British Comedy Guide

BNP - Could it really happen? Page 6

Hi Ruby,

Try looking at the classified adverts for flats in London. Even the most horrible bits cost a fortune, especially if you have a family.

Immigration issues have always been about perceptions rather then facts, if you go into an East London hospital waiting room and you're stuck in there for 3 hours and everyone in front of you has different coloured skin, head scarves and speaks in a foreign language, your perceptions about immigration can become warped.

We all have friends like your aforementioned Simon, who come here for noble reasons and contribute to society and the UK is a very tolerant society compared to how immigrants are treated in places like Russia.

Unfortunately, the perception is that most foreigners are here to take advantage of our 'soft touch' system.

It's always risky talking about immigration and race, we all consider ourselves to be intelligent and accepting people and no one wants to be branded as a racist.

So do we bury our heads in the sand and hope it all works out okay?

Quote: Renegade Carpark @ June 6 2009, 4:09 PM BST

So do we bury our heads in the sand and hope it all works out okay?

That's the politically correct thing to do.

I never said that we should bury our heads or that anyone was racist and I did say we do have a problem. My point was that it's just easy to forget such things with everything we hear and read about. :)

I'm surprised that Londoners have to pay that much. I'm from Devon, the second most expensive place to buy or rent a home after London and £250 rent per week to me seems a bit much. Granted, family homes are more but for single living, it sounds daft - to me that is.

I still like the gingerbread house idea. With a white chocolate conservatory.

I have to admit that I am not a political person so these are just my view points. Note the sig :P.

£1000 per month seems pretty cheap for a place in London. I paid almost $2000 in southern California 3 years ago. A friend in the San Francisco area rents a home for $3500 per month.

My mortgage, insurance and taxes are under $2000, hence the move from California to Texas.

I can't see myself with a mortgage. I'll only end up swapping the house for some magic beans or something.

Quote: RubyMae - Glamourous Snowdrop at Large @ June 6 2009, 4:29 PM BST

I can't see myself with a mortgage. I'll only end up swapping the house for some magic beans or something.

Renting is fine as long as you're saving a lot of money. I paid $120,000 in rent during 6 years in California and walked away with nothing to show for it. :(

I have shoes.

Quote: Renegade Carpark @ June 6 2009, 3:54 PM BST

This myth that there are thousands of jobs waiting to be filled is bull though. Working in an unpaid sales position trying to flog crap over the phone or door to door is not a proper job.

Any half way decent, normal job is receiving a 100+ CVs and from what I've seen, the number of entry level jobs is going way down, every advert seems to read 'Must be fluent in four languages, have 3+ years experience, know every computer programme devised by man and willing to work shifts, nights and weekends with no overtime' c£15k.

The wages in this country have always been pretty bad compared to our American and European counterparts, now employers are using the recession to further squeeze their workforce.

As for minimum wage and benefits, why would anyone work for £160 when their rent is £250 per week? That is madness.

Factory work, community outreach, support work, child support, are all posts that can't be filled. Because people won't do them oh and classroom assisstants. Most of which pay a passable wage and I talking from personal experience in most of these cases. The minimun wage should be maybe 50% more than it is and it a disgrace that a Labour party won't push that through. But throw in tax credits and housing benefit and you can boost those low wages. Sorry Renegade I suspect your friends should take some advice from the job centre on retraining or going for a diferent job, rather than aimless racist whining.

And most decent unqualified jobs in care, education etc are available with anyone with the patience to do 6 months voluntary work. Which is what I did.

Quote: RubyMae - Glamourous Snowdrop at Large @ June 6 2009, 3:54 PM BST

They are just so thankful to be allowed to live in a country where they don't have to worry about looking over their shoulders

Perhaps not to the same extent as in China...

I have just found some shoes with stars and rockets on. Talk amongst yourselves....

Actually while you're on the subject of rent a £1000 is a lot. But there are part mortgage schemes, social housing, council housing, part housing benefit, coops and just plain low rents. It is not upto society to spoon feed the lazy.

And live in the cheaper bits of London most of them are perfectly nice and have decent public transport (thank you St Ken).

Quote: Renegade Carpark @ June 6 2009, 4:09 PM BST

It's always risky talking about immigration and race, we all consider ourselves to be intelligent and accepting people and no one wants to be branded as a racist.

So do we bury our heads in the sand and hope it all works out okay?

No. We should speak about it more in order to break that taboo and discourage that myth. Open, frank discussions will lead to solutions for the benefit of both sides. But any kind of criticism or negative observation about immigration etc. is instantly labelled as Daily Mail racist idiocy. It's a pity that the accusers can't see that it is they who are the judgemental, reactionary fools.

Quote: RubyMae - Glamourous Snowdrop at Large @ June 6 2009, 4:24 PM BST

I'm surprised that Londoners have to pay that much. I'm from Devon, the second most expensive place to buy or rent a home after London and £250 rent per week to me seems a bit much. Granted, family homes are more but for single living, it sounds daft - to me that is.

London prices vary a lot depending on your standards, requirements, and where and when you look. But £250pw is depressingly standard for a one-bed flat.

Racism is a bit like fugu sushi. Very difficult to cut with out releasing the poison.

But it is a more complex area and blind tolerance is a poor idea. If you come to this country you should be expected to learn the language and pay for it (albeit subsidised). Breaking the law because it's culture should be a no no. And no job should be advertised abroad without it being offered in this country first (and with union aproved fair conditions). And people who pop overseas to break the law (eg child marriage) should frankly no be let back in.

For what it's worth the government is enforcing alot of these things, alot harder than you might expect.

Quote: RubyMae - Glamourous Snowdrop at Large @ June 6 2009, 4:40 PM BST

I have just found some shoes with stars and rockets on. Talk amongst yourselves....

Um, may I see them please?

Of course Miss Zooo :) Zoooooooooom!

Must. Give. Card. Details.

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