Orwell Has Arrived: UK To Become Big Brother

[MercyfulFate]

In the UK we are sleep walking. We have a nation which is kept compliant by not being told the truth. We ignore massive debt, deteriorating public health, climate problems, falling educational standards. And yes we are gradually accepting the big brother state. Comrade Brown was the most prudent chancellor ever abolishing boom and bust; Comrade Blair saved us from all that work of having to vote on the Lisbon treaty; trust Comrade Brown to keep the benefit payments flowing. There's a story today about a council fining a woman for littering. Sounds fine until you realise that her crime was to allow her toddler to feed the ducks (caught on cctv).

We have a chance next year to replace our control freak comrades with a conservative government. My view is that the qualities the conservatives would bring are almost irrelevant. Rather they are not Labour. If we are to escape the imposition of a big brother socialist utopia we have to get shot of the present shower.

Pretty much all of that applies to the US as well. Sad.

 

[B_New End]

UK "to become" big brother?

The UK already has 14 security cameras for every person, almost every urban street corner has security cameras manned by government officials, yet the impact on crime has still been negligible.

 

[B_New End]

surprised?

YouTube - awareness test

and it's not about cyclists either.

that was awesome.

 

[SilverTrain]

In the UK we are sleep walking. We have a nation which is kept compliant by not being told the truth. We ignore massive debt, deteriorating public health, climate problems, falling educational standards. And yes we are gradually accepting the big brother state. Comrade Brown was the most prudent chancellor ever abolishing boom and bust; Comrade Blair saved us from all that work of having to vote on the Lisbon treaty; trust Comrade Brown to keep the benefit payments flowing. There's a story today about a council fining a woman for littering. Sounds fine until you realise that her crime was to allow her toddler to feed the ducks (caught on cctv).

We have a chance next year to replace our control freak comrades with a conservative government. My view is that the qualities the conservatives would bring are almost irrelevant. Rather they are not Labour. If we are to escape the imposition of a big brother socialist utopia we have to get shot of the present shower.

Interesting that in the USA we've been in the same boat with respect to the bolded portion of your post. And steps have been taken by the populace to wriggle out of those circumstances (vis a vis, election 2008) with a move toward what the conservatives here are now calling socialism.

Ah, labels. Anyway, empathy abounds.

 

[D_Kissimmee Coldsore]

We have a chance next year to replace our control freak comrades with a conservative government. My view is that the qualities the conservatives would bring are almost irrelevant. Rather they are not Labour. If we are to escape the imposition of a big brother socialist utopia we have to get shot of the present shower.

Do you think a Conservative government will revert us back to a less-suspicious society? I doubt that very much if I'm honest.
I'm graduating then going somewhere people still have some freedom. It might take me until graduation to think of such a place, mind you.

 

[rob_just_rob]

Sorry to be direct, but I want to know why the OP has any concern. you're in the group liberal's and progressives according to your profile. Liberals and progressives want as big a governemnt as possible. Total dependence on the state, no self-reliance. If the OP is upset by this then he should really re-evaluate his political beliefs. This is what will follow pelosi-care and obama-nomics. The post above this one is right, the governemnt must fear the people, not vice-versa.

What I found really funny in this post is the notion that if you identify as being part of a particular group, you are OBLIGED to toe the party line on every issue.

The complete misunderstanding of what the words 'liberal' and 'progressive' actually mean is secondary, in my eyes... we've all seen the hijacking of words many times before.

 

[B_Nick8]

Big Irish isn't very smart, is he?

No, he's really not.

FYI, and you can confirm this with Nick8 who has seen them, I have two bumper stickers on my car. The first is:

If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. - James Madison

The second is:

When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty. - Thomas Jefferson

Both men, it will shock you to learn, considered themselves, "liberals."

Consider it confirmed. I love those and am struck by the message every time I see them.

Oh, and with rare exceptions, the most intelligent people I've ever met have almost invariably been liberals. And I don't say that simply because I agree with them.

I
Ah, labels. Anyway, apathy abounds.

Fixed that for you, sadly.

 

[lucky8]

You guys all know Google's been storing your search records for years right?

 

[MercyfulFate]

You guys all know Google's been storing your search records for years right?

Yes, and that's bad enough. Your cell phone can also be tapped into at any time if they wish to do so.

 

[Qua]

I was listening to this song on vinyl at home (yeah, I'm a huge fan) and thought of this discussion going on. Such a warm pretty comforting voice and song, belying such an ominous subject

YouTube - Alan Parsons Project Eye In The Sky Teledysk

 

[midlifebear]

Sadly, I know former (emphasis on the former) colleagues who won't be happy until they get a micro chip implanted in their heads. They insist it would make their lives easier and their work more accessible. Why anyone would worry about "work" as if it were a luxury to be wallowed in -- especially when working for a large corporation -- is beyond my ability to imagine. But such folks exist (sort of, if one can call that existing).

 

[Big Irish]

I find it incredibly ironic that the op and I have the same sentiments. ie When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty. - Thomas Jefferson
This is on my den wall right next to my eagle scout award, and my US Army service ribbons. Only a fool would say that liberal then, and liberal now mean the same thing. Due to the fact that in their time overthrowing a monarchy, was a wee bit different than taking over 16% of our economy and changing healthcare for 94% just to cover the 6% without any healthcare. Plus, the CBO says that 25 mil will still be left out. I don't think Thomas Jefferson would recognize the US as it is today. But, if that is the stance taken, then you surely agree with George Washington's statement, "The very atmosphere of firearms refrains evil everywhere. They deserve a place of honor in our society."
Oh, to clarify, I don't care for either party. They both are beholden to wall street. They give us two choices, duality, just to maintain the illusion of choice. That illusion is kept in check by social issues, keep us pissed at each other so we don't pay attention to what is really going on.
If you really want something to worry about, look into the federal reserve, and its structure and oversight.
You also might look into China's reaction to the Universal healthcare attempt. It seems that their hard questions, may have led the pres to go on Fox, and say that gov't overspending may lead to a double-dip recession. I don't know about you others on here, but that gave me pause. Something about him having spent more in his first nine months than any other president ( in their first nine-months) in history.
I'm not saying that John Mccain would have been much better. But, it may not have happened as quickly, which, in retrospect, may have attracted less attention. Thereby allowing the damage to go further.
Oh and one last bit, Once universal health care is in place, how hard would it be to get us all chipped-up? The FDA approved the first human chip 2 yrs ago, it can hold your id, medical records, and even be you ATM card. Sound a little like the book of Revelations...Na-a-a-ah. Thats for them dumb conservative Christian types...Hmmm. Can't wait for the replies.

 

[B_VinylBoy]

There's a difference in being scrupulous and outright paranoid.
Some people's untrustworthy nature towards government in our country is more of the latter.

 

[b.c.]

Big Irish isn't very smart, is he?

Was wondering how long it'd take for someone to try to pin this (a particularly conservative forte') on "liberalism".

 

[b.c.]

...gahhh....

 

[jason_els]

I find it incredibly ironic that the op and I have the same sentiments. ie When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty. - Thomas Jefferson

I don't see why that's the case. Plenty of nations less socialistic than we are at all levels, have national health care in one form or another. The US is not the most economically free nation, nor is it the most taxed, nor is it the one with the greatest personal freedoms. In fact, national health care helps stimulate the inception of new businesses by removing a significant cost barrier to start-ups.

This is on my den wall right next to my eagle scout award, and my US Army service ribbons. Only a fool would say that liberal then, and liberal now mean the same thing. Due to the fact that in their time overthrowing a monarchy, was a wee bit different than taking over 16% of our economy and changing healthcare for 94% just to cover the 6% without any healthcare. Plus, the CBO says that 25 mil will still be left out.

Congratulations on your awards and thank you for your service.

I don't believe for an instant this is a perfect bill and I'm disappointed that it's not the complete overhaul we need. That said, it is a first step. We can always go back and change it later.

I don't think Thomas Jefferson would recognize the US as it is today. But, if that is the stance taken, then you surely agree with George Washington's statement, "The very atmosphere of firearms refrains evil everywhere. They deserve a place of honor in our society."

I believe that wholly and completely. I deplore laws that unreasonably inhibit law-abiding citizens from owning and carrying firearms.

Oh, to clarify, I don't care for either party. They both are beholden to wall street. They give us two choices, duality, just to maintain the illusion of choice. That illusion is kept in check by social issues, keep us pissed at each other so we don't pay attention to what is really going on.
If you really want something to worry about, look into the federal reserve, and its structure and oversight.
You also might look into China's reaction to the Universal healthcare attempt. It seems that their hard questions, may have led the pres to go on Fox, and say that gov't overspending may lead to a double-dip recession. I don't know about you others on here, but that gave me pause. Something about him having spent more in his first nine months than any other president ( in their first nine-months) in history.
I'm not saying that John Mccain would have been much better. But, it may not have happened as quickly, which, in retrospect, may have attracted less attention. Thereby allowing the damage to go further.
Oh and one last bit, Once universal health care is in place, how hard would it be to get us all chipped-up? The FDA approved the first human chip 2 yrs ago, it can hold your id, medical records, and even be you ATM card. Sound a little like the book of Revelations...Na-a-a-ah. Thats for them dumb conservative Christian types...Hmmm. Can't wait for the replies.

I think the federal reserve system is a complete mistake and so did Wilson himself. It was his greatest regret.

Spending is bad when we don't get value for what we've spent. I would have been perfectly happy to let the automakers, the banks, the insurance companies, and everyone else who got a handout, go bust. It would have been better to take the bail-out money and use it to help the line and staff workers in these companies with unemployment compensation, food, health, and retraining. If the top execs at these places got fired and could never get another job, it wouldn't matter much as they have the resources to retire if they need to. Not so the line workers who are a paycheck away from bankruptcy. As with national health care or public education, investing in our own people is the surest way to increase the prosperity of everyone in our society as it reduces welfare and long-term government dependence.

China is not our friend. They're concerned about the value of their T-bills more than anything else. They want America to continue their economic miracle and they don't care what happens to us in the process. I do.

 

[Ericsson1228d]

First socialized medicine and now this. I'm so glad Obama and the Dems are pushing us to be more like this country.

The terrorism suspects have more rights that the mass of the citizenry. Perfect.

 

[Bbucko]

First socialized medicine and now this. I'm so glad Obama and the Dems are pushing us to be more like this country.

The terrorism suspects have more rights that the mass of the citizenry. Perfect.

This topic is about the erosion of privacy and civil liberties in the UK: it has nothing to do with the US. Did you even read the damn thread, Skippy?

If the voices in your head are really telling you that terror suspects in the UK have more rights than the rest of Her Majesty's subjects and you believe them enough to post such a moronic statement, then a link to substantiate such nonsense would be nice.

 

[Ericsson1228d]

This topic is about the erosion of privacy and civil liberties in the UK: it has nothing to do with the US. Did you even read the damn thread, Skippy?

If the voices in your head are really telling you that terror suspects in the UK have more rights than the rest of Her Majesty's subjects and you believe them enough to post such a moronic statement, then a link to substantiate such nonsense would be nice.

I read the thread, and it reminded me of a very recent administration's actions to have "emails forwarded to us to correct misinformation," while collecting people's information from those emails. The connection is that both governments want to know what people's private communications contain.

So, there is the connection.

 

[B_VinylBoy]

I read the thread, and it reminded me of a very recent administration's actions to have "emails forwarded to us to correct misinformation," while collecting people's information from those emails. The connection is that both governments want to know what people's private communications contain.

So, there is the connection.

There is no connection, except in the feeble minds of people like yours that like to associate everything negative with everything "liberal". Please, Skippy...