BBC Blog Network

User Profile

RetiredRay

Listed below are comments made by RetiredRay between Wednesday, 3rd September 2008 and Tuesday, 20th January 2009.

«Newer
Older»

Faith in banks 6:04pm on 20 Jan 2009 @ Post 258:

Go for it you have my vote. I couldn't agree more with your list.

Bring on the Election ..... can you give as good a speech as Obama , if so you are made for the job.
Lend, lend, lend 8:07pm on 18 Jan 2009 Well, there is now no doubt about it, Gordon Brown has quite definately taken us from boom to bust in spectacular fashion.

Our children will have to pick up the pieces for years to come and it will not be easy.

He argues that this is a world wide problem therefore not his fault. Well it may well be a world wide problem but it is his fault that we are so ill prepared, it is his fault that he failed to address the issue of spiralling debt, the lack of regulation, the fact that he was also allowing massive government spending before this mess started.

Hopefully one day soon we will get rid of his rotten government of incompetants and fools. Britain deserves better.

The only sound way forward i.m.o is a Government of National Unity chaired by Vince Cable but I doubt if it will happen unless we take to the streets.

So bring on the election!
2009 is payback year 6:29pm on 15 Dec 2008 Sorry to be slightly off message but a question for Robert.

So Mr Madoff through an American company has stolen £30 billion some of which was invested by our local authorities.... is it likely that Mr Brown will freeze American assets under anti terror legislation !! Or does he only pick a fight with small countries like Iceland ? I think I know the answer, do you?
2009 is payback year 4:30pm on 15 Dec 2008 The way forward - a National Corporate Bond ?

We clearly face a very serious problem and one for which there is no easy solution. If care is not taken, and it hasn't been so far, this credit famine will have a devastating effect on the companies that are our very lifeblood. This will, as you so rightly say, particularly effect smaller businesses if larger ones vacuum up the available credit through conventional corporate bonds.

There is a further problem; although corporate bonds currently offer exceptional value on traditional perspectives, they also have a high level of risk at present which is almost on a par with shares, and I for one have doubts as to whether he have "bottomed". We therefore need a different financial model, albeit on a temporary basis, which will allow pension funds and private investors to invest with a modicum of safety, and vulnerable companies to raise cash to see them through the crisis.

I feel we need something along the following lines :

- National corporate bond funds with a two, three, or five year lifespan covering a) small companies; b) medium sized companies; c) large companies;

- These to be delivered through retail fund managers at a low fixed charge;

- Offering a fixed interest rate comparable to Gilts;

- Bonds to be I.S.A. able and with at least the capital underpinned by HMG.

You may very well argue, that we already have an effective corporate bond market, which is true, but we are in exceptional times and if there is just as much risk in bonds as in the stock market everyone quite rightly decides that "cash is king".
Boom town in midst of looming recession 5:19pm on 25 Oct 2008 Ref: 05 akaDesiderata :

I read your blog with great interest and even called my wife to read it.

I could not agree more with your comments. It is something that my wife and I have said many times and that we feel very strongly about. That we admire the work ethic of many who come to work here but wish the we could be allowed and encouraged to be proud to be English and not have to compromise our beliefs and traditions to accommodate those of other races and beliefs who chose or were brought to this country.

The Australian Prime Minister was quite right when he said to those who go to his country " you are very welcome but these are our rules and beliefs, if you have a problem with them stay away or leave". As someone who has had the pleasure and privilege to visit many countries, including Muslim ones, I can honestly say that I have always respected that countries beliefs and traditions and gone out of my way not to course offence.

I feel our real problem is that our current government are so obsessed with their multicultural agenda that they cannot see that they are actually making things worse. Like you, I feel marginalized by what is happening.

I find it incomprehensible, that the Welsh and Scots can have their own Parliament and then be allowed to vote on English issues and furthermore, that our Prime Minister is Scottish and represents a West Lothian, yet denies us many of the things are are available in his own Country eg. free prescriptions, drugs, free higher education ... the list goes on.

One final point; I hear that it is now illegal to have the union flag on your number plate, we must apparently defer to Europe and have their flag. Yet more erosion of our Britishness !!!
Armageddon avoided 7:12pm on 08 Oct 2008 Well which ever way you look at it we have certainly gone from "Boom to Bust" under friend Gordan who spent so long telling us that it would never happen under his watch. Silly me, of cause it is not his fault it is everyone else that has dragged us into it. So now it is going to could well cost every adult in this country £2000 to pay for it all and even then it might not work !

Well lets be clear about one thing, before taxes rise and services are cut we need to get our priorities right ...
The Olympics can go for a start, it is not being financially well managed, is already over budget, and I am damned if I am paying for the Olympics Committee to live in our best hotels during a time of austerity.

Anyone agree with me?
Back to the future again 11:22am on 03 Oct 2008 Peter Mandelson: isn't this the guy that wasted a small fortune on that white elephant on the Thames - The Dome? And with the 2012 Olympics only four years away ...Heaven help us ...we really will be bankrupt.

Interesting though that he has recalled someone that could be a serious contender for his own job, and certainly someone who is a more effective communicator !!

Now that is a gastly thought; bring on the election quick.
Bailout failure shows Bush's weakness 9:22pm on 29 Sep 2008 While you all squabble and try to blaim anyone but yourselves can I remind you that Rome and the World are still burning.
We need a solution to the problems that started in your country through greed and avarice which you have exported around the World and we need it fast.
Being a UK citizen, I am not familiar with the finer points of your political and financial systems but I can recognise incompetence when I see it and I find it mind boggling that the Republicans are not being hammered in the presidential opinion polls as a result of the financial chaos, particularly when their V.P elect is so grossly inexperienced.
Gone 7:43pm on 16 Sep 2008 The Stock Market is in turmoil, the economy is facing it's most serious challenge for many years, M.Ps are revolting and being sacked if they hold a government position, GB is in denial of his shortcomings, things could not be worse on all fronts !

But fear not, there is now a light at the end of the tunnel of darkness. The government is going to start putting things right and I can prove it. Today a grand announcement was made which unfortunately did not make the national media.

Joan Ruddock, Minister for Wildlife has announced that she has granted legal protection for The Lesser Whirlpool Rams-horn Snail. This snail is only 5mm diameter and is found in the marsh drains of Norfolk and Suffolk. It can now have a secure future. One day we too will join this little fellow and have a secure future ... the government has made a start . You heard it here first !!!!
Energy companies turn up the pressure 3:35pm on 03 Sep 2008 Two phrases spring to mind both of which are appropriate to this government "Headless chickens..." and Corporal Frazer's "Don't panic......" , God help us because this lot haven't got a clue!

It has been clear for many years that we did not have an energy policy/strategy and what we are seeing now is the inevitable result .... a country heading rapidly towards chaos.

No clear policy on nuclear power and has already been said no attempt to fill the gap that will be left when some current power stations are decommissioned.

Building windmills will make a small contribution but is no real answer.

On top of that GB has been trying to play tough boy with the Russians who provide half of our gas supplies. If they turn the taps off to put him in his place, and who could blame them, we really will have a problem with Winter approaching.

«Newer
Older»

^ Back to top

BBC MMVI

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

BBC.co.uk

BBC Blog Network

Find and talk to the BBC's bloggers.

User Profile

RetiredRay