[theid]

Originally Posted by GreatGodPan

What has purchasing power got to do with the class a person belongs to?

Nothing - politicians love to talk about "getting the economy moving" by getting people to spend (purchasing power). They can't spend what they haven't got any more since credit rules have been tightened up so I guess the economy will have to remain static - at least it will if you're relying on the 60% of the population whose income is £24,000 or less per annum.

[GreatGodPan]

Originally Posted by MartinP

Derogatory remarks stand alone regardless of who you think is to blame for the "plight" of the working class. To blame one group for the situation of another is far too general and sweeping a statement to be of any worth, IMO. It also absolves people from responsibility. But that's not unusual for some on the left who want to maximise their client base.



Plainly ridiculous to asset that human beings have no control over their future and ability to better themselves through education, innate talent, and drive.

And who is to say what culture is superior to another? Sounds very elitist.



I find this a very arrogant statement. Do you, as a member of the working class feel that you have not had a "socially and culturally fulfilled life"?
And how do you know that the majority don't have a socially and culturally fulfilling life? Based on what?

1. What derogatory remarks have I made? I am not in the habit of making such comments about victims.

2. Some have more control than others.

3. It is not a question of superiority, but of being educated to be able to appreciate all culures if one so desires.

At present, the focus is always on getting people educated so they can take up a job, whereas of course the main focus of education should be in educating people to achieve a very rewarding and culturally diverse use of their spare time.

4. I can't say. Who knows what I would be "in to" if I had been educated as above?

5. Please see 3 again. I would say very few are educated as they should be "culturally"- and that includes the standard, second-rate public school.

[Antisocialist]

Originally Posted by GreatGodPan

At present, the focus is always on getting people educated so they can take up a job, whereas of course the main focus of education should be in educating people to achieve a very rewarding and culturally diverse use of their spare time.

Which they'll have an awful lot of once they emerge from school proudly clutching their GCSEs in underwater basket weaving, Haitian face painting and conversational Icelandic.

[theid]

I'd be happy if they had mastered grammar, punctuation, English and rudimentary mathematics.

[paulschapman]

Originally Posted by Antisocialist

Which they'll have an awful lot of once they emerge from school proudly clutching their GCSEs in underwater basket weaving, Haitian face painting and conversational Icelandic.

Of course it costs money to enjoy culture - it costs money to go to the theater and the like - which kind of means you need a career that gives you enough to do so.

That might not be how GGP wants it - but that is what it is.

Education must prepare one for a career - that is why it is the first and most important step in social mobility.,

[Majlis]

Originally Posted by GreatGodPan

At present, the focus is always on getting people educated so they can take up a job, whereas of course the main focus of education should be in educating people to achieve a very rewarding and culturally diverse use of their spare time.

Well if they dont teach them to read and write to a decent standard they will be getting an awful lot of spare time..

[Welsh-lad]

Wow top 10% only earn 50k++

'only' £50k.

What is the average wages again?

[Majlis]

Originally Posted by Welsh-lad

'only' £50k.

What is the average wages again?

about £25k I think - does double the average wage make you 'rich' and a candidate to be soaked?

[Rooks]

Originally Posted by Majlis

about £25k I think - does double the average wage make you 'rich' and a candidate to be soaked?

That figure might also be influenced by London where the average wage is somewhat higher (but so is the cost of living).

[GreatGodPan]

Originally Posted by Majlis

about £25k I think - does double the average wage make you 'rich' and a candidate to be soaked?

Why? Has the coalition proposed plans to "soak" people who earn £50k p.a. then?

[paulschapman]

Originally Posted by Welsh-lad

'only' £50k.

What is the average wages again?

Depends on if you are including or excluding part time workers. Full time average wage is around £35K, including part time workers it is somewhere around £25K

[Lyricalis]

That figure puts me into the top 10% then by quite a margin. If I have to pay more tax so that others earning far less can keep more of that then I'm willing to do it. It will only be a temporary measure after all.

[ecco66]

Originally Posted by Lyricalis

That figure puts me into the top 10% then by quite a margin. If I have to pay more tax so that others earning far less can keep more of that then I'm willing to do it. It will only be a temporary measure after all.

How will it be temporary?

[TheEngineer]

Originally Posted by ecco66

How will it be temporary?

The same as income tax:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Income_Tax_Act_1842

[ecco66]

Originally Posted by TheEngineer

The same as income tax:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Income_Tax_Act_1842

Good point.

[theid]

Originally Posted by paulschapman

Depends on if you are including or excluding part time workers. Full time average wage is around £35K, including part time workers it is somewhere around £25K

Please let me repeat: 60% of the population earn £24,000 OR LESS per annum. Sixty percent!