Quote: zooo @ May 5 2010, 5:22 PM BSTYou didn't die!
I for one am saving up dying for my really old age, when I've got nothing else to do.
General Election 2010 Page 87
Quote: Chappers @ May 6 2010, 1:08 AM BSTDon't you think though that they are the very people who can afford to pay?
£1 million? That's ridiculously low, particularly in London and the South East. What about all the OAPs who've been living in the same semi- since the mid 60s, and the property prices have rocketed around them whilst their wealth has climbed only with inflation. I wouldn't be at all surprised if my own maternal grandparents weren't in that exact situation. They've lived in the same house for 40 years or so; they're reasonably well off, but not rich by any stretch of the imagination. They just happen to live in an area in which prices have grown around them.
Quote: Aaron @ May 6 2010, 1:15 AM BST£1 million? That's ridiculously low, particularly in London and the South East. What about all the OAPs who've been living in the same semi- since the mid 60s, and the property prices have rocketed around them whilst their wealth has climbed only with inflation. I wouldn't be at all surprised if my own maternal grandparents weren't in that exact situation. They've lived in the same house for 40 years or so; they're reasonably well off, but not rich by any stretch of the imagination. They just happen to live in an area in which prices have grown around them.
So what's wrong with that?
As far as I'm concerned anyone who can afford to live in a £1,000,000 house is very well off.
Ooh look! Polls open in less than 6 hours! Here's a plea from the Badge Party: I don't mind too much which way you vote*, or whether you decide to or not, as long as you have thought about your options and the consequences.
*obvious exceptions apply
Quote: Chappers @ May 6 2010, 1:17 AM BSTSo what's wrong with that?
As far as I'm concerned anyone who can afford to live in a £1,000,000 house is very well off.
Christ, you really are a Lib Dem, aren't you? The point is that they - and thousands like them - CAN'T afford to live in properties that are worth £1 million. They don't have that kind of money. But the properties WOULD BE worth that much if they were to be sold, now. My grandparents' house cost them just £3,000 about 40 years ago. They've long paid off that mortgage, so it doesn't cost them anything. What it would cost to buy now has absolutely no relation to their finances.
Quote: Aaron @ May 6 2010, 1:15 AM BST£1 million? That's ridiculously low, particularly in London and the South East.
I'm afraid, Aaron, that this is the sort of comment that makes it obvious we disagree on politics. 
Quote: Aaron @ May 6 2010, 1:22 AM BSTChrist, you really are a Lib Dem, aren't you? The point is that they - and thousands like them - CAN'T afford to live in properties that are worth £1 million. They don't have that kind of money. But the properties WOULD BE worth that much if they were to be sold, now. My grandparents' house cost them just £3,000 about 40 years ago. They've long paid off that mortgage, so it doesn't cost them anything. What it would cost to buy now has absolutely no relation to their finances.
I wouldn't think that's in the £1m bracket. But isn't there some self-interest here?
Quote: Aaron @ May 6 2010, 1:22 AM BSTWhat it would cost to buy now has absolutely no relation to their finances.
But it has an enormous relationship to their wealth.
You really have got no grasp on reality have you Aaron.
Quote: Chappers @ May 6 2010, 1:27 AM BSTI wouldn't think that's in the £1m bracket. But isn't there some self-interest here?
Not at all. I'm merely speculating as to the worth of their property, knowing the rest of the area. I'm using their long-term-owner example as a point.
Quote: Badge @ May 6 2010, 1:28 AM BSTBut it has an enormous relationship to their wealth.
...No.
Quote: Chappers @ May 6 2010, 1:30 AM BSTYou really have got no grasp on reality have you Aaron.
I've a perfect grasp on reality. Alas, those early starts and late nights appear to be already playing havoc with your mental health.
Quote: Aaron @ May 6 2010, 1:39 AM BST...No.
Oh.
Quote: Badge @ May 6 2010, 1:28 AM BSTBut it has an enormous relationship to their wealth.
Do you mean their potential wealth? If they had to sell their home.
Quote: zooo @ May 6 2010, 1:43 AM BSTDo you mean their potential wealth? If they had to sell their home.
I mean what most people consider to be their net wealth, encompassing all their assets. But I bow to Aaron's definition. 
In the great scheme of things they are bloody rich. I'm not! And I don't think you are either Aaron - unless you have had a priveleged upbringing and can afford to live without earning any money.
Asset rich, cash poor.