Lefties try to justify out of control public sector spending (29Oct09)

[FrogKillr]

Why isn't Jacqui Smith in jail?

[GoldenbanjoDJ]

The typical leftist approach - THROW MONEY AT IT

No matter how efficient the recipient, we should give everyone loads and loads of borrowed money - that way we pump money that we don't even have into useless schemes

The benefit system is the prime example. The majority of the people on the dole are some of the most wasteful and useless people in Britain. Immigrants do more to help the economy than them - yet they are the very FIRST to get OUR money shoved into their pockets

[d1bx4pp]

John Sergeant is a fool. I think it was Portillo who said that he had tried and tried again to explain to Sergeant why a tax cut can lead to an increase in revenue.

You may disagree with the Laffer curve but if you can't even grasp the argument I'm not sure you have any place as a political commenter.

[macsm]

This is a political discussion, but are all the panel members in politics? Or is this not a politically centered discussion (well, party-centric). The round-center format has a very communal feeling to it, very different from formats in the states (to me). Just curious,

[FiftyOneDegreesNorth]

When the shit hits the fan when the next recession comes which will be bigger than the last one, will be funny seeing the faces of these idiot politicians, sadly I think the Government response will be more borrowing and printing money. Shame most people in the UK aren't smart enough to understand whats happening...

[FiftyOneDegreesNorth]

When the shit hits the fan when the next recession comes which will be bigger than the last one, will be funny seeing the faces of these idiot politicians, sadly I think the Government response will be more borrowing and printing money. Shame most people in the UK aren't smart enough to understand whats happening...

[FiftyOneDegreesNorth]

Good old Labour, they ain't got a fucking clue god bless 'em.

[bleedingheart2000]

Fat John is a disgrace comparing current debt to debt we owed to the US. The US loans were at such low low interest rates, thanks to them, that these loans were not paid off as a priority! It's very simple!!! That's why noone noticed when they were finally paid off.

[wasabimanic]

@bleedingheart2000" that ain't fair"comment should have followed Sergeant and his fat cat salary "paying back"???. Seargent (News reader)shows his true colours,our cynicism proved right again I think Martyn Lewis and MichaelBurke about the only news readers not "institutionally left"

[CRAPCANNONS]

Why have the people put themselves in a position where they depend entirely on the state to save them?

Save them from what, exactly?

The state has proved itself time and time again to be entirely incompetent and indifferent to the needs of people.

Changing abusers won't make the abuse go away. You can't expect different results from the same system. The system has to change.

Leave the abusive relationship. Time to break up.

[delatroy]

1:40 is infuriating! I wouldn't mind only he talks so persuasively that it sounds correct yet he has it ENTIRELY backwards!

He says: borrowing = more spending = more consumption = economic growth = prosperity.This is Kaynesian Economic Theory.

In truth, econmic growth is derived from production, not consumption - this is Austrian Economic Theory. More saving = more capital investments and entrepreneurship = more production = exports for profit = economic growth.

[wasabimanic]

Add John to the list of the cushioned rich BBCluvvies. The irresponsible that got us in this mess come from all corners. One thing for sure ,as always , as with crime, is the hard working responsible self denying sacrificing ppl are the ones who have to pay for the "losers". The cushion/ net goes against natural justice, it is long term irresponsible to shield cushion ppl from the consequences of "their" deeds. They learn, not the error, but there is no penalty for mistakes. learn from mistakes

[worcesteradam83]

it was such an awful crisis and yet anyone who watched the BBC would have had no idea it was coming. neither did politiians. neither did mainstream socialist economists/professors.

Funny how an enorrrrrmous crisis can come out of nowhere.

[PikeSdream]

Killers Thieves & Lawyers.

[dylans8]

great comment from the lady in the audience followed by a load of crap from jaqui im not giving it back smith

[TheLordRose]

What the hell? Did he just say we can get through a recession caused by bad banking habits by borrowing? What are these people on!?

Not to mention of course that the point of rich people such as the bankers and MP's dont lose out, its us, was completely avoided like the plague.

What is potentially the biggest question is why did the Government get in so much debt when only twenty years ago or so, we'd just paid off our last debts.

[solreavir]

wat a load of spinnning rubbish from labour

[Sillysod]

The panel was crap on this Question Time. The conservative woman was very soft, especially to Legover's stupid rant against them. What an arse.

[anyfekinnamewilldo]

They can't keep squeezing the efficient bits of the economy to subsidise the dysfunctional bureaucracy of the state. It is simply unsustainable in the long term.

If gov't were a business it would have gone bust yrs ago..the don't listen to customers, provide a shitty service and runs up a massive deficit. What a joke.

[midr06]

The only reason Labour won't keep up with their public spending is because we're skint and nobody will lend us more money. They're like a rich kid who over uses Dad's credit card until he gets the bill and they have it taken off them and are given a dose of reality.

They'll only whisper it though. can't risk losing votes.