This government is eroding democracy
THE letter regarding being unable to watch Spitting Image without further subscription touched a nerve.
I recall thinking back then when satellite dishes sprang up everywhere that we would be sorry for chasing the carrot dangled before us. What was once ours for a single licence fee is gone, unless you pay more for your sport, etc.
This was the era of Mrs Thatcher’s marriage to American ideology. All utilities sold off. No single price but complicated tariffs and the ‘joy’ of switching. Less going back to infrastructure as shareholders take their cut first. British Rail, although imperfect, is now unaffordable to many but still subsidised, I believe, by us taxpayers.
Whether Thatcher’s love of all things American was voluntary or whether her arm was twisted I don’t know, yet it began a new mindset of self-interest and greed and gave rein to a snobbery that fuelled the satellite dish storm amongst all classes.
Forty years on and look and listen all around you and witness the Americanisation of our culture.
The lady’s lure was ‘choice’, but do we have this? Global monopolisation by the super companies has rendered all shopping areas identical to the next. Big brands dominate and competition is so fierce integrity and global responsibility have been largely abandoned other than as yet another marketing ploy. On the same page, Mr Frampton wrote of Europe. Like British Rail, imperfect by a long chalk, yet it has halted the 900 years of slaughter. Single nations are easily picked off by the superpowers.
We still have to trade with Europe, surely it’s better to do so as friends than aloof separationists that coincidentally might make us even more beholden to our ‘friends’ across the pond.
I fear a repeat of the battles of
’84 with the mining communities reoccurring as the current rift with the North bears resemblance.
This government is eroding democracy by ignoring its processes. Its contracts are corrupt whilst they also control the watchdogs. Yet it promotes food and gambling to dominate our TVs ads, rendering us locked into lethargy and debt whilst they devise ever more ways to dig forever deeper into our pockets. cope with his success.
I can remember many times other pop singers and comedians making fun of him and imitating his singing and actions. However, he never let them influence him and, with the guidance and advice from his father, he has survived and ended up a much-admired entertainer.
I would like to think that Diane Abbott MP and the Archbishop of Canterbury will have taken the time to listen to the broadcast and taken on board the importance of a stable family life with two parents and a happy home which helped keep him free from drugs and drink.
Why Diane Abbott MP has to consider the ‘at home’ housewife a waste of space, I have no idea.
Being a mother, housewife and counsellor to a growing family is just as important as working full-time in industry and commerce, taking the work away from men. It would also mean that more youngsters would not be roaming the streets at night looking for drugs.
If our Government had more sense they would realise that by returning to the ‘one wage packet’ family more women would be able to stay home and be able to produce meals from ‘scratch’ instead of buying ready-made meals. Just think of the reduction in packaging from ready-cooked meals and the plastic packaging used that goes to waste.
Happy birthday Sir Cliff Richard – and thank you for a very interesting and revealing interview on the
Radio 2 programme Good Morning Sunday.
I still think you are the best performer today.