The path we are on

[fluxburner]

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Some may think I'm over-reacting, because hey it can never happen here... can it? We are on that path now in this country. Its US or THEM, it may take a lot of years, but make sure you are on the right side of history. Make a small start, stop buying the effing Daily mail, pay attention to politics, particularly the increasing use of statutory instruments to slowly but surely lessen freedom of speech and democratic rights and use your vote in a GE, tactically, if need be.
The Conservative party is gone and we now have an hard right wing populist party. You should be worried.

[Babel071]

"First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me"

1946
Martin Niemöller

[richietns]

The totalitarian tip toe at work slowly take away the rights of the common working people.

[Jack1960]

"First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me"

1946
Martin Niemöller

Dont be ridiculous, why are people using this quote , we are having negotiations over changes to our working conditons , we may start two hours later , we may have do a sunday every now and again.
Millions of people under totalarian monsters , left and right . To use this quote , totally out of context , is a gross insult to the millions of victims , not a phg who may lose an allowance they havent earned for 20 years.Total 5th form nonsense .

[tomtallis]

I think they're referring to the polemic spouted by the c***s running for top tory c*** rather than the current industrial strife

[Woody Guthrie]

Dont be ridiculous, why are people using this quote

If you understood the context of the Martin Niemöller quote a little better you would know.

It's not about the existence of totalitarian states or the terrible conditions people live in but how they are created.

Slowly.
By degrees.
Attacking one section of society at a time.
Closing down any avenue for opposition.
While the people who are not affected do nothing.
Until it's their turn.

The time to stop a totalitarian regime is before it becomes one, once it does you're screwed. The trick is recognising the early signs.

Things like...
Controlling the media narrative.
Banning protests.
Outlawing strikes.
Government surveillance.
Demonising sections of society.
Blame shifting.
Manipulating the judiciary.

Those are all red flags..
Think about them.

[Jack1960]

Yes i do understand it and its been used wrongly in our case

[ssdd]

Yes i do understand it and its been used wrongly in our case

I don't think so Jack. As Woody highlights above, our struggle ties in with greater forces at play that are also dictating other avenues in our society.

If anything, ignoring that is a greater disrespect to our forebears and the ones who fought for freedom.

[Flashman_]

The Original posters comments are valid, its not disrespecting the horrors of what went before. Its about stopping it happening again. Someone once said about the banality of evil and its ease of dismissal by normal people. A study also found that about 20% of CEOs are psychopaths, which goes a long way to explain why many bosses have total indifference to normal peoples problems.
Generations of workers fought long and hard for the right to strike, and it is recognised in all democracies as being an integral part of being a democracy. So when these Tory psychopaths add even more restriction on our RIGHTS you can see the dangerous direction of travel. That same government has also already begun making laws to stop decent in general.

[Jack1960]

Thank you for replies, i do get what you say.

[Dorset Plodder]

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me"

1946
Martin Niemöller

The original post immediately brought this quote to mind as well Babel. With the current Political situation, as well as our Industrial one, I don't think anyone can afford to be complacent.

[Celtic warrior]

"First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me"

1946
Martin Niemöller

"Not a PHG who may lose an allowance they haven't earned for 20 years."

That part of your reply my friend is what the principle of the statement is about.
The PHG legacy payment doesn't affect you so you don't speak up, Maybe the TPM doesn't affect you so again no need to speak up.
New staff coming in on worse conditions and pay doesn't directly affect you so again no need to speak up ......
Until they take something from you and then it's too late as the ones on the worse conditions will then say ... doesn't affect me, and so the vicious circle continues to gather speed and the only winner is the fat cat business leaders because we didn't speak / stand up when we could,

[k979aaa]

"First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me"

1946
Martin Niemöller

Dont be ridiculous, why are people using this quote , we are having negotiations over changes to our working conditons , we may start two hours later , we may have do a sunday every now and again.
Millions of people under totalarian monsters , left and right . To use this quote , totally out of context , is a gross insult to the millions of victims , not a phg who may lose an allowance they havent earned for 20 years.Total 5th form nonsense .

The principal was set by an agreement the 2001 Way Forward Agreement once an an agreement was reached should be abided by we who were here at the time changed this is the crux an agreement is such not something some toff of an investment banker has anything to do with, If this sad individual should persist in his demonisation of those who embraced change by democracy while he is proglafit with the finances of the whole business shows a disdain for the working man and woman. We as a workforce expect agreements to be upheld whatever agreement and whenever it was signed this is a portant for things to come HOW CAN WE TRUST THIS MAN!