tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19508699.post7979805672163161620..comments2024-03-29T06:38:18.116+00:00Comments on Energy Balance: Britain Rebuked for "Excessive Borrowing".Professor Chris Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12060542089215379056noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19508699.post-22061548953736032342008-07-18T07:54:00.000+01:002008-07-18T07:54:00.000+01:00Hi Clarence.I agree, and arguably these social sys...Hi Clarence.<BR/><BR/>I agree, and arguably these social systems have been built and encouraged by the supply of cheap fuel, since WWII say.<BR/><BR/>When it does all hit the fan, we will be in trouble. Imagine the consequences of 50% of the UK's population who claim, including the inner-cites, if the government suddenly couldn't afford to pay the "benefits" bill, which amounts to almost $300 billion (£148 billion).<BR/><BR/>I note from the news this morning that the UK government are trying to arrange things so they can borrow more money.<BR/><BR/>So the situation seems to me - here anyway, I don't know how the US system is arranged in detail, but I gather it is a lot less generous than that in the UK - the powers are having enough trouble keeping the lid on the staus quo let alone to make serious plans for a "post-carbon world"!<BR/><BR/>As you say, "heaven help us"!<BR/><BR/>Regards,<BR/><BR/>Chris.Professor Chris Rhodeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12060542089215379056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19508699.post-32474129873470934552008-07-17T15:14:00.000+01:002008-07-17T15:14:00.000+01:00Clarence from Baltimore here.Just wanted to say th...Clarence from Baltimore here.<BR/><BR/>Just wanted to say that your post here touches on something - a piece of a puzzle that has so far eluded many. That is, what are the socio-political factors that are active in the western countries at this time of great economic peril?<BR/><BR/>I see broken political systems in both the US and GB -totally unable to face up to the actions and challenges of the coming crisis in any meaningful way. Technologically, I'm an optimist -but socially I'm a pessimist. It's my opinion that what will need to be done in the US will be done by the private sector or not at all. IN the UK, I'm not sure what to say. It's obvious your societes carrots and sticks are all messed up.<BR/><BR/>Figuratively speaking -heaven help us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com