.html
Excellent analysis, larqs. To make the bankruptcy go faster, as we see happening here, is the public employees, with benefits, average 30% higher than private industry's wages and with an exponential growth in numbers while private industry shrinks in wages and numbers. Not a good scenerio.
Watched the movie The Deal which is about the early days of Blair and Brown in Scotland. The deal was Brown's support of Blair for PM, which gave Brown the exchequers portfolio, and then Blair would support him for PM once Blair left. Don't think Brown did well from that deal. The movie was primarily based on historical fact with video of the best PM I have seen, Margaret Thatcher. These clowns including John Major couldn't carry her purse!
I recall posting a link to this article a couple of days ago in the overnight tips thread, and asked if anyone knew what the public vs private were in Canada.
There was no response at the time. Does anyone have that info?
One of my huge concerns, alluding to what Dave mentions, is that public pension liabilities (defined benefit) will have a huge shortfall in the future due to market conditions - and those liabilities will be topped up by those of us who have private pensions (defined contribution).
So, we will be doubly screwed - our private pensions have evaporated, and we will be tapped for public pension top-ups through taxation
The very basis of the debate is whether or not the public sector contributes to the GNP. My contention is that the public sector produces no contributing goods and services.
Pre Harris...55% of the Ontario's available workforce was employed in the public sector at some level. This left, in real terms, 45% supporting the rest----then factor in the unemployed and welfare recipients and somewhere about 33-35% (guess) supporting everybody....
"the government's purpose is to supply services to the public---not provide employment."
Bob Harris
"the government has a duty to it's employees."
Public servant's union declaration.....during their strike......
DHO (department of highways) contracted out highway maintaince resulting in better roads and less cost.....
This is just a step in the direction of a profound simplification of the tax system.
Line 1: total earnings
Line 2: total tax deducted
Line 3: subtract line 2 from line 1
line 4: submit the difference to the Receiver General
mid island mike
Along the lines of lori's question...Does anybody have any idea on what would be a good pulic/private sector ratio??Any research done on this??
And just to clarify my above question,I consider ALL union employees as PUBLIC sector.
Line 1: total earnings
Line 2: total tax deducted
Line 3: children's future earnings
Line 4: total lines 1 and 3
Line 5: subtract line 2 from line 4 or 3% of all assets, whichever is less
Line 6: send it to the Receiver General
or you could have the NDP's shortened version:
Line 1: How much did you earn in the last year? ____
Line 2: Send it in. ____
lori- I've tried many times to figure out the ratio of private to public employment in Ontario and Canada. It's impossible to find these figures.
The government web sites don't list all employees, especially those that are 'subsets' of 'subsets' so to speak, i.e., employed via outsourcing contracts but still, paid by the taxpayer.
From what I can gather, Ontario (and Quebec) are top heavy with people who are, somehow or other, paid by the taxpayer.
Essentially, as so very well described by Largs and others, we end up working for ourselves and others - and I'm not convinced that we are getting, so to speak, our money's worth.
Government bureaucracies are of poor quality, indifferent to the taxpayer, living in an isolate bubble focused only on themselves. Their level of authority (and interest) is confined only to the immediate form in front of them. Any question or requirement beyond that is of no interest. And even their knowledge of and involvement in The Form is inadequate and so often incorrect. That's why if you ask five bureaucrats for information, IF you even get an reply, the reply will be inadequate, irrelevant and often, contradictory.
Hayek said it well: The Road To Serfdom begins with an economic governance based around a government run central planning system which eventually leads to totalitarianism and the destruction of individual economic and intellectual freedoms.
when you pass 51% how the hell does you country survive. more parisites than producers.
"when you pass 51% how the hell does you country survive"
That's easy.
On the backs of your children, and your children's children, and your children's children's...
I think it's only a matter of time before slavery makes a big come-back.
When you no longer want your freedom, there are many who will be only too happy to take away from you.
That will fit the Leftist psyche well since the are always looking for the no responsibility life. That wish will lead to that end.
It starts by relinquishing your financial responsibilities, then responsibility for your kids, then for yourself.
I think we are already there actually.
"“It’s not that the public sector in the northeast is too big, it is that the private sector is too small,”"
About the level of puerile mentality you'd expect from some klepto-collectivist bedwetter.
The reason so many private businesses fail or don;t start is that the not-for-profit monopolist nanny state is in competition with them for market share you bolshi git!
After reading the article. All I can say is I wonder when they realise how long they have become serfs of the State. That they actually lost the cold war & have become what they loathed & mocked.
I bet Russia with China is less socialist.
Englad has adopted every thing from communism that destroys a Nation. Is it any surprise they are now a dead Country? How in the world will they make everyone a government worker, Because thats all thats left.
I'll huff and I'll puff and blow Gordon Brown back north to Kirkcaldy: JacK Straw.
...-
"Britain's first straw [hay] council houses to be built
The six semi-detached homes will be built from 250 bales and will be indistinguishable from normal homes because of their lime-washed walls.
The straw is so tightly packed that it pose no fire risk and according to designers, it can save householders up to 80 per cent a year on heating bills.
At £60,000, the three-bedroom properties also cost £20,000 less to build than a conventional house.
The first council to experiment with the ground-breaking designs is North Kesteven in Lincolnshire, although more are now said to be queuing up for details.
Marion Brighton, leader of the North Kesteven County Council, said she believes straw has massive potential."
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2173044/posts
I think it's only a matter of time before slavery makes a big come-back.
When you no longer want your freedom, there are many who will be only too happy to take away from you.
That will fit the Leftist psyche well since the are always looking for the no responsibility life. That wish will lead to that end.
It starts by relinquishing your financial responsibilities, then responsibility for your kids, then for yourself.
I think we are already there actually.
A very good friend of mine who emigrated from Canada to the U.K. in the mid-90s is returning to Canada in March. She is bringing her British, highly-skilled, physician husband with her.
I weep for her majesty's empire upon which the sun appears to be setting.
Wait for it. At some point down the line, there will be a motion in the British parliament to rename the nation the United Kingdom Emirates (UKE). I've already penciled it in in my atlas.
So what exactly will happen when the tipping point is finally reached? It seems that Europe has been heading down this road for many years, yet somehow they have managed to survive.
What will be the actual end result of these Socialist policies?
Apparently the soviet block or any of the despotic African marxists fate has yet to register with some people.
lori- I've tried many times to figure out the ratio of private to public employment in Ontario and Canada. It's impossible to find these figures.
It's not impossible....but the government makes a real effort in hiding it....
Employment by class of worker and industry (based on NAICS)1
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/subjects-sujets/labour-travail/lfs-epa/t090109a2-eng.htm
Public sector employment, wages and salaries, by province and territory
http://www40.statcan.ca/l01/cst01/govt62a-eng.htm
Ah, there is some hope yet for the UK. No thanks to Blair or Brown though:
"From: Maryam Namazie (m.namazie@ukonline.co.uk)
Sent: January 29, 2009 11:13:15 AM
In commemoration of International Women’s Day join the One Law for All organised rally, public meeting and art competition award ceremony on Saturday, March 7, 2009 in London.
This is your chance to voice your opposition to Sharia law and all religious-based tribunals in Britain and elsewhere, demand one secular law and full citizenship rights, demand an end to cultural relativism and racism, and defend universal rights.
On the 7th, meet at North Terrace, Trafalgar Square, 3:30-4:30pm for a symbolic demonstration followed by a march towards Conway Hall from 4:30-5:30pm.
Then join a public meeting entitled Sharia Law, Sexual Apartheid and Women's Rights from 6:00-8:00pm at Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4RL. Speakers include: Yasmin Alibhai-Brown (Journalist and British Muslims for Secular Democracy Chair), Naser Khader (Democratic Muslims Founder), Gina Khan (One Law for All Spokesperson), Kenan Malik (Writer and Broadcaster), Maryam Namazie (One Law for All Spokesperson), Fariborz Pooya (Iranian Secular Society and Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain Chair), and Carla Revere (Lawyers’ Secular Society Chair).
Prizes for our Art Competition will be awarded at the March 7 public meeting. You can participate in the competition by submitting a painting, drawing, photograph, animation or short video in digital format no later than February 27, 2009. The goal of the art competition is to expose the discriminatory nature of Sharia and religious-based tribunals and/or promote equal rights for all citizens, as embodied by the campaign's emblematic phrase: One Law for All. All submissions will be reviewed by a panel of prominent judges, namely, AC Grayling (Philosopher), Deeyah (Singer), Johann Hari (Journalist and Playwright) and Polly Toynbee (Writer and Columnist).
Also, don’t forget to donate to our organisation if you can. Any amount will help. The March 7 event, and our future plans for a legal and informational campaign, a speaking tour across the country, a mass rally in November and more all cost money. If everyone who supports our work and/or who has signed our petition (6,800 so far since December 10) gave even a £1, we would have the money needed to move this campaign forward.
We know we have a huge fight ahead and can only win if we do this together. We must mobilise a mass anti-racist movement that defends people's rights and lives and gives them precedence over culture and religion.
To donate, for more information, to download a leaflet or a booking form, or to sign the petition, visit our website: www.onelawforall.org.uk. You can also contact us via:
BM Box 2387
London WC1N 3XX, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 7719166731
onelawforall@gmail.com