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Old 20th Jan 2010, 13:49
  #92 (permalink)  
Jackonicko
 
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Just behind the back of beyond....
Posts: 4,187
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Radar, old chap,

I haven't called you a fascist, I've lumped you in with 'right wingers' - partly for comedic effect as I've also lumped myself (pro-defence, pro-nuke, pro-grammar school) as a 'lefty'.

Nor have I called you a racist.

I merely point out that many right wingers abhorr the idea of spending on overseas aid, and sent up what is an underlying thought, in many cases.

It was a cheap shot, as UNDER PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES I would myself support taking a selective axe to overseas aid spending.

The underlying point though is that however affordable a £70 Bn defence budget ought to be (and we probably both agree on that), we are not going to see appropriate tax rises to enable it, and nor are we going to see the money stripped from the bloated budget of the NHS, with GP pay being halved so that they're paid more like teachers than bankers.

However desirable that might be.

Defence is going to have to live within its means, and to make tough choices. In those circumstances, it is simply not sensible to spend on carriers and JSF.
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