Reader's answers!

I've been chatting with Alistair Darling.. well.. actually I couldn't get through. But if I had, I imagine he would have said:

"I'm a busy man, Cap, just make something up and pretend I said it. You know my thoughts better than me anyway! eh?! :)"

You're the boss, Ali!

So, Mr. Darling. What do you think about banker's bonuses?

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Well, the first thing to say is: its nice to be nice. I think its nice to be nice, and a lot of people think its nice that I think that. It's nice for me to know that.

When we get down to it, we should be nice to bankers. If they really have done their job well they'll get their reward in the next life.. or punishment! God forbid..

I really don't think we can run around killing bankers indiscriminately, and saying "God will know his own". That would be a return to Old Politics, and the old divisions between left and right. We're entering a new century with a new emphasis on consensus and understanding. Let's not punish bankers for their so-called misdeeds.. let's be nice to them. I guarantee everything will work itself out.

"

Interesting point, Alistair. I certainly agree that we can't go round indiscriminately murdering bankers. That would be the thin end of the wedge. Perhaps we could just increase income tax by a few percent.. damn the Laffer curve! Live dangerously!