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Do you feel consulted by the government?

They don't come and knock on asking for me to read through their proposed bills over a pot of tea, but I feel consulted yes.

As well as the now dated methods of local surgeries, press releases and a dedicated TV channel showing me what they are doing at work for me, they now have extensive websites, tweets, feeds, YT Channels etc. That is their side of the bargain and it costs us (tax payers) quite a lot to have so much coverage and access to that information. The other side of that deal is that if you don't like what they are doing or proposing you are supposed to let them know - but I suspect that silence is generally taken as agreement.

I don't mind it this way. Though it's a crying shame that so many choose to empower corrupt politicians, devalue their own active participation and accelerate their own loss of personal responsibility by not playing their part.

I am far more concerned about Camerons "big society" plan to "take power away from politicians and give power back to the people". Because I don't for one minute think that means that the politicians are going to help us cut spending by quitting Westminster and getting another job. I expect they have worked out that adding another layer distances themselves from blame and ought make them more palatable in the short term. I expect that it will become just another layer of public office, filled with men in short aprons and CP types that will fall on a sword when someone needs to take a hit. But what bothers me most, I expect this may be the final effort in being 'seen' to cater democracy to the 'great unwashed' - after all, for the most part we don't show any interest in taking part! Can you seriously claim that they haven't done 'all in their power' to represent you? Maybe all the press releases can stop after they "give power back to the people". You may no longer need to know anything 'important' - your representative could do that for you!

Do I feel consulted by the government? At present, yes.
Do I feel the consulted represent themselves? No.

Much as I have come to mistrust politicians, I just can't come to blame them for not representing the generally mute UK electorate. Painful as that is to admit, Brits need to catch onto the fact that we have to do more than choose not to vote every now and then to be heard!

Democracy is something you take part in. Tyranny is something you complain about.

Peace & Best Wishes

Freegionnaire

The cost of irresponsibility?

It hasn't taken many generations of spoiled kids bringing up spoiled kids to end up with an adult population that acts like it needs nappies. And some people wonder why those that govern (read take on your responsibilities) have become lazy, greedy and treat us like fools that don't know what's best for them. The mass they govern act like naughty kids and so the response is to enforce rules and regulations to try to keep the brats inline. Do the kids even know what freedom is anymore?

Of course they do. It's the world cup on a 5 foot plasma TV and a reclining sofa from DFS(interest free until Dec 2012) - but only if you can shut the Ritalin munchers away in another room with the latest x-station game. A four pack of Stella in the fridge, Cora on series link on the Sky+ and a blister pack of 'brufen for the morning and that's freedom right there in your living room.

A look at the Isle of Man and how it works day to day is a pointer to what a society can do when it chooses to and it's based (at least in part) on personal responsibility. For example there's no MOT on the island, it's your responsibility to keep your vehicle road worthy. If it's not and you cause an accident you will loose what ever you own to pay for what you have done because your insurance will be void. The Police walk around, in and out of pubs and chat with people. You respect them for it and they show respect to you. When a gang of you are hanging around
chatting after the pub closes they will wander up, join in the chat and eventually move you on - respectfully. You act like adults, they act like adults and everyone treats everyone else like adults. I'm sure many mainland UK residents can't imagine it.

What's the cost of the 'freedom' not to be bovvered costing us eh? A cartload more than the cost of being personally responsible I'd suggest.

But what has irresponsibility actually cost the UK as a society? Well aside from the financial costs passed on to the taxpayer to fund most of it we have round the clock armed Police guards protecting Westminster 24/7 from a group of mountain based terrorists in Pakistan. We have intrusive air and sea port security. CCTV everywhere. Traffic wardens & bouncers given 'extra' responsibilities to help 'Police' the streets. The right to freely gather in public (section 63) taken away. The right to be safe walking the streets reduced dramatically. The right to let our kids enjoy childhood and grow up in their own time. The right to good food. The opportunity to support our families eroded. The freedom to be proud of your home country demonised (unless you leave that country). The freedom to holiday when it suits you. Etc. Etc.

In short it's cost us the freedom to take part in deciding what we want for ourselves.

In return we now have the omnipotent God of Money passing on his 'word' through his corporate Diocese and over to the needy people via retail outlets in every town and city. His ministers are sales reps and the bishops of the faith are politicians. The message is to buy because you need. The prayer is to look like you have more than your nieghbour. The alter is a wall mounted plasma (big is best). The commandments are:

1. I am the currency your God.
2. Thou shalt not worship another method of payment.
3. Thou shalt not blaspheme your Gods name.
4. Remember thy Sunday opening hours, use them fully.
5. Spend hugely on thy mother and father.
6. Thou shalt not haggle for discounts.
7. Thou shalt not buy from the charity shop.
8. Thou shalt not worry about debt.
9. Thou shalt not hide thy spending from thy nieghbour.
10. Thou shalt covet thy neighbours apparent purchasing power.

AM I bovvered? Yeah. I'm livid and if you aren't I'd say you don't pay enough attention to what's happening around you!

Peace & Best Wishes

Freegionnaire