Ex-RAF serviceman from Lincoln kept alive by portable machine has benefits reinstated

“Hi Olderandwiser,

I do agree with quite a lot of what you are saying. However the official reason for going to war with Iraq, was one of "weapons of mass destruction", which we now know officially, had no foundation. Although in my opinion,this could be argued, as Saddam Hussein did wipe out whole villages of Khurds in various gas attacks which for me, asks the question, what actually constitutes a "weapon of mass destruction".

Whether the underlying objective was anything to do with oil and it's supply of it, one may never know for sure.

The second world war on the other hand, was very different. Our involvement in this particular war was inevitable and unavoidable, as there was a very serious and real threat that we, as a nation, could have been invaded for the first time in around 900 hundred years, had our liberty and freedom taken away by a Nazi regime that was marching relentlessly across the majority of Europe, crushing everyone that stood in it's path, and against it's beliefs and policies.

Although I haven't read anywhere of the actual cost of this particular conflict, suffice to say that it is widely accepted that it bought this country to the brink of bankcruptcy. My feeling is that because our very existence as a nation and what this nation stands for was under a serious and real threat, is probably why no-one questions the cost of it.”

“......"which makes me wonder just how much the various conflicts that the last government got us involved in, has cost this country?"

I've no wish to enter into a debate about the rights and wrongs of our invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan - but we need to be sure about this much at least, you don't measure the merits of conflict in pounds and pence, which is what the question asserts.

The decisions to invade and occupy were taken for whatever reasons they were taken - and many believe the principal driving force was to ensure a continuing supply of oil.

If that's the case, then the outcomes have been successful and, some would argue, worth the cost (both financial and loss of life - politicians factor public acceptance of loss of life into their calculations.)

It remains vital that we remain aware of the 'value' of something as well as its 'cost'. We mustn't reduce everything to pounds and pence or we will always end up taking the cheapest route - which will almost certainly lead to ruination.

And we most certainly would never have entered into what became the second world war ..... about which no-one is asking the cost.”

“Firstly I never said that it was all Labour's fault, what I said was they have to shoulder some of the responsibilty for the mess the country is in, as they were in government for some 13 years!

Secondly, I am not going to get drawn into political arguments on here, as none of the three major parties at this time, leave me convinced. My current view point is that there really isn't much to choose between any of them, as they are too alike, and coalitions do not work successfully in peacetime.

This country has drifted more towards a party leader, in recent times, that comes across well on the TV, with all the spin doctors trying to make them "electable", rather than what their policies are.

Just as a footnote for you Eatmygoal, you mention Vodaphone and a figure of £6bn being very handy, which indeed it would have been, which makes me wonder just how much the various conflicts that the last government got us involved in, has cost this country?”

“So if they had made different decisions, the near collapse of the largest economy in the world and the subsequent collapse of large parts of Europe, would in fact had left us sitting pretty? Labour and Conservatives have done some things that have not helped, but the "mess" the country is down to many many factors that are not at all simple. Certainly not as simple as Labour's fault.

What I do find annoying is that although cuts are necessary the opertunities to bring in more revenue are being passed over, such as the huge tax bill Vodaphone managed to avoid paying thanks to an agreement with the government where they paid an amount of it. £6bn could have come in handy.”

“Looks like I've lost my ability to spell!:) "their"

Oh and by the way the whole globe is not in recession!”

“Ahh so there policies had no bearing on anything then Eatmygoal?

If only everything in life were that simple eh!”

“So had Labour not been in power, how would we have avoided the global recession that everyone else is embroiled in?”

“AWG45 I cannot understand your post?

One minute you are blaming the conservatives, the people who voted conservative, then the rich, and then Labour for bringing in the this computer system? The only ones you haven't blamed are the Liberals, who, incase you have forgotten, form part of this government!!

And yes the last government have to shoulder a lot of the responsibiity for the mess this country is in, after all they were in power for some 13 years! Typical labour train of thought you put across, "not our fault gov it's everyone else"”

“It should never have come to this stage; wishing Alex all the best for the future”

“I take it therefore that there was no "yes this person qualifies" tick box available?”