The Guild 9-19-2002 Researchers find suicide rates rise under conservative rule

ABCNewsOnline ^ | 9-19-2002

[BigWaveBetty]

A study has found that suicide rates in Britain and Australia surged during the last century whenever conservative governments were in power.

University of Sydney researchers analysed suicide figures for New South Wales between 1901 and 1998, and compared them with the prevailing political regime.

When the Liberals or Nationals were in power, men were 17 per cent more likely to commit suicide than when Labor was in Government, while women were 40 per cent likelier to kill themselves.

In Britain, a team from Bristol University has found a similar trend.

Suicide rates were far lower under Labour Governments than under the Conservative Party.

They soared under Margaret Thatcher, who was Conservative Prime Minister from 1979 until 1990.

The researchers at Sydney University say possible factors include conservative parties' traditionally less interventionist approach than Labor on issues like health and welfare, which may cause a sense of exclusion among some people.

[BigWaveBetty]

We find out less than a week ago that at least 5 out of the 6 Buffalo terrorists arrested last week are registered democrats.

Now we get this vague study that really doesn't give any concrete evidence.

Smells very fishy to me.

[BigWaveBetty]

PREVIOUS THREADS

We are all doomed. ;-)

[Iowa Granny]

Doomed or not, I'm gonna fight like HE!! to keep Conservatives in office in Iowa. Another frantic day on the Homefront today. I'll check in as time allows.

[lodwick]

Nice work with the new thread - thank you.

What we really need to know is the party affiliation of those opting out - don'tcha think? This might not be a bad thing at all. ;-)

[BigWaveBetty]

Suicide rates were far lower under Labour Governments than under the Conservative Party.
They soared under Margaret Thatcher, who was Conservative Prime Minister from 1979 until 1990.

Can you believe this?

[MadIvan]

Can you believe this?

Obviously they didn't ask me. I felt more like jumping off of Putney Bridge when I saw my tax bill under Labour.

Fortunately there were enough Southern women around at the time saying "Swaaaytie" to make me change my mind. ;)

Regards, Ivan

[BigWaveBetty]

Me too! I think this is such a load.

Hoping today goes smoothly for you!

[BigWaveBetty]

Think you're right, but I wasn't gonna say it. heh heh heh!

[BigWaveBetty]

I can never remember how to spell Swaaaaytie, so you're just going to have to settle for Sugar from me.

And wanted you to know that now you've done it. I've tried so hard not to call you Sugar on every post (didn't want you to hurt yourself) to you but now that I know it could save your life, well you're just going to have to live with the bruises that come from falling out of your chair.

Have a lovely day you little Sugar pie, honey bunch. :-)

[Pippin]

GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY!!!!

[Iowa Granny]

Good Morning, Pip. How you have a loverly day.

[Iowa Granny]

Mad Ivan, you little "Honey Bunch", I think we should declare today Pile on Mad Ivan Day

Mad Ivan=Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch!

Let's do it, gang! (JL can be excused for this effort, except to comment on our creativity)

[Pippin]

Good Morning, IG!

I'm having a great day today!

[lodwick]

Thanks Gran - but Ivan, the force behind FreeBritannia, gets major props from here in CenTex - just no SugarPies.

Morning Pips - tomorrow's FRIDAY! ;-)

[MadIvan]

Thanks Gran - but Ivan, the force behind FreeBritannia, gets major props from here in CenTex - just no SugarPies

Actually I sold Free Britannia. How do you think I can spend so much time here? ;)

Regards, Ivan

[Pippin]

Good Morning, Loddy!

[BigWaveBetty]

Wow pippin, GOOD MORNING!!! :-)

[mountaineer]

Well, sweetpea, I was going to comment that you're just as darlin' and cute as a bug's ear, but it's time to take the cornbread out'n the oven and stir the grits. Maybe next time, sugar.

[MadIvan]

Well, sweetpea, I was going to comment that you're just as darlin' and cute as a bug's ear, but it's time to take the cornbread out'n the oven and stir the grits. Maybe next time, sugar.

I'll save that message in my archives. That will help me get through if - God forbid - there is a Hillary Clinton Administration. ;)

Regards, Ivan

[mountaineer]

Can't you just see the little thought bubble coming out of Blubba's head while the woman blahblahblahs about what she'd do if elected, "Would I do her? Why not? I've done worse-looking women. Heh heh heh. I remember that gal in Ft. Smith, no wait, it was Fayetteville ..."

(Real caption: Former President Clinton, left, looks on as Rhode Island Democratic gubernatorial candidate Myrth York, right, talks to fellow democrats during a fundraiser Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2002 in East Greenwich, R.I.)