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Pauline52's latest comments
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30th Mar 2021Pauline52 commented on:
Would you be happy with a driving curfew over the age of 70?Personally, I think there should be periodic health checks on every driver irrespective of age and annual eyesight tests should be a legal requirement. Most older people already have those checks. I’m not yet 70, but with a relatively minor health 'scare' two years ago, the first thing my doctor did was to ban me from driving until tests were completed - which created some difficulty with work commitments for a couple of weeks! My younger sister, on the other hand, knew she was incapable of driving when the early signs of Alzheimer’s set in at about 60 years old, yet she was still forced into looking for work in order to be able to claim the lowest level of basic financial support. She actually started one job - lasting only a few days before the employers realised their mistake! (My sister died last year a few days after her 64th birthday). Given that retirement age is now 67 and likely to rise before too long, I think someone, somewhere needs to coordinate these bright ideas!ViewDate:
24th Mar 2021Pauline52 commented on:
Should daylight savings be abolished?I’ve never really seen the point of 'daylight savings' in modern life. I remember an experiment many years ago when we kept to BST throughout the winter. A lot of schools and businesses moved their standard day forward to compensate, but ultimately, we have the same number of daylight hours in a day whatever the clocks say. I can see the point in all European countries being set for the same clock time but even that would cause problems for those countries at the Northern/Southern end of the spectrum. Just keep the time to GMT - we'd all learn to live with it.ViewDate:
4th Mar 2021Pauline52 commented on:
Will you watch the Sussexes' Oprah interview?Much as I loathe the idea of giving this credence, I’ll try to watch it. It’s unlikely to have any influence on my opinion, but whether we like it or not, it will be headline news with dozens of journalists across the Pond offering their ‘expert’ opinion about how Meghan was treated when she burst into the eye of the British public. I want to know first hand what is actually being said - rather than just read the out-of-context snippets that we’ll see in the headlines. For everybody’s sake, let’s hope the Duke of Edinburgh is still in good spirits on Monday!ViewDate:
16th Dec 2020Pauline52 commented on:
Should the relaxation of the rules over Christmas be cancelled?We all know what we need to do; why do we need a politician to tell us to do it? The people that don’t think about the potential consequences are the same people that would ignore the rules anyway.ViewDate:
16th Dec 2020Pauline52 commented on:
Should the relaxation of the rules over Christmas be cancelled?There’s no point in making any changes other than warning of the potential dangers. The rationale behind the relaxation was that people were going to do it anyway so let’s try to limit the damage. That still applies. Whether or not the rules are relaxed, it’s been estimated that about 25% of the population will go ahead with a family Christmas. Madness in my opinion but it is what it is. There’s always a major problem with rules/laws that can’t possibly be policed effectively.ViewDate:
14th Mar 2020Pauline52 commented on:
Is the UK Government doing enough to lessen the spread of Covid-19?In the UK, we have the advantage of being several weeks behind the rest of the world (so far) which means our experts have more information on which to base their decision making. It might still prove to be wrong - no country has achieved ‘good' results so far, so I can’t see any particular reason for blindly following the strategy of others. Until it’s all over - probably two years from now - no one can know what was the best approach. By that time, hopefully a vaccine will have been developed.ViewDate:
14th Mar 2020Pauline52 commented on:
Is the UK Government doing enough to lessen the spread of Covid-19?You could keep him at home?ViewDate:
14th Mar 2020Pauline52 commented on:
Is the UK Government doing enough to lessen the spread of Covid-19?We all have the choice whether or not to order goods from elsewhere, as with all the other things you mention. For most of us, COVID19 will be no worse than a bad cold. Those at risk need to be more careful - though the elderly people I’ve spoken to are rather more afraid of isolation than any virus!ViewDate:
14th Mar 2020Pauline52 commented on:
Is the UK Government doing enough to lessen the spread of Covid-19?I would strongly suggest that if your symptoms are not improving, it’s time to contact your GP by phone.ViewDate:
14th Mar 2020Pauline52 commented on:
Is the UK Government doing enough to lessen the spread of Covid-19?If schools were closed for any length of time, who takes care of the children whilst their parents go to work? Many nurses and other medical staff have children in school. If the child care responsibility is passed to the USA fall back - grandparents - surely that puts the highest risk group right in the firing line of the disease.ViewDate:
15th Jan 2020Pauline52 commented on:
Would you ‘Bung a bob for a Big Ben bong’ on Brexit night?I would certainly bung a Bob for Big Ben - whatever the reason! Why not? Far bigger sums of money are spent on more trivial things than this National Treasure. How much, for example, is spent on fireworks each year?ViewDate:
7th Nov 2019Pauline52 commented on:
Who will you vote for in the December General Election?No - he really didn’t! Farage simply capitalised on the mood of the people.ViewDate:
7th Nov 2019Pauline52 commented on:
Who will you vote for in the December General Election?You can’t vote for a Party - we can only vote for one MP.ViewDate:
7th Nov 2019Pauline52 commented on:
Who will you vote for in the December General Election?Although I’ve voted here for a party because that’s the theme of the poll, my vote on the day will be for my local MP - which is all any of us can vote for! I don’t always agree with him, I don’t always like the way he votes in Parliament but then, I don’t know a single other person that shares all of my views. Most of us have no influence over what happens at no. 10 other than lobbying our local MP, so, I think the best thing is to concentrate on local issues rather than the shambles at the top! All that said, regardless of which Party wins, this country can’t move forward until we have a Government with the power to make decisions and an Opposition capable of holding the Government to account. If that scenario transpires I’ll be satisfied.ViewDate:
1st Nov 2019Pauline52 commented on:
Would you like a ‘standing’ GP appointment?I can see the problem with the sedentary lifestyle of the GP - much the same as any office worker! The answer is for the GP to undertake some exercise. It occurs to me that a return to the old practice of visiting sick patients at home might assist with this problem?ViewDate:
26th Oct 2019Pauline52 commented on:
Should 'wolf-whistling' be a crime?I’ve never liked wolf-whistles; to me, they were embarrassing, but would I have called 999? Definitely not! If someone wolf-whistled at you in the street you could at least be pretty sure they weren’t planning to attack you or anyone else. It doesn’t hurt anyone, and can easily be ignored. How on earth are the police supposed to catch someone anyway? You can imagine the identity parade.... 'whistle please; one at a time'! (Now that’s a picture that makes me laugh!)ViewDate:
23rd Oct 2019Pauline52 commented on:
Would you like a general election?The EU have negotiated - the Withdrawal Agreement is on the table and Parliament has agreed it in principle. It is Parliament that is preventing the logical next move.ViewDate:
27th Sep 2019Pauline52 commented on:
Should women have time off work for menopausal symptoms?'Women’s problem' were the reason that women couldn’t get equal opportunities. We fought hard to prove that we were capable of working and we’re now hearing that isn’t so; women need special consideration. I’m all for everyone having the opportunity to choose their lifestyle; if you can’t manage the job you’re doing for any reason you choose a different job.ViewDate:
27th Sep 2019Pauline52 commented on:
Should women have time off work for menopausal symptoms?No, it’s no joke - but your case was clearly extreme. We have sick leave for this kind of thing. Why does it need extra legislation?ViewDate:
16th Mar 2019Pauline52 commented on:
Can you envision a smoke-free generation?I think the time will come when tobacco is no longer a problem, but something equally harmful will take its place. Utopia doesn’t exist on earth.ViewDate:
11th Jan 2019Pauline52 commented on:
Is obesity a lifestyle choice or a disease?There are many reasons for obesity, most of which are entirely in the control of the individual. Some people have deep seated problems and need extra help; most just need to get a grip of themselves! If that sounds judgemental, well - maybe it is. I was equally hard on myself. I was obese and now I’m not. I knew - as most people know - that it was my fault and my problem to deal with. All these unhealthy foods and drinks don’t jump off the supermarket shelves and force their way down your throat! Equally, in the vast majority of cases, child obesity is the fault and responsibility of the parents. I agree that there needs to be a move to deal with this ever growing problem but to classify it as a disease just provides an excuse for failing to eat properly. To my mind, the push needs to be in educating people about how to choose and prepare sensible nourishment, and the consequences of not doing so. Even then, many will choose the unhealthy alternative (as I did for some time!)ViewDate:
10th Dec 2018Pauline52 commented on:
Brexit - what happens next?Yes, the young ones will have to live with whatever happens - that includes the breakdown of democracy if there's a second referendum. We live in a country where the result of a referendum is recognised as the will of the people. That means that the action must be carried out by our elected Parliament. Suppose the Scottish referendum had been ignored? Or the 1795 referendum for the EU? Just suppose we decide now that no referendum is binding so government can just ignore it... what happens if there's a referendum about (say) going to war in the Middle East?ViewDate:
6th Dec 2018Pauline52 commented on:
Brexit - what happens next?'Once and for all'? Like the first referendum you mean?ViewDate:
6th Dec 2018Pauline52 commented on:
Brexit - what happens next?But we don’t know do we? If the vote is never put into effect, we’ll just carry on having referendum after referendum- and democracy dies.ViewDate:
6th Dec 2018Pauline52 commented on:
Brexit - what happens next?But the winner would have a chance to try wouldn’t they? The vote has not yet been honoured - ergo how can anyone know that it doesn’t work?ViewDate:
6th Dec 2018Pauline52 commented on:
Brexit - what happens next?We knew the issues as well then as we do now - it’s entirely your responsibility to make sure you’re properly informed before placing your cross in the box. If you think you were lied to then, why are you so sure you’re not being lied to now?ViewDate:
6th Dec 2018Pauline52 commented on:
Brexit - what happens next?My decision in 2016 was informed thank you. If you didn’t arm yourself with more details than the headlines, that’s your problem.ViewDate:
6th Dec 2018Pauline52 commented on:
Brexit - what happens next?The first option is 'continue with Brexit with no deal'.ViewDate:
19th Oct 2018Pauline52 commented on:
Would you support a delay to the final EU departure?I agree with your comments until the last sentence! The war ended 68 years ago; it has no relevance to the current situation. Either we move on, or we get stuck in the past. You can’t have both at the same time!ViewDate:
19th Oct 2018Pauline52 commented on:
Would you support a delay to the final EU departure?I can’t get terribly excited about a delay per se as long as we make a good, firm start. We started out being members of the EEC, and it has taken 45 years to get to where we are now.. it could take a similar length of time to get to where we really want to be - it’s a journey; not a pit stop. My problem with Chequers is that it seems designed to halt the journey!ViewDate:
5th Jan 2018Pauline52 commented on:
Would you give up bacon?The only thing I know for certain is that one day, I will die! Every single action I take contributes - one way or another - to that eventuality. I eat and drink most things in moderation most of the time, and I firmly believe that worrying about these endless scare reports is more harmful to health and well-being than any food on the menu. Stress is the biggest modern day killer - and is there any wonder when we hear so much conflicting 'advice'!ViewDate:
18th Dec 2017Pauline52 commented on:
Should 'wet wipes' be banned?We never use them in our house, but every time our drains are blocked, there’s a wet wipe caught up somewhere causing the blockage. If people are going to use them, they should be personalised so that we can find the culprit! They’d soon learn if they had to either clean the foul waste drain or pay for it to be done.ViewDate:
16th Nov 2017Pauline52 commented on:
Are you offended by the Greggs Christmas Advert?I am a Christian. Does the ad offend me personally. No, not especially; there are more important things to worry about. As far as I can see, it is just another pathetic attempt to create free publicity by getting a controversial 'idea' into the media. To the (probably highly paid) PR people who came up with this stupidity, you should know that it isn't new. Mischievous 5 year-olds have been doing this kind of thing since time immemorial in a bid to gain kudos with their equally childish friends! Grow Up for goodness sake! If you can't promote the product without deliberate attempts to offend, you've no right to be holding the job!ViewDate:
10th Aug 2017Pauline52 commented on:
Should the NHS stop funding IVF treatment?Up to £5,000 for private treatment- yes, I know that's true, and it isn't easy money to find. I also recognise that Nature is sometimes unfair, but doesn't that also apply to people with (e.g.) cancer, cystic fibrosis, Down's syndrome etc. etc. etc. If we're going to talk about all people having the same 'rights', please explain to me how we're going to make these awful diseases and disabilities go away for those that are affected. In the overall scheme of things, £5K is peanuts - a minuscule part of the cost of raising a child. If you've reached the age of 30 and can't save the £5K for IVF treatment, how will you find the money to pay for a child's cloths, food, books, toys etc. in even the first few years of his/her life? Having a child isn't a 'right' to be funded by the state; in these days of everyone's 'right' to do as they wish with their own body, it's a responsibility to be carefully considered with the next 20 years (and sometimes much more) in mind. Sometimes, it just isn't meant to be!ViewDate:
11th Jul 2017Pauline52 commented on:
Is communicating via Social Media an acceptable format for world leaders?But we do find out what he's really like which wouldn't happen if we only saw the edited versions of carefully constructed letters! Anyone using social media to get their message across should recognise the potential effects of their few words on Twitter - the fact that Trump doesn't seem to think before he transmits tells us a lot about his character.ViewDate:
11th Jul 2017Pauline52 commented on:
Is communicating via Social Media an acceptable format for world leaders?You could say exactly the same thing about people who only get their updates from one newspaper or TV channel. Social media encourages debate, so more viewpoints are readily available for consideration- for those who are willing to engage with a different point of view at least.ViewDate:
9th Jun 2017Pauline52 commented on:
Has Theresa May's power evaporated?The cap had been discussed and, I believe, settled. This whole policy was put together by the coalition government and was only held up due to the election. The biggest problem for this policy was the ignorance of current policy!ViewDate:
17th May 2017Pauline52 commented on:
Would you like to see the mail, rail and energy industries nationalised?Nice idea, but pie in the sky for the time being I think. It's all very well saying they are cost-neutral to return to Public sector, but whether or not that proves to be true, I'd like to see some realistic figures about the on-going running costs and regular investment - and where that money will come from.ViewDate:
12th May 2017Pauline52 commented on:
Should fox hunting be legal again?Why has she raised it at all? For the same reason that Tony Blair tried so hard to avoid it of course. There is a very small minority to whom this matters - on both sides of the argument. They are powerful people by virtue of their wealth, and how much of that wealth will be donated to which political party. Most of us have little interest in a law that cannot be effectively policed - and the killing of foxes by packs of dogs will stop or continue regardless of any such ban! I suppose it's a useful distraction from the really important issues for those who need a cause...ViewDate:
11th May 2017Pauline52 commented on:
Should fox hunting be legal again?I think it's true that the main purpose of this vote is to appease the 'big money' people who are in a position to threaten the political parties. It was exactly the same (though in reverse) for Tony Blair who tried very hard to avoid the vote in favour of the ban. Make no mistake, this is no less a Labour issue than Tory - selfish money goes to the party offering what the selfish want - but it is big money and matters to both major parties. Personally, I was against the ban first time around but we've moved on - attempts to reverse legislation like this are rarely successful. There is, however, still a powerful minority who won't shut up until they have been thoroughly silenced by both the main parties. A vote in favour of the ban by a significant Conservative majority will be unassailable. This is not a 'rich v poor' issue - the minority is made up of as many 'poor' followers as rich landlord hunters. To my mind, the answer to this conundrum is to make sure that ALL candidates of ALL parties are fully aware of the opinion of the majority - i.e. that the ban should stay. If we all stick to supporting the candidates that we chose for other reasons, whilst making sure candidates know our views on this issue, the ban will not be overturned.