Paul Ruskin
@paulruskin.bsky.social
Retired technologist. Centrist dad. Glider pilot.
Well, I agree with that.
January 2, 2026 at 10:03 AM
Well, I agree with that.
It goes alongside free movement of Brits to Europe. What's not to like?
January 2, 2026 at 9:05 AM
It goes alongside free movement of Brits to Europe. What's not to like?
Well, yes there are. I'm finding it very useful. And you can apply your argument to many technologies.
January 2, 2026 at 8:07 AM
Well, yes there are. I'm finding it very useful. And you can apply your argument to many technologies.
We urgently need to decouple ourselves from the US in our financial systems. Because that's where their real leverage is.
December 24, 2025 at 6:30 PM
We urgently need to decouple ourselves from the US in our financial systems. Because that's where their real leverage is.
I found both these articles quite illuminating. Well done, particularly given the sensitivity of the topic.
December 8, 2025 at 7:17 AM
I found both these articles quite illuminating. Well done, particularly given the sensitivity of the topic.
The single market is at least, if not more, important.
December 2, 2025 at 5:15 PM
The single market is at least, if not more, important.
But you're missing joining that huge market across the channel. And you've signally failed to do anything about all the cliff edges and disincentives in the tax system which restrict growth. ("We'll do anything for growth, but we won't do that...."
December 1, 2025 at 8:34 AM
But you're missing joining that huge market across the channel. And you've signally failed to do anything about all the cliff edges and disincentives in the tax system which restrict growth. ("We'll do anything for growth, but we won't do that...."
Much of what you say seems true, but we're 38th in gdp/head in purchasing power parity according to the CIA World fact book. Well behind others.
December 1, 2025 at 7:18 AM
Much of what you say seems true, but we're 38th in gdp/head in purchasing power parity according to the CIA World fact book. Well behind others.
Yes, but there are pros and cons to testing. And basing policy on people who tested, found that they had cancer, and possibly ended up with a better result is very one sided. The studies that have been done suggest that there are significant harms and mortality isn't improved by testing.
November 28, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Yes, but there are pros and cons to testing. And basing policy on people who tested, found that they had cancer, and possibly ended up with a better result is very one sided. The studies that have been done suggest that there are significant harms and mortality isn't improved by testing.
Ah. A 'we've had enough of the experts' view. Much better to base policy on his personal experience.
November 28, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Ah. A 'we've had enough of the experts' view. Much better to base policy on his personal experience.
Excellent article
November 18, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Excellent article
Well, I suppose it's a view. I'm in favour though of making strides against cancer. I also find the collective American response to homicides (let's buy more guns) utterly bizarre. I just think the original post was a little simplistic.
November 16, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Well, I suppose it's a view. I'm in favour though of making strides against cancer. I also find the collective American response to homicides (let's buy more guns) utterly bizarre. I just think the original post was a little simplistic.
But since everyone dies, and generally of something, most of the deaths aren't remarkable and won't be reported. So this is unsurprising.
November 16, 2025 at 7:41 AM
But since everyone dies, and generally of something, most of the deaths aren't remarkable and won't be reported. So this is unsurprising.
Laffer was broadly right with his simple point - but the question is where is the optimum rate of tax. It's not obviously lower than most of our existing tax rates as the right wingers claim. However, in several cases the cliff edges are above it, and need fixing.
November 9, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Laffer was broadly right with his simple point - but the question is where is the optimum rate of tax. It's not obviously lower than most of our existing tax rates as the right wingers claim. However, in several cases the cliff edges are above it, and need fixing.
There are plenty of current examples of the cliff edges in the tax system discouraging people to work more - see NHS doctors not taking on extra work because to do so puts them in penal tax rates, for example. Also look at the graph of no of people vs income, and the huge spike just below £100K.
November 9, 2025 at 9:24 AM
There are plenty of current examples of the cliff edges in the tax system discouraging people to work more - see NHS doctors not taking on extra work because to do so puts them in penal tax rates, for example. Also look at the graph of no of people vs income, and the huge spike just below £100K.
My view is that they should raise income tax, but they should do it as part of a fairly major rework and simplification of the tax system to get rid of at least the worst of the disincentives to growth
November 6, 2025 at 4:46 PM
My view is that they should raise income tax, but they should do it as part of a fairly major rework and simplification of the tax system to get rid of at least the worst of the disincentives to growth
I think if you're going to propose that, you need to address the question of how many asylum seekers you think the country should accept. Would you limit it, and if so how?
November 1, 2025 at 8:48 AM
I think if you're going to propose that, you need to address the question of how many asylum seekers you think the country should accept. Would you limit it, and if so how?
Lacking ambition. You need at the very least the single market as well. And much better that we regain our place in the European Community by rejoining.
October 23, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Lacking ambition. You need at the very least the single market as well. And much better that we regain our place in the European Community by rejoining.
Really leading from behind, aren't they. Are they capable of making a case for anything?
October 16, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Really leading from behind, aren't they. Are they capable of making a case for anything?
Prosecution would have been sensible. Proscription was foolish as evidenced by the mess the government have ended up in.
October 15, 2025 at 7:19 AM
Prosecution would have been sensible. Proscription was foolish as evidenced by the mess the government have ended up in.
It won't change prices, but it will make the market less sticky - you won't lose so much each time you move.
October 8, 2025 at 12:43 PM
It won't change prices, but it will make the market less sticky - you won't lose so much each time you move.
I think I'll pay too
October 8, 2025 at 12:40 PM
I think I'll pay too
One issue has been the way it has been sold, as a counter to illegal working rather than as something that makes every day life easier.
October 8, 2025 at 6:37 AM
One issue has been the way it has been sold, as a counter to illegal working rather than as something that makes every day life easier.
Seems very reasonable. English speaking kids, there for a few years, would be at a severe disadvantage with many of their lessons taught in Welsh
October 6, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Seems very reasonable. English speaking kids, there for a few years, would be at a severe disadvantage with many of their lessons taught in Welsh
If they're successful, they guarantee a Farage government. So keep at it, folks.
September 21, 2025 at 4:33 PM
If they're successful, they guarantee a Farage government. So keep at it, folks.