I had heart surgery during the year and the NHS was superb a much improved service under Labour. Is there room for improved processes - only a fool would believe there isn't room for improvement. Is it as good as the French model - perhaps not.

On benefits we will never agree so no point wasting time

The key to Sal's post is the word INEFFICENT.

I think anyone who lives in the UK has a right to know at least this;

1) Why are we spending one billion pounds on one tube station in London (Tottenham Court Road -look it up) as part of the Crossrail contract. And how does that benefit the 70 precent of the people in the UK who don't visit London more than once a year?

2) Why are four of the five busiest airports in the UK in the South East, and why is that idiot Boris trying to get agreement to build another airport in the Thames Estuary?

3) There is a world outside the South East. Airports where people live might be a start. Recognise it.

Bloody hell Billy they will have the Olympics in London next

Get yourself down the M1 and enjoy the benefits of the south

What, living on top of everyone and having 3.5 M2 per person to live in? Marvellous! Or should that be amaaaaazing?

To be fair the airports are needed where people want to go from and go to. Like it or not that's mainly London. Teesside has an airport but apparently few people go there.

If it was to put one in I'd sue, they failed miserably

That's harsh, he was complimentary of the NHS treatment he received, at least he's being fair minded unlike what you get from some posters here. People are allowed to have different opinions and still acknowledge the strengths of the arguments of the other side which is what Sal Paradise did.

Dave Spart is alive and well on this forum and seems to have plenty of followers

Firstly it would stand to reason that the Labour popularity being more prevalent in the north and Rugby League being a northern sport that there would be more Left leaning posters on this forum.

It really does irritate me though when these same posters label any opposing view with such negative and derogatory language, when did peoples views become so polarised or is this just an Internet phenomenon?

I've lost count the amount of times I've been labelled a racist, xenophobe or bigot, not always directly but we have some clever people who throw veiled insults thinking certain people lack the intelligence to decipher exactly what they allude to.
I find it extremely laughable, if only these people actually knew me, my family, and my friends and personal experiences.

So Sal Paradise being 'attacked' doesn't surprise me in the slightest.

once a Spartist always a Spartist tho' more of a 'floating' Spartist nowadays.....

Here's a little tip: if you don't make racist, xenophobic or bigoted remarks, you tend not to get labeled as such.

The major airports [iare[/i where most people live. And where most visitors to the UK want to go. Airport construction generally follows traffic, not [ivice versa[/i.

Rubbish, disagree with religion and the left, and watch the character assassinations fly out.

If you can confuse "character assassination" with having your argument ripped to shreds, then I suggest this may not be the place for you

Really? It's the usual suspects throwing the same mud at different discussions knowing that eventually it'll stick, nothing to do with ripping anything to shreds.

Does having an Indian ex girlfriend, your best friend being of a different colour and ethnicity and being married to a Polish Jew make me, a bigot, xenophobe or racist?

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean you're [inot[/i being followed though

None of which excuse making bigoted, xenophobic or racist remarks. If you think they should, then you're even more simple than I first thought

No.
Does having views to the left of yours make someone necessarily Spartist?

No, that comment wasn't aimed at all the people left side of centre.

Ta, I'm happy with that.

Frankly I couldn't give a toss what you think of my opinion. You was the one who first started bleating about being unfairly labeled a racist, xenophobe or bigot. I simply pointed out that I know of no one on this forum who has been labeled a racist, xenophobe or bigot by not posting comments that could be construed as racist, xenophobic or bigoted.

Now if you'd care to return to discussing the thread, instead of whining about some ill-conceived victimisation, I'm sure everyone else would appreciate it

What a load of rubbish - on here virtually anyone who suggets non white British people are less than totally honest is accused by the likes of you being a racist - even if the facts support the post.

Perhaps you need to get off your high horse and out of your Gieves & Hawkes and understand you are not the arbitor of opinion. No one bleats more than you if anyone has the temerity to expose the weaknesses in your arguments.

Like Mintball you are protected and can post with impunity - "More equal than most" odd on board run by supposed socialists!!

If you have a legitimate complaint about moderation, you know the procedure.

Meanwhile, defending yourself against accusations of racism via a racist generalisation is just dumb. And sailing very close to the AUP.