Saturday 13 February 2010

The One That Is Face-Palming. . .

I despair, I really do despair. Even with my tenuous grasp of economics I understand that this is utter, utter nonsense.

The working week should be cut to 21 hours to help boost the economy and improve quality of life.

And who came up with this excellent idea?

The New Economics Foundation.

Who?

a left-wing think tank.

Ah. Right-ho.

the reduction in hours would help to ease unemployment and overwork.

No, no it wouldn't. Well, it'd cerainly ease overwork, because no-one would be working. The simple truth of the matter is that unemployment would shoot through the roof.

Why?

Well, one of two things would have to happen.

A: People would expect to be paid what they are paid now. Read as: Rabid Socialists with no grasp of market economics would demand and legislate for businesses shutting the fuck up and paying people exactly what they are paid now, whilst in a single stroke doubling the size of their workforce and all the associated costs in training, HR and equality issues etc, etc. The result? Private business would disappear. Unemployment goes through the roof, the burden on the public purse stretches past tolerance levels, the country goes bankrupt, gangs of very, very angry people start roaming the streets to kill and steal.

B: People will not only halve their hours, but will also halve their incomes. People will have no disposable income, they will not be able to afford food, prescription charges, fuel for their cars. Retail business in this country will fall apart as people simply would not have any money to spend. They will default on their mortgages and fail to make rent payments. Evictions and repossessions would spiral out of control. The result? Unemployment goes through the roof, the burden on the public purse stretches past tolerance levels, the country goes bankrupt, gangs of very, very angry people start roaming the streets to kill and steal.

Heres' the kicker:

The foundation's policy director Andrew Simms added: "A cultural shift will throw up real challenges (no shit, like survival for example - Wolfers), but there could also be massive benefits for our economy (like it would cease to exist - Wolfers), our quality of life (we could go back to hunter gathering - Wolfers) and our planet (we'd all be dead in ten years - Wolfers).

"After all, hands up who wouldn't like a four day weekend?"

I'm sorry? Are you really, really advocating a return to the three day week?

Fuck me backwards over a yak with a pineapple and goose fat, they really are completely, completely mad. This goes beyond normal throwing a nokia, nose-mining loopiness, this is full on destructive, murderous, criminal insanity. If you think you can stomach it, the whole suggestion is detailed here, although as suggestions go it seems to be as inviting to me as being asked if I'd like to put my genitals in a food-blender.

2 comments:

JohnRS said...

like "being asked if I'd like to put my genitals in a food-blender"

It'll go down well with NuLieBore folk then. After putting their cross in the wrong box three times running you can tell they're gluttons for punishment.

The Refuser said...

I think you will see the logical conclusion of such lunacy in Greece in the coming months when Germany imposes realism on a culture dedicated to sloth.

It reminds me of these marxist half-wits. You know, the ones who say that there is no problem accommodating more a few million extra immigrants in Britain because there are "plenty of green fields" They seem to overlook the fact that those green fields tend to do something useful....Like grow food for example.