Nothing that British (and particularly English) people like better than punching down...
I'd suggest that the larger issue is that those who influence UK government policy most: corporations, very wealthy individuals and various sources of political donations, aren't keen on paying for it.
People in Britain are very much in favour of free healthcare, decent schools, efficient public services, reliable transport infrastructure and so on.
They are less keen on actually paying for it through taxation.
Undoubtedly the USA could by withholding their funding. They're obviously not going to do that though. They could also stop vetoing UN motions but they're not going to do that either it appears.
I think I found the Justin Lewis quote most interesting, in particular with reference to this forum as PaulC and others have I think suggested that a left wing government isn't possible because the electorate just isn't left wing.
"‘Majorities [in the US and other western countries] consistently support increased government spending in traditionally “liberal” areas such as healthcare, education, environmental protection, and even – when the word “welfare” is not used – programs for assisting the poor. This has been well documented in a number of comprehensive studies. And yet the media’s interpretative frameworks tend to suppress the leftist leanings of opinion poll responses, creating a picture of a moderate to conservative citizenry that matches a moderate to conservative political elite.’"
the old saying is history is written by the winners, and the logical extension of that, is the news is written by those in power
the reporting on Ukraine / Russia has been incredibly one sided, especially when it comes to stories wanting a sympathetic view etc. whilst I'm obviously against the invasion and Putin, I have a couple of friends in Russia, and have immense sympathy for them. There is barely a mention for the people in Russia who are against the invasion but suffer due to sanction which themselves havent made an impact... its 2 years on.
Although with this recent death of Navalny, perhaps some more complex pieces will be reported / written. Although its clear there is a will to return to the days of Russia BAD, for some folk.
likewise, the british public might well want a ceasefire in Gaza, but I dont think Netanyahu gives a fuck what the british government think, let alone what you, or I, or anyone else sickened by the continued actions, think.
USA is probably the only nation that can pressure Israel. Even then, I'm not sure. Certain people in Israel have wanted this for a long time, and they now have their 'reason'.
To cap it all
AI is gonna proper fuck shit up in the next few years
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