ARmy Rumour SErvice

**miles_gloriosus** · 27-08-2009, 12:08

From today's Telegraph

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/c...re-system.html

If ever there was an illustration of just how damaging Gordon Brown's obsessive power-seeking and Stalinist rejection of criticism can be, I think this is it.

**TalaveraTom** · 27-08-2009, 13:11

Browns biggest failure "WAS" the welfare state...Should that not read IS? He is currently still in the process of destroying the system as we speak. His disgraceful tenure as PM, will be judged when he and his cronies are ousted at the next general election...The problem is that there really isn't an alternative. Does anyone really believe that a Tory government will do any better? Or that a Lib Dems (stop laughing) have a chance of ever seeing government again?

I can't see a viable option on the horizon, and that is a major concern and just the way Brown wants it to stay

**miles_gloriosus** · 27-08-2009, 13:20

Originally Posted by TalaveraTom

Browns biggest failure "WAS" the welfare state...Should that not read IS?

Fair point. It must have been my overwhelming urge to only think of him in the past tense.

**Alsacien** · 27-08-2009, 13:20

With so many big failures to choose from, I would need to spend the rest of the week cross-referencing before I could agree.....

**Kitmarlowe** · 27-08-2009, 13:30

I've had said the Welfare State was Tony Bliar's worst political mistake ever. At a time when Neu Labour had the political support to start true reform, He completely and utterly bottled it, like a gutless little wannbe...

**johnboyzzz** · 27-08-2009, 13:30

Originally Posted by Mr_Deputy

It could be argued that BRITAINS biggest mistake was the welfare state. Its only benefitted the worst people from around the world and in many cases its no real benefit to them either.

It still is the biggest mistake and needs major root and branch reform, support those are do require help and get those the scroungers off it ASAP

**rockpile** · 27-08-2009, 13:32

100% with you on that Mr D. Our generous welfare state is the root of many other problems. Whoever eventually decides to tackle it will come in for alot of flak. I always thought that Frank Field knew what he was doing which is why he didn't last long under the Emperor.

**P2000** · 27-08-2009, 13:41

The fundamental problem is that the welfare state, and the NHS, are un-reformable because even where the public acknowledges that there is a problem, they refuse to accept any of the solutions. Trying to change anything is political suicide.

Sodding democracy... ;)

**overpromoted** · 27-08-2009, 13:45

So, is it called the welfare state because it's "well fair"?

**craign** · 27-08-2009, 13:58

The problem with the "welfare state" isn't its generosity, the problem is that those that know how to exploit the system get a good bit of cash (and other benefits such as rushed to the head of housing queues, etc.) while those that have no clue get pushed under by bureaucrats who see them as easy targets. A good few ex-squaddies fall into this trap when they leave, they get ground under by a system that just doesn't care.