Gordon Clown wades into the spending cuts debate
Discussion
Can you honestly believe the gall of the man. Tosspot.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11925014
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11925014
BBC News said:
Gordon Brown warns cuts are a 'great misjudgement'
The coalition government's spending cuts programme may be seen in future as one of the "great misjudgements of history", Gordon Brown has warned.
The former prime minister likened current policies to those preceding the global depression of the 1930s.
Mr Brown, whose book on the recent financial crisis is out this week, urged "more imaginative" proposals.
But the coalition argues the cuts are needed to sort out the financial "mess" left by the previous Labour government.
They say Mr Brown mismanaged the economy, building up a huge fiscal deficit that had to be sorted out to avoid the UK suffering the sort of problems Greece and Ireland have had.
In an interview with the Guardian newspaper, which is serialising his book, Mr Brown said spending cuts by UK and other western governments could adversely affect the skills and technology needed to win business in China and India.
The former prime minister, who has largely avoided the spotlight since leaving Downing Street in May, added: "As the 1930s showed, the economic orthodoxies for which people are feted today will quickly come to be seen as the great misjudgements of history."
Mr Brown, who is the Labour MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, has spent much of the past few months writing his book, called Beyond the Crash.
It calls for a global compact between the G20 nations - which include the major economies of Europe and North America and rising powers in Asia and South America - to encourage growth and create up to 50 million jobs worldwide.
Mr Brown wrote: "There is no comfort in the status quo. If, as I believe, the world's problems are structural, then we have to deal with them by major surgery, not by waiting for something to change."
He argued it was "difficult" for countries to reach agreement, but added that leaders had to work "in the space between the possible and the perfect".
Mr Brown also wrote: "Stronger, more sustained growth will not happen just by hoping for Asian consumer spending to rise. Nor from simply hoping for private investment to recover swiftly and strongly.
"It will require an agreement among the economic powers of the world, bigger, more imaginative and more lasting than even the Marshall Plan for Europe: a constantly updated plan for economic growth."
He added: "Such a plan will have to be accompanied by a constitution for the supervision of global finance, otherwise we will find ourselves in the same race to the bottom that characterised the past decade."
Mr Brown was chancellor from 1997 to 2007 and prime minister from 2007 until this May.
His book follows memoirs written by several other key figures in the New Labour movement, including Tony Blair and Lord Mandelson.
But Mr Brown told the Guardian he was "not interested in gossip" and instead wanted to give his advice on preventing a future downturn like that of 2008.
The coalition government's spending cuts programme may be seen in future as one of the "great misjudgements of history", Gordon Brown has warned.
The former prime minister likened current policies to those preceding the global depression of the 1930s.
Mr Brown, whose book on the recent financial crisis is out this week, urged "more imaginative" proposals.
But the coalition argues the cuts are needed to sort out the financial "mess" left by the previous Labour government.
They say Mr Brown mismanaged the economy, building up a huge fiscal deficit that had to be sorted out to avoid the UK suffering the sort of problems Greece and Ireland have had.
In an interview with the Guardian newspaper, which is serialising his book, Mr Brown said spending cuts by UK and other western governments could adversely affect the skills and technology needed to win business in China and India.
The former prime minister, who has largely avoided the spotlight since leaving Downing Street in May, added: "As the 1930s showed, the economic orthodoxies for which people are feted today will quickly come to be seen as the great misjudgements of history."
Mr Brown, who is the Labour MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, has spent much of the past few months writing his book, called Beyond the Crash.
It calls for a global compact between the G20 nations - which include the major economies of Europe and North America and rising powers in Asia and South America - to encourage growth and create up to 50 million jobs worldwide.
Mr Brown wrote: "There is no comfort in the status quo. If, as I believe, the world's problems are structural, then we have to deal with them by major surgery, not by waiting for something to change."
He argued it was "difficult" for countries to reach agreement, but added that leaders had to work "in the space between the possible and the perfect".
Mr Brown also wrote: "Stronger, more sustained growth will not happen just by hoping for Asian consumer spending to rise. Nor from simply hoping for private investment to recover swiftly and strongly.
"It will require an agreement among the economic powers of the world, bigger, more imaginative and more lasting than even the Marshall Plan for Europe: a constantly updated plan for economic growth."
He added: "Such a plan will have to be accompanied by a constitution for the supervision of global finance, otherwise we will find ourselves in the same race to the bottom that characterised the past decade."
Mr Brown was chancellor from 1997 to 2007 and prime minister from 2007 until this May.
His book follows memoirs written by several other key figures in the New Labour movement, including Tony Blair and Lord Mandelson.
But Mr Brown told the Guardian he was "not interested in gossip" and instead wanted to give his advice on preventing a future downturn like that of 2008.
t had finally f
The problem here is:
""It will require an agreement among the economic powers of the world, bigger, more imaginative and more lasting than even the Marshall Plan for Europe: a constantly updated plan for economic growth."
He added: "Such a plan will have to be accompanied by a constitution for the supervision of global finance, otherwise we will find ourselves in the same race to the bottom that characterised the past decade."
The idea that politicians wearing either blue or red ties can plan and regulate the market is plainly wrong. They may as well trying regulating the weather.
""It will require an agreement among the economic powers of the world, bigger, more imaginative and more lasting than even the Marshall Plan for Europe: a constantly updated plan for economic growth."
He added: "Such a plan will have to be accompanied by a constitution for the supervision of global finance, otherwise we will find ourselves in the same race to the bottom that characterised the past decade."
The idea that politicians wearing either blue or red ties can plan and regulate the market is plainly wrong. They may as well trying regulating the weather.
The elephant in the room - under the same big top as The Clown - is the phrase "economic growth".
What is not clear is how all global economies can grow to mutual benefit, in perpetuity. All governments want growth - it is, after all, far easier to manage than cost cutting and lving within ones (modest) means - and greater influence, sadly, I don't beleive it's posible for all to have it.
What is not clear is how all global economies can grow to mutual benefit, in perpetuity. All governments want growth - it is, after all, far easier to manage than cost cutting and lving within ones (modest) means - and greater influence, sadly, I don't beleive it's posible for all to have it.
Article said:
The coalition government's spending cuts programme may be seen in future as one of the "great misjudgements of history", Gordon Brown has warned.
Correction needed:
Gordon Brown may be seen in future as one of the "great misjudgements of history", the coalition government has warned.
The coalition government's spending cuts programme may be seen in future as one of the "great misjudgements of history", Gordon Brown has warned.
Correction needed:
Gordon Brown may be seen in future as one of the "great misjudgements of history", the coalition government has warned.
Digga said:
The elephant in the room - under the same big top as The Clown - is the phrase "economic growth".
What is not clear is how all global economies can grow to mutual benefit, in perpetuity. All governments want growth - it is, after all, far easier to manage than cost cutting and lving within ones (modest) means - and greater influence, sadly, I don't beleive it's posible for all to have it.
+1. 'growth' is the typically lazy politicians short term approach, way out of tough decisions, like competitiveness, and fundamentals.... Whether the global economy can sustain perpetual growth, which more less will be coincide or be dependent on global population continuing to grow, developing nations developing western consumption of resources, I doubt, with the pressure on finite resources.What is not clear is how all global economies can grow to mutual benefit, in perpetuity. All governments want growth - it is, after all, far easier to manage than cost cutting and lving within ones (modest) means - and greater influence, sadly, I don't beleive it's posible for all to have it.
Perpetual growth, or put another way 'banishing boom and bust' has been heralded before...
It's about time he lost his MP's pay:
http://newsnetscotland.com/general/1102-gordon-bro...
http://newsnetscotland.com/general/1102-gordon-bro...
article said:
The former Labour leader has been criticised after it emerged that he has spoken only once in the House since May's general election, has tabled no questions and made only five of the 131 votes.
And this gem:
article also said said:
It recently emerged that Scottish Labour are planning to give Gordon Brown a prominent role in the forthcoming Holyrood election campaign. Many observers believe that this is an attempt at combating the poor public profile of Labour’s Holyrood leader Iain Gray
Just how unpopular do you have to be to need Brown around to improve your image?!?Edited by chris_w on Monday 6th December 16:23
Some of the common features of descriptions of the behavior of sociopaths.
Glibness and Superficial Charm
Manipulative and Conning
They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors as permissible. They appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They may dominate and humiliate their victims.
Grandiose Sense of Self
Feels entitled to certain things as "their right."
Pathological Lying
Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities. Extremely convincing and even able to pass lie detector tests.
Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt
A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core. Does not see others around them as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.
Shallow Emotions
When they show what seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion it is more feigned than experienced and serves an ulterior motive. Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a normal person. Since they are not genuine, neither are their promises.
Incapacity for Love
Need for Stimulation
Living on the edge. Verbal outbursts and physical punishments are normal. Promiscuity and gambling are common.
Callousness/Lack of Empathy
Unable to empathize with the pain of their victims, having only contempt for others' feelings of distress and readily taking advantage of them.
Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature
Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as creating hopelessness in the victim. Believe they are all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for their impact on others.
Early Behavior Problems/Juvenile Delinquency
Usually has a history of behavioral and academic difficulties, yet "gets by" by conning others. Problems in making and keeping friends; aberrant behaviors such as cruelty to people or animals, stealing, etc.
Irresponsibility/Unreliability
Not concerned about wrecking others' lives and dreams. Oblivious or indifferent to the devastation they cause. Does not accept blame themselves, but blames others, even for acts they obviously committed.
Discuss
Glibness and Superficial Charm
Manipulative and Conning
They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors as permissible. They appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They may dominate and humiliate their victims.
Grandiose Sense of Self
Feels entitled to certain things as "their right."
Pathological Lying
Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities. Extremely convincing and even able to pass lie detector tests.
Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt
A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core. Does not see others around them as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.
Shallow Emotions
When they show what seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion it is more feigned than experienced and serves an ulterior motive. Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a normal person. Since they are not genuine, neither are their promises.
Incapacity for Love
Need for Stimulation
Living on the edge. Verbal outbursts and physical punishments are normal. Promiscuity and gambling are common.
Callousness/Lack of Empathy
Unable to empathize with the pain of their victims, having only contempt for others' feelings of distress and readily taking advantage of them.
Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature
Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as creating hopelessness in the victim. Believe they are all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for their impact on others.
Early Behavior Problems/Juvenile Delinquency
Usually has a history of behavioral and academic difficulties, yet "gets by" by conning others. Problems in making and keeping friends; aberrant behaviors such as cruelty to people or animals, stealing, etc.
Irresponsibility/Unreliability
Not concerned about wrecking others' lives and dreams. Oblivious or indifferent to the devastation they cause. Does not accept blame themselves, but blames others, even for acts they obviously committed.
Discuss
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