Affordable

This term 'affordable' has become a part of British culture. It's highly irritating and supremely patronising. What does 'affordable' really mean? And to whom? It must depend on your bank balance and appreciation of value. A £100 to a wealthy person is perceived differently to how a poor person will view the same amount. But poor people are disappearing into the mist. Poor people don't exist, do they? It's all mixed up in the illusion that inflation is low and so 'inflation-busting' salary rises are unnecessary.

The English police are denied a back-dated pay rise (less than 2%), but enjoyed in-full by the Scottish equivalent (no connection to Gordon Brown being Scottish and resident incumbent of the very English address at No.10 Downing Street, of course). Clearly, the denial is a political point and not a financial one. Train fares being hiked by 5-7%, gas and electricity hikes, petrol tax hikes being levied (around 66% cost per litre goes in taxation and is nearly 70p of every £1). The increase may be at an inflation rate of about 2%, but this is a tax hike on an existing tax. Remember that VAT (Value Added Tax at 17.5%) is charged on the imposed duty of around 50%.

Cynical

Financial systems are debt-based. Without debt, there can be no interest or inflation and consequently no growth. But regarding 'affordable' housing, the equation gets even more complicated as the thickening mist becomes a fog. The obvious psychological 'mind-game' suggestion is that you should be able to afford anything that is described as 'affordable' even if realistically you can't. But you don't know that because it's  'affordable'. Because They say so and They must be right mustn't They? Whatever or whoever They seem to be.

They:

STAND UP AND IDENTIFY YOURSELVES

The psychological peer group pressure card is being played and keeping up with the Joneses is still very active. Credit is readily available to those who find it 'affordable' and like every other 'affordable' product you need it whether it's necessary or not. The implication is that if it's 'affordable' then you need it. What is 'affordable' debt and how is it defined? 'Affordable' has become fashionable and 'affordable' debt even more so. The nation is allegedly enjoying a 'never had it so good' boom. The standard of living continues to escalate roughly in proportion to the mounting debt. Misery is correspondingly enhanced. So, debt is 'affordable' and to be in debt means success. Debt is a good thing. If you aren't in debt to some bank then you must be a loser. To 'afford' debt and to be able to get yourself into debt by borrowing is winning. If you cannot get a loan to place yourself in debt then you are a loser.

Perverse

Wealth and ownership of 'money' is an illusion. The belief that 'money' actually exists is delusion. If a large proportion of 'savers' demanded their cash assets from their bank, then the financial systems around the globe would collapse in a heartbeat. Even before electronic money, the financial system was easily and quickly  brought down to its knees. It's so weak and vulnerable.

It seems so, but isn't really. It's part of the plan. Money borrowed translates to money owed with interest. And it's with interest that is the important point. Money owed on top of virtual money. It's how the illusion of money creation works. The sum 2+2 implies the answer 4. But in the reality of truth does it?