Socially Acceptable Living Standard

[Tony Morcom]

It is so interesting sitting back reading all the posts on these forums concerning standards of today. It soon becomes apparent that it matters little where you actually live, we are all in the same boat, so to speak. Despite being 1000s of miles apart, Australia and the UK have exactly the same problems. In fact it probably doesn't matter where you live in the world. Yes, undoubtedly on the whole, you guys have better weather than us, although by recent experience, we are all seeing changes in our climates that make them somewhat different to that we were used to in the 60's. The bottom line is though, that's just caused by the earth's natural evolution. History proves that the earth goes through climate changes permanently despite the hype about global warming being caused by 'man'. Aerosols, cars and even humans to that matter weren't around when the last ice age occurred. Climates changed perpetually and no matter what, nothing we ever say or do can possibly change that.

We are all governed by people who were educated in just the same way as every other business man or woman. Business is about making and losing money. It is just a little more obvious when a whole country starts to go bankrupt. However, lets be honest, it has always been exactly the same throughout history. The only difference today is that it is more obvious to everybody because of the media. Successive governments through history across the world have tried, sometimes failed and sometimes succeeded, to run their country by implementing laws and rules as they saw fit at the time. Is that not the same as every other business in the world? In fact isn't it the same as every family. We all try to do our best according to the cards we are dealt. Some succeed, some fail. Its human nature.

As I see it, the one major difference today, is the immigration problem, which is rife across the world. It is simply the mass movement of people fed up with their lot in the country they were born in, trying to find a better life else where. They are actually doing something about their plight. Yes, we have the obvious fanatics who cause mayhem in their misguided approach to trying to solve problems, but then again that is just another example of human nature. We all get it wrong from time to time. Again throughout history there have always been fanatics getting it wrong in their misguided approach to life. Once again its the media who makes it more obvious on a daily basis. But, there again the media is just another business which just happens to sometimes make money and sometimes lose it through highlighting the rights and wrongs of the world as they see it.

I was watching a program last night about salvage yards and how they make their money. Watching one of the guy there who had just bought a load of reclaimed floor boarding for £6k and sold it immediately for £8k, and another one who was haggling over 13000 bricks at 75p a time, just brought it home to me what goes on. Last week the two companies were losing money hand over fist, this week they were on the winning side. Bottom line is that's business whether its the stock exchange, a car dealership, a shipyard, a sweat shop, a pub or a country, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Again isn't that life? Think back to when you go on holiday. Sometimes the weather is good sometimes its bad ~ its just the luck of the draw.

Now maybe I am just being naive and somewhat simplistic in my perspective. Some may agree some may disagree. I am just putting forward for discussion how I see it. Please lets keep 'religious' specifics and racism out of this one, although once again isn't that all just more examples of business's succeeding and failing. Personally I don't care what colour a person's skin is, what language they speak or what religion they follow. We are all human beings trying to live our lives according to the circumstances of the time and our own beliefs be they right or wrong ~ according to others. This subject is about life as a whole and us trying, individually and collectively to live it in the short time we have left. As per usual these are just my views and I look forward to hearing the perspective of others.

[Les Woodard]

Personally I think it is time we let go of the reins and let the next generation take over so that we can sit back and enjoy what we have left. I am buggered if I am going to waste what time is left trying to change something that has been going on far longer than I can recall. Surely they can not bugger it up before our time though they are giving it a good shot. I want to be nailed in with a smile on my gob that Mr Sheen can not wipe of.

[Capt Bill Davies]

All good posts but getting to the thread title. Who determines what is acceptable and in which environment. Here in Shropshire there are many who are happy with their lot but would appear to fall short of 'acceptable' standards else in UK. The 4 x 4s are driven by farmers who need them not as toys for their other half. Tesco/Sainsbury ?? Hello Harry Tuffin.

Bill

[Jim Brady]

Bil,I think that you will find that the figure was in fact,£38.500.Thirty Eight Thousand and Five Hundred Pounds.
Regards.
Jim.B.

[j.sabourn]

Tony enjoyed reading your feelings on the subject. I think most people think the same more or less. However we have all turned into a race of different people over the years, and peoples expectations of what they want and what they get are two different things. We were brought up to have to work before you could take anything out. This seems to me to have changed as to what you can grab and to hell with everyone else. I believe a lot of the worlds problems are the press and the convenience of communications etc. It makes me wonder how we ever survived without mobile phones, all one sees on the streets are people talking or texting to someone, this is not only the youngsters, the art of normal communication will soon be lost. Most of these so called refugees (illegal boat people) are now seeing how the other parts of the world live, and want what they consider their share, in other words they are not working for what the people of that country have bought and paid for sometimes with their lives. The argument out here is now (courtesy of the politicians) that it would endanger the lives of the crews of navy vessels in turning the boats back. If this is the case and the Australian Navy are scared to do this, then I cant see the point in having a Navy. The Navy the same as the Defence forces are to protect our borders, more so than fighting other peoples wars. If any sailor does not want to do this, I suggest he should leave the Defence Forces. After the Falklands war as I have said I was in close contact with a lot of personel, a lot of what people read in the press was hogwash, I personally sat in a bar in Portsmouth with some Navy personell their only objective was to get out of the service, as according to them they hadnt signed up for that. These were in the extreme minority, as most did what was expected of them and far above in many cases. You will see the same arguments here when/if the order is given to turn the boats. That is if any politician has the guts to do it, will be more worried about his own future and pension. Cheers John Sabourn

[Capt Bill Davies]

I think £38500.00 is what I wrote Jim.

Brgds

Bill

[Gulliver]

Hear Hear ! Tony Well said ! clap hands.gif Never have I felt so in tune with anybody ,they are exactly my views.
I wasn't going to reply ,thinking what's the use,nobody will listen,as most people,especially in U.K.are thinking of only Me,Me,ME ! and feeling sorry for themselves and their families plight.I’m always amazed at the negativity of (many’if not the majority) of we Brits. Being low key and appearing to be unhappy and depressed is ,I’m sure you’ll agree part of the British psyche., and we’re good at showing this side of us to the world,which does us no good image-wise.

There is no other place I would rather live in than U.K.; and I have seen many countries in 20 years at sea, and worked and lived 10 years in London, where,even there,I felt safe.

Now I live in middle England-Worcestershire. in a small Georgian town 150 miles from London. Pop.11,000,though doubled in summer by the very welcome tourists.The only foreigners are the proprietors and staff of the local restaurants.Otherwise one rarely sees a person of different complexion or speaking in a foreign language walking down the street. It might as well be another country. Crime is minimal,most of us own our own homes,having worked hard for it over the years.
I do feel sorry for those who economically have to live in cities,but can not feel any sympathy for those who have the means to choose to live elsewhere and perhaps improve their lives,but don't,instead remaining there and of whingeing and blaming immigrants and governments for their plight.They don't want to help themselves.

Re Governments and we Brits. For decades there has been a poor turn out at the polls,typically 30%.Now if people can't even be bothered to vote(and these days with postal votes you don't even have to leave your armchair)then we're going to get the government we deserve.No use whingeing afterwards.It amazes me.
I read the newspaper-I said newspaper in the singular-as the only one worth reading for it's unbiased views and reportage is the Independent, and,of course I'm bombarded with up-to-the minute news coverage by the internet and media,so I'm well aware of what's going on in Britain and the world.
I have enough to live on-I am 60 living on my two occupational pensions-which I can tell you falls far far short of that remarkable figure bandied about by that survey Sure,when I reach 65 I’ll also receive my state pension which I contributed to for over 40 years-yesit will be taxed-but I’ll still be receiving enough to live on comfortably until my death-and still have money to afford a few luxuries.

My family may even receive a modest legacy-but if they don't( then like myself,who never received one either) they won't starve,they'll make their own way in life,it's human instinct.Life has always been a challenge since Day 1,come recessions,wars,governments,natural disasters..

Just how much money do people need to be happy?
Many people are too busy watching what others have and wanting and indeed expecting the same.Children and grandchildren especially are growing up ‘unhappy’,blaming all their woes on their parents or successive governments. We Brits ,once being thought of charmingly naturally self-deprecating,are in danger of committing mass suicide,lemming-like,off Beachy Head if things are as bad as what the media portray to this country(and more damagingly,to the world.
　
The fact is,if you have little money or paltry pension then you are going to be depressed and unhappy anywhere in the world.

Oh...and the N.H.S. The best in the whole world.O.K. enjoy it while you can,don't knock it's occasional shortcomings,and don't abuse it because you perceive it to have let you down., After all,why does all the rest of the world want to come here and enjoy it.?''

I'm happy with my lot.( I'm Certainly not on the amount suggested by the press). I am in touch with the world around me,yet I don't let it depress me.I am more depressed by the 'depressed' of this country and by the media who portray Britannica to the world as about to slide under the waves...


unionjack.gif

Gulliver

[alf corbyn]

TONY GULLIVER AND J SABOURN.

well said lads. three very good posts.

[Louis the Amigo]

Hi shipmates where can we get the £38.000 500? put me down for some please? can I have two ? that will buy a few more rums down the club ? Who makes up all this rubbish? we are lucky to get any penision in the U.K. The government is talking about cutting that??? in 2014 if in power? Captain Kong will the £38500 pay for your drinks bill in your private luxury care-home? Those swedish nurses dont come cheap, and vintage champain is plenty expensive with them to keep you busy you wont have the time for any visior

[Jim Brady]

Gulliver,Davey you seem to be very happy with your lot,in the main so am I,I am certailnly not living a miserable life.What I do like is a level playing field the gap between the haves and have nots is far to wide. I'l just take one part for now from your posting "We all own our own homes for which we worked hard to pay for". So tell me how do you feel about having to sell it to pay for your care in old age,surely you look at your home as something you want your kids to inherit.Somebody that has never worked and lived in a council house rent and rates paid for by the state and he gets his home care free,are you happy about that.Just as I am writing this I hear on the radio that the government now want to give pensioners loans to pay for there care,loan repayable after death!!!!.This will be known as the Universal Defered Scheme,how stupid do they think people are the home will still have to be sold to pay off the loan.
Regards.
Jim.B.