You're probably not a million miles off.

Well, I'll concede that it's not perfect but I worry more about the cure.....as they say, the difference between medicine and poison is often found in the dose.

I would like to go to the Grimsby match but while the boys are still so young it's difficult.

At some point though I'll buy you guys a tipple.

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

Well, there's only one of me. Again, the effects of too much Budweiser perhaps.

In any case, I shall look forward to that. Happy Christmas.

Kind of you to offer. However and to my considerable shame, my last trip to the home of football was more than a decade ago and I have no plans to remedy the situation.

(I'm also a desperate alcoholic and so I keep my consumption to the bare minimum.)

PS I thought your response on the subject of Soros was particularly poor. I'll respond in due course but now I have to take the dogs for a walk.

Edited by steve1984 (25 Dec 2018 12.15pm)

Boring in and of itself? That's good. I see that your criticism of Soros is reasonably measured and you're disinclined to demonise him.

So rather than bore you with an extensive reply I'll limit myself to the infamous run on the pound debacle which according to you makes him an arsehole.

You say that..

And then almost immediately go on to say..

There's a considerable contradiction in these two statements. Whether or not capitalism is the most successful system is subjective opinion, I guess it probably is. But irrespective of opinion, nobody can deny that it is the dominant force.

Capitalism is built on the principal of economic freedom. The freedom to borrow, invest, produce, buy and finally sell in a "free" market. So whether or not something is over or under valued is far from irrelevant. Rather it is one of the core economic principles upon which the entire economic system is based.

Calling someone an arsehole for being a successful capitalist is somewhat at odds with your description of capitalism as the most successful system we have.

Perhaps you see Soros as a kind of 21st Century mill owner? Exploiting his workforce and damaging the local environment. I get that. But then you go onto say that the fault lies (partly) in the absence of suitable regulation..

It seems to me at least, that herein lies the main reason we struggle to evaluate the economy through the prism of left & right economic theory. Regulation essentially acknowledges the fact that left to its own devices capitalism doesn't work in everyone's best interest.

The tories are basically capitalists and see themselves as champions of (economic) freedom. Socialists by comparison are the champions of fairness and regulation is one of their instruments.

Soros sits smack in the middle of these two conflicting political ideologies. On the one hand he's the capitalist's capitalist but on the other hand his USD18bn donations to various foundations, makes him the archetypal socialist.

At its heart, free market capitalism works on the principle that might is right. It promotes inequality and unfairness.

In attempting to deliver fairness, socialism places limitations on freedom.

My opinion of Soros is that I'm happy that the man recognises this contradiction. I'm happy that whilst working within the strictures of the existing system he chooses to give away his wealth to what he considers to be worthy causes. But in the final analysis he is merely a product of his (or more like our) environment. An environment that is long overdue a complete overhaul.

Edited by steve1984 (26 Dec 2018 5.00pm)

I'm not the bloody messiah but any fool can see what's wrong with capitalism.

The change from feudalism to capitalism wasn't led by some bloke saying "come on guys let's do it this way instead it might be better".

So the short answer is "I'm f***ed if I know".

But in order for it to be better, it will need to provide both freedom and fairness without the one being in perpetual conflict with the other.

But I think it's reasonable to suggest that the constant boom / bust cycle of capitalism, coupled with the continued economic exploitation of the world's finite resources and the damage that is doing to the environment will at some point lead to massive changes. Probably violent changes.

I doubt very much whether any of us will be around to see what happens afterwards.

you wot?