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[Steeled]

I'm not alone in believing that that would be incredibly stupid am I? The Scottish government could pay hobos to burn money in barrels instead of that and still come out on top.

[BlindKitty]

a basic income (to prevent people from needing to take a crappy job "just to get by", and to allow people some leeway in what they have to put up with. Being able to just walk away from a crappy job and not be destitute by next morning surely has to increase standards, if only so that the owner of said crappy business doesn't just run out of people willing to work there. Not to mention as a support system while you start up a business, and before it gets profitable, letting you focus all your energy on it)

Are you suggesting that Scotland should give all scots an allowance? Giving them at least the equivalent of a minimum wage job to live off of? Or am I terribly misreading you?

I think he is.

In Honor Harrington series the People's Republic of Haven went that way. It didn't end well. It didn't end well at all, and even while it lasted, it mostly lasted thanks to invading other rich planets and exploiting them. I don't see Scotland doing that. It's not enough to have some oil if you want to go commie utopia way, really. There is not enough money in the freaking world if you want to go commie utopia way, really.

[10ebbor10]

So someone wrote about it in a (Science fiction) book, and there it didn't work, so therefore it won't work in this world. Honestly, that is one of the weakest arguments I've seen. You do realize how silly that sounds do you.  I mean, you could only go marginally worse by citing Atlas shrugged as a source. (Actually, not sure about that.)

As for the communist Utopia system, it's in place (partially) in multiple nations, and could be extended easily. You all seem to mistake the fact that a minimum wage would be a comfortable amount of money to live on. (Hint: It isn't. Not even in socialist Europe)

[Guardian G.I.]

If I were you, I'd be careful when optimistically describing the economic growth Scotland will face after seceding from the UK. Nationalist activists and agitators in former Soviet republics (especially Ukraine) in 1989-1991 used to say that once they'll get rid of those Russians bleeding them dry, they'll live much richer and happier than in the Soviet Union. Their dreams didn't come true - the achievement of independence resulted in the economic links with other parts of the Union being severed and a massive economic downturn.
All those promises of economic growth proclaimed by the SNP remind me of the promises proclaimed by pro-independence activists in the former Soviet Union. You'd better be careful.

[10ebbor10]

Not sure if the comparison is entirely appropriate. After all, the Soviet republic split up was also combined with a doctrine change towards capitalism, which certainly didn't help.

But indeed, I'm not  so sure about Scotland's glorious future.

[Steeled]

 The Ukip leader says the ban on the guns, which were made illegal in the wake of the Dunblane shooting, was a "kneejerk" reaction and should be lifted

The Ukip leader has said it is party policy for hand guns to be legalised and licensed in the UK despite being banned in the UK for the last 18 years.
Mr Farage said the current ban on the guns, which were made illegal following the school shooting at Dunblane in 1996, was “ludicrous.”
Speaking on LBC Radio Mr Farage said that it was Ukip policy to create a “proper licensing policy” and that people who kept hand guns responsibility locked up and had were willing to get an official license should “absolutely” be allowed them.

Experts have said his comments were “stupid” and encourage an American-style idea that you and your home are only safe if you are armed.

Peter Squires, professor of criminology at Brighton University and a member of Association of Police Officer’s advisory group on the criminal use of fire arms said that Mr Farage’s comments were "irresponsible".

He said: “If public safety is a consideration then it’s a particularly stupid thing to say. It opens up the problem that we have almost dealt with successfully
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/ukip/10595087/Hand-guns-should-be-legalised-and-licensed-Nigel-Farage-has-said.html

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

[MonkeyHead]

Ah UKIP. Missing the point since.... well, forever, actually.

[Mictlantecuhtli]

Did he just do the British equivalent of throwing a chair?

[MonkeyHead]

Who? Farage? Nah, this will just reinforce the opinion that large parts of the UK already have - that he is a dick.

The gun thing is also only really a small part of an interview which raises other issues - mainly, that Farage has no idea of his own parties policies (some of which are batshit insane - uniform for taxi drivers, for example).

[WarRoot]

I'm not alone in believing that that would be incredibly stupid am I? The Scottish government could pay hobos to burn money in barrels instead of that and still come out on top.

It wouldn't be that stupid. One of the things cited in favour of it is that  there are a lot of people whom would and could benefit greatly from the social expenditures but simply don't apply for them and yes these people are from the poorer classes. It's not just free money on top of the current expenditures but rather a rebalancing of the social budget so that there's less bureaucracy involved.

[Owlbread]

I am going to be completely alone in here by saying that Farage, on that particular issue, is right and I agree with him to a certain extent. Handgun laws are needlessly restrictive for sportsmen. They should be able to hold at least .22LR pistols again on an FAC.

But the basic income thing you fellows are referring to is actually Scottish Green Party policy. They call it a "Citizen's Income". It's amusing though because for all the talk of Commie Utopias, every single one of the policies proposed by Descan are actually being carried out in Scotland right now. Only the Citizen's Income has yet to be realised.

I believe Descan was aware of this and was intentionally making a point along those lines.

[LordSlowpoke]

i'm going to need to acquire citizenship post haste then

how do

[Owlbread]

i'm going to need to acquire citizenship post haste then

how do

I can talk you through it, though I must warn you that free public transport is one other policy that was proposed by the Greens (formerly SSP) but has not been carried out yet. I believe though elderly and disabled people get free bus passes at least. I hope this will not affect your decision.

[Max White]

How much is the proposed rate?
Over here you can get about $300 a week allowance to live off, but there is a strong push to raise it...

[Owlbread]

How much is the proposed rate?
Over here you can get about $300 a week allowance to live off, but there is a strong push to raise it...

Fifteen grand a year, topped up after age 65.