11 thoughts on “Questions & Comments

  1. Hello Marjorie,

    What’s actually going on with the labour party? Is there more to it than meets the eye?
    To start with, was it, is it, all really that necessary? Or is it more a personal power struggle?

    Many thanks.

  2. Thank you so much for your wonderful analyses. Do you think Jeremy c is on the verge of a breakdown? I have a lot of experience of helping people with mental health issues and I recognise the signs. Denial?

  3. Hi Marjorie,

    The London Review of Books took down the pay wall on this piece, because they realized people needed to see it. The author died in 2010. We need to be able to share it for educational purposes – because it helps make the issues clear.

    Essentially the Euro has structural problems in the design – basically not allowing sovereign nations to follow monetary policy to balance whatever is needed in their own countries – and yet, since Europe is not also a federation, no one in Europe is doing what they aren’t allowing nations to do on their own.

    This piece describes it so clearly – I’m sorry at least a few can’t see it here and spread it on.

  4. Marjorie and Greta, I agree I think you have to wonder if these things are sensationalised by the media to divide us. Although, I am one of the rare ones born in 1977*, there aren’t many of us especially compared to the post war boomers (which is probably why we needed immigration!). I voted remain, my 71 year old father voted leave, as did all of his siblings that are still with us. However, my in-laws, in their 60’s, came to ask us what we thought. They explained that our thoughts would influence their decision as they felt it would affect us more. I also know plenty of people under 40 who voted leave

    However, the morning after the result, I was chatting to a leave voter who was a school leaver in the late 70’s. They explained how they felt that their parents being on a 3 day week altered their course in life, how awful the winter of discontent was and their deep mistrust of unions and unelected power, as they see it. Obviously I have no memory of it so wouldn’t be carrying those feelings to the ballot box, nor would anyone under 50. Perhaps the more outer planet transits through cardinal signs you lived through, the stronger you feel about it? Who knows. I do think 16-17 year olds should have been included to give more weight to the post-Thatcher experience.

    We all bring different experience

    * http://visual.ons.gov.uk/birthsanddeaths/

  5. Thank you for all the Brexit stuff. Unfun it may be, but you add a fascinating context. To continue the theme, please would you look at the chart of Martin Schulz, my current bête noire. He seems hardline and dangerous.

  6. I so, do agree with you, Marjorie, about the energy being taken up by the sacrificial victim, the scapegoat. Our ancient forebears seemed to understand the gods needed propitiating! For some reason this little island has led the way or sacrificed its
    self time and again. I am anglo greek and proud of both my countries and their strengths and weaknesses too! E need to play our part on the world stage. bravely as we have always done. It would be ridiculous to re take the referendum. If the alchemy of this situation is seperatio snd solutio, then so be it. Things seperate and disoolve and eventually coagulate and all comes together again. We need to be a little mystical with Neptune in Pisces!

  7. Hi Marjorie, I thought maybe you and your readers might appreciate seeing this.

    A London economist, Steve Keen, was on the Thom Hartmann show, discussing the Maastricht treaty and suggested this piece in the London Review of Books from the period which is being appreciated anew. The Euro has implicit structural issues which are causing the problems, which need to be changed (Pluto) before anything will get better. People intuit this even if they don’t know the specific causes (see below). Since the powers that be wouldn’t allow the changes from within (look at Greece), survival forced the decision to leave. People fleeing wars only put pressure on the already existing true problems.

    Discussion on Thom Hartmann show with Steve Keen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OX1Ja4x5Thw

    Piece discussing Maastricht in the London Review of Books: http://www.lrb.co.uk/v14/n19/wynne-godley/maastricht-and-all-that

    LRB Vol. 14 No. 19 · 8 October 1992

    • Brin, Sorry I took out the full text since it will be copyright of the writer if not the magazine.
      I remember the Maastricht Treaty full well to the extent that mentioning it sent everyone into brain-dead, zombie mode. Soooo boring, we all thought, which it was. And here it has come back to bite us on the proverbial. Trouble is we all rely on someone else – politicians/civil servants to have read it minutely, understood it and all its implications, and be the best judges, since none of us can be bothered. Hey ho. If we knew then what we know now ……….. But at least the UK never went into the euro which is one major blessing.

  8. Greta, Quite a few of my wrinklie friends voted Remain but we tend to be quite internationalist in outlook. If the youngsters had exerted themselves to vote it might give more credence to their claims. Though the media are also to blame in all manner of other ways, not the least of which is their sensationlaist, must-have-a-battle approach to any issue. Will have a look at Wales.

  9. Marjorie, I am in awe of your prolific analyses and comments re Brexit. Thank-you for setting it out because the people who surround me seem to be in denial saying ‘ it doesn’t make much difference’ and I was beginning to believe that I had over thought the consequences.The lack of interest after the excitement of the vote is palpable. However, the media, especially the BBC radio stations, are whipping up a generation war with polls that suggest the 18-24 age group voted remain and the over 60’s voted leave. I don’t recall writing my date of birth on my ballot paper and the Yougov poll (which they quote) had Remain 4 points ahead so not to be trusted.Set me thinking, though. I wondered if the Brexit fall out shows up in generational astrology. I think my grandparents would be amazed at the affluence and leisure time of their great grandchildren! Will ‘the price tag’ impact on the 18-24 generation ?
    That is the unfun bit and you won’t think my next question is any fun at all but as a football hater, I have become enchanted by the Wales fans and their glorious singing. L’Equipe reports them as being a joy to behold, missed in the bars of Bordeaux and praised by the French police. Fuelled with nostalgia for Welsh holidays with my grandparents and the rich tones of ‘Hen wlad fy nhadau’ which united us, I wonder if the Welsh can somewhat salvage the Brits abroad reputation.

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