*Shakes head and Head-desk*

Though I love politics – and openly state that I detest politicians – there is a time when you really, really have to wonder where those in power get their ideas from.

I could understand it if it were a matter that they believed in an alien invasion, the world coming to an end in 2012 or something that would should they had some form of mental deficiency – but this is not the case.

From the link:

The Senior Salaries Review Body review followed claims some peers abuse the £174-a-night overnight allowance.

It says overnight claims should be cut to £140 but daily allowances for office costs and food, worth up to £161.50, be replaced by the £200 attendance fee.

So – if I am not mistaken – if you have abused the expenses system, and as a rebuke, you get a 60 quid a day raise!?

And they, those parasites in power oft ask why people will not vote for them or understand that the “Upper” chamber is loathed and detested even more.

Can they not understand that it is because of moves like this? It is, as always – taking the piss and passing it off and reform.

Peers who attend the House of Lords every day it sits – an average of 150 days a year – could receive up to about £30,000 a year if they claimed the maximum attendance allowance.

When, oh when are we going to get some leaders – or just your average MPs with some balls who can see, and do something about this abuse? Managerial politics is killing the very art, and I know many-a-person who are getting very, very pissed off at what is going on within the walls of parliament.

Add to: Facebook | Digg | Del.icio.us | Stumbleupon | Reddit | Blinklist | Twitter | Technorati | Furl | Newsvine

If miracles are to happen …

… and New Labour were to pull off an election victory – they would appoint Mandelson as Minister of Propaganda.

Lord Mandelson is being tipped as a possible “minister for information” under a shake-up of the way Downing Street holds its media briefings announced today.

It is a position that would suit him well, after all he would not need to fight an election, he is an appointed “Lord”. Even though he has had to resign several times from other positions in government he is sticking this term out – no matter what.

But why would the country want a minister of information?

The first thing you have to look at is that Mandelson was a very good spin-doctor for a certain T. Blair, ‘member him? As MoI he would have the press eating out of his hands, something he likes. He would simply hold a press conference each week to tell the country what was happening within the government – yet, as the Guardian says, he would keep his title of business secretary…

Has Mandelson the high idea that he will be the president of the UK? I can see that idea appealing to him, too. After all, as many know the open secret, Mandelson is the de facto PM even now – but I could be wrong.

Add to: Facebook | Digg | Del.icio.us | Stumbleupon | Reddit | Blinklist | Twitter | Technorati | Furl | Newsvine

How do MPs calm public anger?

By accepting a report that is taking the piss!

The BBC has reported that MP will no longer have the luxury of claiming mortgage interest on their second homes – but will be able to claim rent. Who will they rent from and how much rent will they be allowed to claim?

These new proposals will take effect over a five year term – how lovely for those poor under-aid MPs. It would be good if they treated the general public with as much concern. On benefits, get a job, your payments stop or you are fined or worse, banged up. Yet, I don’t know of any MP that has even been charged with anything. Though, as it is in parliament-speak – they were all doing this within the rules, or so close to them no action will be taken.

Also in the report it is said to contain some sentiment about not being able to employ your family members – but this has brought anger from some who claim that you cannot tear up contracts. That would be a legal dispute.

Putting thousands of public service workers and Royal Mail staff on the dole is just fine, though!

One Tory wife who works for her husband and has done for a number of years points to the expenses scandal as a public misconception and that she, as well as others, work really hard for their crust from the public purse. I am sure she does – yet that isn’t what this whole thing was all about – or was it?

Add to: Facebook | Digg | Del.icio.us | Stumbleupon | Reddit | Blinklist | Twitter | Technorati | Furl | Newsvine

It was about fleecing the trough, that is what people were, and still are, angry about. See your Lawyers, take action in the courts – all that will do is show the public that you are willing to fight in the law courts to keep your hands on that public money – and that is whether it be Union lawyers of personal ones who take legal action.

Will you then wonder why people will turn their backs when Unions need public support? Don’t bet on it.

In my opinion the report does not go far enough and get nearly enough money back from MPs. Nor are these recommendation about to be brought in fast enough. I am not sure whether my opinion is in the majority – I just hope it is.

That money belongs to the tax payer – and should be paid back!

So Mr Smith, how many bedrooms do you have and who sleeps here?

At first I thought it was a joke – but no, it isn’t, it really, really isn’t.

Why would anyone who wanted to know the make up and the amount of people who lived in a country actually be asking who slept over the weekend at you home?

As if that made a blind bit of difference? All this is being asked of the British people come the next census in 2011. Odd don’t you think?

No so much the government:

For the first time, people will be asked to provide details of the number of bedrooms they have as well as the names, sex and birth dates of any overnight guests in their homes.

Other new questions include how well people can speak English, the date overseas nationals entered the UK, how people define their national identity and whether they are in civil partnerships.

Those who do not complete the census risk being prosecuted while those giving false answers face being fined.

Not that I am one to agree with the Tories on just about anything – but this is just a question(s) that is a true invasion of ones privacy.

Christ’s knows why they would want this information – and a nice “What the fuck has it got to do with you?” or “I have 12 elephants living in the loft!”

That would make them happy, no?

Add to: Facebook | Digg | Del.icio.us | Stumbleupon | Reddit | Blinklist | Twitter | Technorati | Furl | Newsvine

Tories want to deregulate TV by regulating the BBC

Fucking genius that one!

The Tory government would ‘rip up’ the BBC Royal Charter and will do something to regulate what the BBC can add to its website – I think that is what they are saying, analogies from the Tories are obscure at best.

Offering an example, he said: “It might sound well and good for them to have, say, an angling website, but if it drove out of business every angling magazine in the country, you would have to question if it was the right sort of thing to do.”

But what does this really mean?

Well, firstly, it will mean that they are pandering to their new friend Rupe. That was in the bag once The Sun had turned its back on New Labour.

As far as I know, Independent Television in the UK doesn’t have a charter – the BBC does, as this is the case the BBC can’t be biased, or can it? According to many-a-Tory the BBC has a massive liberal bias. How that is the case I am not sure – do they mean in news reporting or as a corporation as a whole? If the latter should be the case what about certain independent corporations that have a massive right-wing agenda?

Not so much.

Tories demand bias rule in BBC charter

The BBC is facing demands from the Government (Tory at the time, Saturday, 29 July 1995) to insert a clause governing impartiality into its charter as part of the renewal process which is nearing completion.

As you can see, this isn’t exactly new – except that the Tories are always on the attack regarding the BBC. If the Beeb should come out and simply say they are going to give the Tories free reign to say and do anything on their channels – the Tories would back off. It is precisely because the Beeb doesn’t do that; that they are attacked so much.

Jeremy Hunt told the Financial Times that the corporation was “out of touch with the hard times the rest of the electorate is going through”.

Yet, of course, David (multi-millionaire) Cameron is? With all his Eton pals?

Give me a break!

Add to: Facebook | Digg | Del.icio.us | Stumbleupon | Reddit | Blinklist | Twitter | Technorati | Furl | Newsvine

Congratulations President Obama on the Nobel Peace Prize — Now Please Earn it! :Michael Moore

Dear President Obama,

How outstanding that you’ve been recognized today as a man of peace. Your swift, early pronouncements — you will close Guantanamo, you will bring the troops home from Iraq, you want a nuclear weapon-free world, you admitted to the Iranians that we overthrew their democratically-elected president in 1953, you made that great speech to the Islamic world in Cairo, you’ve eliminated that useless term “The War on Terror,” you’ve put an end to torture — these have all made us and the rest of the world feel a bit more safe considering the disaster of the past eight years. In eight months you have done an about face and taken this country in a much more sane direction.

But…

The irony that you have been awarded this prize on the 2nd day of the ninth year of our War in Afghanistan is not lost on anyone. You are truly at a crossroads now. You can listen to the generals and expand the war (only to result in a far-too-predictable defeat) or you can declare Bush’s Wars over, and bring all the troops home. Now. That’s what a true man of peace would do.

There is nothing wrong with you doing what the last guy failed to do — capture the man or men responsible for the mass murder of 3,000 people on 9/11. BUT YOU CANNOT DO THAT WITH TANKS AND TROOPS. You are pursuing a criminal, not an army. You do not use a stick of dynamite to get rid of a mouse.

The Taliban is another matter. That is a problem for the people of Afghanistan to resolve — just as we did in 1776, the French did in 1789, the Cubans did in 1959, the Nicaraguans did in 1979 and the people of East Berlin did in 1989. One thing is certain through all revolutions by people who wish to be free — they ultimately have to bring about that freedom themselves. Others can be supportive, but freedom can not be delivered from the front seat of someone else’s Humvee.

You have to end our involvement in Afghanistan now. If you don’t, you’ll have no choice but to return the prize to Oslo.

Yours,

Michael Moore

MichaelMoore.com

P.S. Your opposition has spent the morning attacking you for bringing such good will to this country. Why do they hate America so much? I get the feeling that if you found the cure for cancer this afternoon they’d be denouncing you for destroying free enterprise because cancer centers would have to close. There are those who say you’ve done nothing yet to deserve this award. As far as I’m concerned, the very fact that you’ve offered to walk into the minefield of hate and try to undo the irreparable damage the last president did is not only appreciated by me and millions of others, it is also an act of true bravery. That’s why you got the prize. The whole world is depending on the U.S. — and you — to literally save this planet. Let’s not let them down.

Add to: Facebook | Digg | Del.icio.us | Stumbleupon | Reddit | Blinklist | Twitter | Technorati | Furl | Newsvine

Now this is a job to have!

Now that is recession proof pay!

Add to: Facebook | Digg | Del.icio.us | Stumbleupon | Reddit | Blinklist | Twitter | Technorati | Furl | Newsvine

£600m windfall for private firms

Nice pick up that.

How do these firms qualify for a piece of a £600m pie? Make sure that those who are on incapacity benefit get back to work or that they qualify for a cut of 25 quid a week.

All this, of course, in the time when jobs in the UK are – let’s say – a little sparse. Yet, that means nothing to both New Labour or the Conservatives. It means getting the benefit scroungers off the higher paying incapacity benefit and you can pay a company to provide training and evidence that those damned scroungers should be getting as much money.

This, in the face of giving the top percentage – in the guise of promoting saving – a gift of increasing the tax threshold on inheritance tax. This is by Dave Cameron’s “caring Conservatives”.

He, and the Tories, could care less for those who are poor – or sick for that matter. He was born into a family who could send him to Eton – why should he care? You can bet that the private company that get those off incapacity benefit will be a Conservative Party donater.

The idea is for private training firms to be employed to prepare the unemployed for work and also to assess all 2.6m people on incapacity benefit to see what work they might be able to do.

The initial start-up cost of the change would be £600m, the Tory leader said.

The Tories say they would cover the cost of the scheme by transferring more people from incapacity benefits to Jobseekers’ Allowance.

Yep, it does mean that D-Cam is looking out for the vulnerable in UK society – as much as New Labour have. Is this, then, any wonder that there is so many who distrust D-Cam and his minions? Is it any wonder that people do believe that having a Conservative government will be nothing more than ‘more of the same’ or worse?

We will see, or in my opinion, we won’t – what the Tories are going to offer policy-wise in the up and coming general election campaign. It will not be as effective in overturning the illiberal policies that New Labour have brought to bare. It will be repackaged New Labour policies.

Add to: Facebook | Digg | Del.icio.us | Stumbleupon | Reddit | Blinklist | Twitter | Technorati | Furl | Newsvine

What will Murdoch want in exchange?

The Sun tabloid has changed sides – though that seems a little dubious because New Labour and the Conservatives are joined at the hip. The Sun has backed New Labour for the last 12 years of government and now they are going to endorse the Tories – no real surprise there.

But because of this – we have to start asking what will Murdoch Inc expect in return?

It is almost nailed on that the BBC will come under more fire so I can see – as this is a love/hate relationship – the BBC will be one of the first places for decimation when – and if – the Tories come to power.

They are still odds on favourites to take the government benches.

Of course The Sun will now begin its attacks on New Labour and Gordon Brown in particular. Though this will mean New Labour will have to really start to fight, I can’t see them getting another tabloid in place to get across their message – yet, with that, I have to ask if this is a bad thing.

New Labour has to die a complete and utter death. Only then will the Tories be seen for who they are and a new left party can come into being. “Old” Labour would have been chomping at the bit to have a go at New Labour and her Tory sister. And that will need to happen in the future.

Where will that “new” left come from? That I have no idea about at the moment. But, as was tabled today – a party that will be setting aside group homes for young mothers to be Matroned needs not to be a part of British society.

I do detest New Labour and all that it currently stands for – that little snippet and the fact that New Labour will still carry forward its illiberal policies has sealed the deal for me. And I hope for millions of UK voters. I do still stand by the LibDems – I do feel that it is about time that people really did give them a chance. Even if only for one term so they can bring back a lot of the liberties lost and a real electoral voting change.

New Labour and the Tories have crippled the UK over the last 30 years – now really is a time for change. It is up to the LibDems to get out and fight not for themselves – but for the British people and the British soul.

Add to: Facebook | Digg | Del.icio.us | Stumbleupon | Reddit | Blinklist | Twitter | Technorati | Furl | Newsvine

Want to stop your son becoming gay?

I do read some interesting stuff – oft I will watch a bit of it, too.

But – one thing the family values people are saying is – to say the least – very, very interesting indeed!

What you do to stop your son looking at the old dirty pictures is tell him that it will make you gay! Simple, done, dusted!

I bet you can guess that Sen Pawlenty (Plenty), if chosen to run against Obama come 2012 will be using as much of that Reagan stuff as possible. The GOPers – and the affiliated nut-cases – will hark back to the good (read really, really bad) old days when Reagan waltzed into the White House – and even today the world is feeling the ramifications of that one – and became US president.

Let’s hope that Americans will see the benefit of having Obama as president and therefore elect him with a greater majority.

Add to: Facebook | Digg | Del.icio.us | Stumbleupon | Reddit | Blinklist | Twitter | Technorati | Furl | Newsvine

When Republicans say…

… that the American people are better off – economically – under a Republican administration, they are off on that planet Barney Frank talked about, because it is simply not the case.

How do we know this?

Well, as simply put as possible – you just have to look at the figures.

Here.

Here.

Here.

And here.

Not convinced? Well why not? Those are official figures – they are showing that GDP grows more under a Democrat administration, taxes come down, social programs are better paid for and – and this is the kicker – deficit comes down.

Take the woeful president Reagan: He raised the deficit and then it was raised again by the next Republican. No new taxes, indeed! It was only when Clinton came into office – or left it we should say, did the US actually have accounts in the black!

What happened then? G W Bush happened – and when he left office? You know that part of history.

The only people who get decidedly wealthier while a Republican is in office – the top 1 to 10%.

How then, is that better for the working-class or, indeed, the middle class?

Obama has, as one of his first actions as president, reduced taxes for 95% of the American workers/middle-class! Rather than shouting him down the Right should be singing his praise because he has already done what they want from a government.

What he also inherited, Obama that is, was an American economy that was tail-spinning into oblivion because of Reaganomic policies followed by G W Bush!

That has almost been turned around.

Does there need to be efficiencies? Of course – no one will argue that. But, and this is what irks me more than most things in debating economics – the Right keep telling ‘the people’ that the only way to cut deficits is to cut spending. If, and that is a BIG if, it was as easy as that there would never be a problem – for anyone. You cannot conduct a national economy the same way you balance your chequeing account!

If you did, the economy would be dead within a week!

We pay taxes for a lot of things – how we utilise that money is what counts. If there are not taxes there is no anything, no police, no schools, and no roads ad infinitum.

Middle-class and working-class republicans vote against themselves, their own self-interest – which, to me, doesn’t seem that much of Republicanism at all.

As for being fiscally conservative – there isn’t any evidence that this is the case either. Republican administrations spend what they don’t have – and then give away (spend government incomes) even more in tax cuts for the rich.

That is just nuts!

Add to: Facebook | Digg | Del.icio.us | Stumbleupon | Reddit | Blinklist | Twitter | Technorati | Furl | Newsvine

Just saying sorry isn’t good enough

OK, you buy a car company for, say 10 quid, seems reasonable?

Though, while I thought about it – that isn’t the lead into a daft joke, it’s true. But buying the company for a tenner was supposed to be a way of saving the company and keeping the 6000 people employed who were later laid off because the car company failed.

But there’s more:

A report found the men pocketed an “unreasonable” £42m in pay and perks.
The Phoenix Four blame Labour for Rover’s collapse but Lord Mandelson said ministers had been “faultless”.

Read that again – £42 million pounds!

As for faultless – who sold the sodding company for a tenner, Mandy?

It isn’t that 6000 people lost their jobs, although that is bad enough, but Rover was supposed to pay its creditors, too. That is more people who could effectively be out of work because of four men lining their pockets.

Yet – what irks me the most – the serious fraud office (police) won’t be opening an investigation into this. They are away scott free!

How they did it.

In May 2000, the Phoenix consortium – John Towers, Nick Stephenson, Peter Beale and John Edwards – acquired the business for nothing (well, a nominal £10) from BMW. And because BMW wanted shot of this loss-making motor manufacturer, the German company endowed it with £75m (in lieu of warranties) and an interest free 49-year loan of £427m.

This is not a tale of industrial success. However, as I mentioned last night, Messrs Beale, Edwards, Stephenson and Towers each pocketed £9m (give or take a few thousand) between 2000 and 2005 and Mr Howe received £5.7m.

The inspectors describe the remuneration as “unreasonably large” for a whole host of reasons, such as:

(1) the financial performance of the business was lamentable;
(2) the executives risked only paltry sums of their own money;
(3) they had never in the past been paid anything like this for their alleged business skills.

How did they get the money out?

Well the loss-making operating company, MG Rover Group, which made the cars, was separate from the company that held the loan from BMW, Techtronic. Now, although the loan from BMW was interest-free, Techtronic charged interest on the loans it made to Rover.

Hey presto: Techtronic generated a profit, even though Rover was incurring losses.

And Techtronic paid dividends to another company, Phoenix Venture Holdings, which in turns rewarded Towers et al.

You can read the rest of the blog post here.

So, with all that evidence – they still walk away with vast sums of money and no one will do anything about it?

You have to begin to wonder why it is that business men and women this day and age feel they can do what they like with no consequence.

Mandleson believes they should say sorry. Well that’s going to put the fear of God into all those other businesses who are flipping the finger then isn’t it!

Twat!

Add to: Facebook | Digg | Del.icio.us | Stumbleupon | Reddit | Blinklist | Twitter | Technorati | Furl | Newsvine

When do-gooding becomes lunacy!

I don’t care who you are – there are times when you read something and you just think ‘what the fuck were/are they thinking?’

This is one of those times.

Now, in the UK you may just get by with a smashed in face – in totally crazy places like the US – you will die!

Mock muggings should be staged across the UK to test the public’s willingness to aid victims and report crimes, a charity has said.

The group Witness Confident says it wants to challenge a “walk-on-by” culture to street crime.

It says the disengagement of the criminal justice systems makes it harder for communities to fight crime.

Mock or pretend muggings – just to see how people will react? Are you nuts!?

What will they advocate next – a pretend child abduction?

Guy Dehn, head of the charity, said it had come up with a dozen ways that people could quickly make a difference.

These include faking incidents in broad daylight to see how people react.

“Mock muggings can be a way of working with the police to test public reaction,” said Mr Dehn.

“Don’t be a have-a-go-hero unless you really know what you are doing. But if you are there and can take a photo safely, then that can make the difference.”

Sweet mother of Jesus!

Guy – I just hope upon hope you really don’t do this. At all. Ever.

Add to: Facebook | Digg | Del.icio.us | Stumbleupon | Reddit | Blinklist | Twitter | Technorati | Furl | Newsvine

Socialism on a bus route

Is it capitalism or socialism when a company owned by another company who then states it will not provide a social necessity unless they are subsidised by the public purse?

It is often said here and elsewhere that capitalism should be allowed to run its course because that is the only way forward. There are those, either they don’t have a social bone in their body – don’t understand that not everyone can afford a car of their own (irony) – cannot drive a car because of a multitude of reasons – don’t understand economics – are indoctrinated – or they simply will not look at the world as it really is.

Greyhound Canada, which is a subsidiary of Dallas, Texas-based Greyhound Lines Inc., which in turn is owned by Cincinnati-based FirstGroup America, has given 30 days’ notice that it will halt service in Manitoba, and the 90 days that are required in Ontario.

As of Dec. 2, it will no longer offer service north of Sault Ste. Marie through to Saskatchewan, a spokeswoman for the bus line said.

Source: calgaryherald.com

When you get to Canada there is one overwhelming feeling – its vastness. Canada is beyond big, it is enormous! So, if you don’t have a car or any other vehicle how to you travel? You could, I suppose, get a horse and cart. But, as we all know, it would take days to travel between A and B.

Buses are something then that people need. Not want – need! And this is where we have a problem with Greyhound cancelling routes – they are doing this because they say that the routes are not profitable. That is capitalism at its bare, nakedness. In capitalism people don’t matter – and this is not a new phenomenon.

Published: September 22, 1985

New York will give Greyhound Lines Inc. $416,000 to continue service on 12 routes linking 100 upstate communities under an agreement intended to avert threatened cancellations, the state said.

State officials acted after the United States Interstate Commerce Commission gave Greyhound permission to drop routes if it was unable to work out a new subsidy arrangement with the state.

Greyhound, which has received a state subsidy on some routes since 1983, had sought permission to discontinue four routes affecting 28 upstate communities.

Source: nytimes.com

From this we can see that Greyhound has been receiving State subsidies for at least a quarter of a century. If States can fund bus routes – or at least subsidise them, then that isn’t your naked capitalism, free market thinking – only the free market can do what government can’t – and do it more efficiently and deliver a service with little waste and a profit.

That is borderline socialism – of private companies who cannot do it alone.

With a wild sweep across the board we then come to today’s current favourite – healthcare. If the States can support bus routes for people, why can they then not support a public option in healthcare? Albeit one that is, in fact, a non-profit company with those in that public option paying a premium to the company – so not really subsidised by the State, unlike a free market bus company.

Socialism is rife in the US and Canada, then – it must be with the evidence we are given – but not a socialism for the people to get the services they need – a socialism for corporations to get their hands on public money because their business model has failed.

Americans who are willing to pay their taxes for buses to run but not allow a company to form so that a need can be filled, a dire need, and this argument is shouted from the rooftops, literally.

You are willing to help those monoliths who cannot subsidise themselves but not willing to help the most needy of all your compatriots?

Why do I find something very wrong in that?

Add to: Facebook | Digg | Del.icio.us | Stumbleupon | Reddit | Blinklist | Twitter | Technorati | Furl | Newsvine

A small blueprint for democacy

This was written by Kelsie and I appreciate him letting me use it.

I was recently accused of being “nothing but a bitcher/moaner–a blacklister of things wrong with America” while offering no solutions or ideas for reform.

These are laid out in response to that accusation: a few ideas that I feel would make the American democracy stronger and, shockingly, more democratic:

1. Abolish the electoral college.
The College is an antiquated institution unnecessary in an era of instantaneous mass communication. It bears no relation to the actual number of votes cast and distorts perceptions of the public will. The Constitution would be amended to alter relevant sections of Article II to allow for the direct election of the Chief Executive.

2. Reorient the Congressional power structure around the House of Representatives.
The House of Representatives is, of the two chambers of Congress, the body closest to the people. Thus, hand over many of the powers delegated to the Senate through Article I to the House, where the will of the people is most evident and where the people can more readily exercise oversight in the appointment of, for example, members of the Supreme Court. The Senate would instead function as it was arguably originally intended: as a brake and deliberative assembly on legislation, rather than assuming the dictatorial role it has over the lawmaking process.

Will this politicise the lawmaking process? Yes–but arguably no more than it already is. The House of Representatives, with its higher proportion of minorities and women, also arguably better reflects the makeup of the country (although this is by no means an optimal reflection) than does the predominately white, male Senate.

Finally: vastly increase the membership of the House: cap the median district size at around 25,000-30,000 people.

3. Impose term limits on the Congress
End the era of the “safe seat,” of the Robert Byrds and Strom Thurmonds. Force regular change and turnover on the Congress: cap senators at two terms each (twelve years, longer than any two presidential elections); representatives at five terms (ten years).

4. Establish a mandatory retirement age on the Supreme Court.
For the same reasons as above: end the era of the appointment-until-senility. Require justices to vacate their office at age 70 or 75.

5. Remove the “natural-born” requirement for the Presidency.
Self-explanatory.

6. Require all deployments of troops in other than declared federal emergencies to be subject to the Congress
End the Tonkin Gulf Resolution and its enduring spirit. Check the power of the executive by limiting his/her ability to deploy combatant troops overseas for any reason, at any time, without a vote of one or both houses of the Congress.

7. Smash K Street
Make illegal ALL donations of any amount or any kind from lobbying or special interest groups to any element of the political system. Force lobbying/special interest entities to engage their representatives on the same level as ordinary citizens. End special privileges for corporations or niche institutions.

8. Reform the process of elections and campaigning: break up the two-party system
A huge issue. Offer state and federal funding to a range of candidates (how they would be determined is a wholly separate can of worms), and require equal airtime via television and radio for third and fourth (and fifth and sixth) parties. Impose federal qualification standards nationwide, ending the ability of individual states to de jure limit the ballot for US Congressional elections to the two parties alone.

Add to: Facebook | Digg | Del.icio.us | Stumbleupon | Reddit | Blinklist | Twitter | Technorati | Furl | Newsvine

RIP Ted!

Ted Kennedy has died – I for one will miss him.

A great American.

(CNN) — Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy, the patriarch of the first family of Democratic politics, died Wednesday at his home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, after a lengthy battle with brain cancer. He was 77.

“We’ve lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever,” a family statement said. “We thank everyone who gave him care and support over this last year, and everyone who stood with him for so many years in his tireless march for progress toward justice.”

Add to: Facebook | Digg | Del.icio.us | Stumbleupon | Reddit | Blinklist | Twitter | Technorati | Furl | Newsvine

What bollocks!

Whinging MPs really get my goat!

Margaret Beckett says this:

“Firstly, I’ve been an MP on and off for 35 years.

Members of parliament face costs that are not incurred by people “in other walks of life”

Really?

Well that would be a diddums now wouldn’t it! Then we look at her expense claims:

Mrs Beckett claimed second home allowances of £72,537 from 2004 to 2008, despite having no mortgage or rent to pay on her constituency home in Derby.

Again, we ask, who else “in other walks of life” get that kind of generosity from the public purse? Why is it that MPs feel they are a special case, and taking into account that they are paid a massive wage for just being an MP.

Does she, and all those other MPs think that the general public don’t think they are over-paid as it is? Making a case for more money for MPs isn’t going to wash – all people have to do is look at how much they are paid, simple, simple, simple.

Don’t like the wage – then don’t do the job. As for intimating that the wage brings quality – it is laughable – look at the quality of MPs for the last – what – 20 years?

‘Sacrifice of MPs’

Mrs Beckett also said that she had not expressed a view on what Sir Christopher’s committee should recommend.

“But they should have as clear an understanding as possible of what implications there could be of their decision, particularly for people who don’t live in London and who have children,” she said.

“I say yes, we need to look at a better system. But we need to have as much fact available as possible to those making the proposals.

The “facts” are that MPs are paid too much as is, they should be paid 25k a year if they are to claim expenses, seems fair. Keep the 65k they get now if not. Or, as I say – leave parliament for another job, see how much you will be paid then – and do your second jobs etc.

Some people “in other walks of life” have to do 2, 3, 4 jobs just to make ends meet!

Talk about being out of touch!

And other bollox!

X Factor picture paints a thousand words about TV sexism

Drop dead gorgeous Cheryl Cole and Dannii Minogue couldn’t have been any more high-gloss if they’d had a going-over in Dulux.

Then there’s Louis Walsh looking as if it’s the morning after the night before.

So, it is sexism to see two beautiful women dressed to the nines, and two middle-aged men dressing down but not sexism calling them, or indicating that they, are scruffy bastards? Add to that, this:

And as for Simon (Cowell)! I’ve seen those T-shirts on Blackpool market and they don’t look any better there.

But I love Simon and if he’d only asked, I’d have happily run an iron over it for him.

Who said sexism wasn’t a one-way street, well done Colleen!

Add to: Facebook | Digg | Del.icio.us | Stumbleupon | Reddit | Blinklist | Twitter | Technorati | Furl | Newsvine

Not often you will get me agreeing with the Scot’s

But really – Americans are going ballistic about a dying guy getting the right to die with his family. Some, I have seen elsewhere, saying that they will boycott everything Scottish – and some even saying that they will willingly spit in the face of any Scotsman they meet in the US.

Well – that’s fine – if you want a broken nose.

My beef has never been with the Scottish people per sa, rather the SNP and the call for Scottish independence – all I say is if Scotland wants to be independent male it official and stop taking money out of the Union and stand alone.

But, and lets be real here – many Scot’s believe Abdelbaset al-Megrahi did not commit the atrocity of Lockerbie. And, under Scottish Law, which all agreed (including the US) he should be tried, dictates that you can appeal to get out of prison under special circumstances – especially if you have been told you are about to drop dead.

The dancing and flag waving at his return was, in our eyes, a bit over the top – yet we have to look at those who have been brought home by US politicians to a heroes welcome to the US. You can go back to the 1960s with Gary Powers. He was on a spying mission and the US went ballistic when he came home.

There are many others in history where this is the case, is that right – or do we bend to American sensibilities at home-comings?

I always find it best to sit back and ponder when it comes to nationalism – for it is proven that with raw emotion you get things very wrong very quickly.

We need to find out who commented the crime that was the bombing of flight 103 – and, personally, I think that will be a revelation to people who are willing to look at the facts. 270 people lost their lives and it is up to all concerned to find out the truth even today – because the wrong that is imprisoning a person who did not commit a crime is etched in the books of law, even in the US.

Before condemning a whole nation, look to thyself and judge.

And, if you don’t want to visit Scotland because of their laws – then don’t, boycott as you wish – but don’t be too surprised when the Scot’s then hit back and tell you that they don’t want you there.

Add to: Facebook | Digg | Del.icio.us | Stumbleupon | Reddit | Blinklist | Twitter | Technorati | Furl | Newsvine

Are some Americans THAT dumb?

Even TV presenters?

Do not get me wrong – I KNOW that the majority of Americans are not that dumb – they “get it” there is a problem with the healthcare system but, and for the LOVE OF GOD, why do you have to keep smacking some Americans with a wet fish to make them come to their senses, I quote:

“I believe that there is a health care crisis, I really do,” she told me from a dentist chair in the clinic. “Do I believe that the government needs to be more involved? No! Because I think that they just — whenever they get their fingers in the pot it just kind of turns black.”

What!?

See my other post about how the government is involved and its going decidedly dandy! Medicare? Medicaid? Police forces, fire fighters – even the fucking military!

What about NASA – that’s pretty good isn’t it?

The woman quoted doesn’t have insurance – so she goes to this clinic that is, get this, 50% public funded. Erm….?

She can’t afford insurance – so like I mean – DUH!

I should, at this point, get the wet trout out!

Lewis is publisher of The Mountain Pioneer, a monthly newspaper focusing on the outdoors, and he says people around here are just fed up with the mounting federal tab that’s being racked up in Washington.

“We’ve just spent so much money on the stimulus and the TARP,” Lewis said, noting that Social Security and Medicare are projected to be bleeding red ink soon too. “And then we’re going to add another huge entitlement in terms of the public option.”

So, this gimp would be okay with Reagan spending all those billions and billions bringing down communism? Quite – especially now that those TARP funds and stimulus are monies borrowed from a communist State!

No, don’t let a bureaucrat get in the way of you and your doctor, just let a CEO get in the way – or you could go to a clinic that is part funded by the public – because you don’t have insurance.

I despair!

How about each and every working American pays 10% of their wages into a fund – lets call it a US MedicInsure Fund – and when they go to the doctor, or hospital ER – they don’t have a deductible – they just get treated and off they jolly well go. Business also pays, all of them, 10% into that fund, no more fighting to get your people insured, all is done.

Let’s say then – those payments are out to offer to the best insurance company that comes up with the best coverage for all. Of course they must cover everyone and all those pre-existings.

I wonder how much of a fight there would be from the insurance companies to get their hands on that kind of income?

If anyone would like to draw up the figures for that 10% – by all means do, I can’t be bothered – but I do know it would be one hell of a lot of dosh!

Add to: Facebook | Digg | Del.icio.us | Stumbleupon | Reddit | Blinklist | Twitter | Technorati | Furl | Newsvine

Ok, it is now time to concede that private business should run healthcare – but read on…

Now, being the person I am I know when to give up a fight – and maybe it is about time that one side of the healthcare debate gave it up – but should it be the Obama side; saying that private business is the best way forward.

There are many who believe this. So much so that they will attack, albeit verbally, one of their strongest allies in the process i.e. the UK. Specifically the UK NHS – which was a bloody stupid thing to do taking into account that the British, or at least most of them, love the NHS.

So, who really should skulk into the closet with their tail between their legs?

Is it business: Private business where so many are screaming blue murder at town halls?

We could always look at what government can do and what business can do, eh?

Recently – I am sure that you remember it – we, the world and especially the USA, had a financial breakdown. The banks, those banks that are or were free and private and big business, so big that the government had to bail them out. Was that free market business doing its best to get a few dollars into the pockets of its customers – or were they just charging the earth and fleecing their customers to procure enormous profit for a few who sat on the board?

Was it then private business who made a total bollox of what they were supposed to do best – because of greed and profit – who almost brought the US to its knees? And, as I have said – begged the government to get them out of the shit?

Was it not also the insurance companies like AIG who begged the government to keep them afloat because they made some serious mistakes?

If private business is so good at doing their job – why was there a financial crisis in the first place?

The US government got a man to the moon – and HMOs won’t pay out on what they are supposed to cover you for?

And some don’t trust the government to do what they are supposed to do? Some are correct in doing so. But if your insurance company could get a man to the moon I bet you would be impressed – but your not impressed that your government wants to make insurance companies do what they should be doing?

Who’s the odd one out?

At least in this – it isn’t the Obama administration.

Add to: Facebook | Digg | Del.icio.us | Stumbleupon | Reddit | Blinklist | Twitter | Technorati | Furl | Newsvine