Dirty politics in action
If I may be bold enough to comment on the state of the country without any political bias (note BBC!), I have to admit to being appalled at the situation.
On January 20, 1961, President Kennedy said: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country”.
It would do well if the “dirty politics” that are now taking place, and thus the politicians screwing the country for personal gain/self benefit, gave some thought to Kennedy’s words. Typically, those past their “use by” date, should either shut up, or should devote their declining years to the country that has given them wealth and riches – not to ignore more than likely, very generous pensions.
Also, it is now apparent that the educational system (and by implication, parents) has failed to steer the young to appreciate that a country has to earn money to pay for everything – just as Dad used to do in my youth, pointing out when allocating pocket money, that he could only afford what his earnings allowed, as those earnings had to cover all the needs of the whole family.
Digressing – Ted Heath once commented on “the ugly face of Capitalism” – he should see capitalism operating today! Little wonder at the despair of true socialists and perhaps Christians, who regrettably are unable to find a Party to represent them in the country.
Turning to last week’s letters page, I am always saddened to be reminded of poor animals – working or part of the food chain etc. This country is one of the few where much of the population is concerned about their health and welfare. It is a national disgrace that animals are still mistreated – their rights and treatment should be covered by strictly enforced Legislation, and the suitability of those handling animals must be checked and training enforced. Perhaps the cost of law enforcement could be covered by the cost of punishment for contravention. (Always a good principle until the “hangers-on” get involved.)
One comment on the police and their seeming absence from our scene. For many years, I have thought that the present structure of the police, perhaps outside the Met., should be as a national force – analogous with our excellent but disappearing Armed Forces.
Integration would ensure more proactive crime fighting and remove the silly local politics that occur between forces. The arguments
I have put forward for the “renationalisation” of the NHS (to what it was established as, not as a large number of empires), are similar, viz cut the vast and expensive bureaucracy and the numbers of expensive senior personnel.