Sunday 28 November 2010

Recent Tory comments re the fiscal disincentives for the middle classes to breed and the incentives to breed for the working classes says it all regarding the contempt for us held by some of the current ruling political class. They should not be playing any significant part in the decision making that will soon affect us all. Regarding the recent comment that some people have never had it so good? Yes and they are still expecting a fat bonus for Christmas. None of them are facing redundancy and none of them face losing as much as twenty percent of their income as is potentially the case for many people legitimately receiving some form of disability benefit.
As the farce continues perhaps we can at least take some comfort from the likelihood there is no great conspiratorial, Illuminati styled group whose hand is on the tiller, steering this government to some Orwellian future. This lot are so clueless they are fortunately, more of a danger to themselves than they are to us and most of them will not be in post after the next election. We should let them know this at the earliest opportunity. Give them time to adjust to the new reality that they will have brought on themselves. As for the center ground we see it collapse a little more every day as the Lib Dems begin to reap the harvest of blatant betrayal. I for one will be interested to see how the Milliband brotherhood fares in view of new revelations pertaining to New Labour’s undoubted collusion with the rendering and torture of Coalition detainees. It was brother David who forcefully denied any involvement when questioned by journalists after the first signs of something rotten at the highest level.
The new Police policy to provide water and toilets for KETTLED demonstrators as was the case in Whitehall, London last week is very interesting. It is quite a good move to offer sustenance and comfort to those you have jailed, albeit temporarily. Is it a variation on the good cop bad cop theme? The message is – if you demonstrate in a way that causes little or no inconvenience and can be ignored by government we’ll look after you. If you don’t abide by this we will contain you and show you who is boss. Over time we will condition you into acceptance that our way is best.
I say take the street. Take water and high protein food, cereal bars etc. Take a sleeping bag in a small bag, a torch and something to read and make sure your mobile phone is charged so you can call people to let them know what is happening. Make it clear to the police that you don’t care for their idea that you are contained when in fact you are now occupying this section of the street and will stay there until you want to leave. Be polite but firm. The problem for KETTLED demonstrators is that they don’t expect to be detained. Go prepared and take up their time not the other way around. Take the streets. Turn the tables. A few pop up Gelert tents hidden inside placards would add to the fun as the KETTLED mass settled in for a twenty four hour sit in. I expect I might see you at one or two demos in the future so you bring the soup and I’ll bring the sandwiches. Cut back – fight back – cut back - fight back – cut back – cut back – fight back – fight back.

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Peace

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Very interesting take on kettling. make it a sit in , cool.
i also remember Millibands protestations that the UK was not involved in torture. A New labour liar and I'll bet there is more to come out.
Good luck with every thing. You are a breath of fresh air.
Dan.

Anonymous said...

There are many time wasters at university. There only because they do not have to pay for it. As I understand it students pay nothing until A) they complete their degree & B) they are earning over £21,000pa. I do not see a problem with this. The idea seems to be to free up monies to help ALL our children get a better start in life. What is the point in a university education for a few when some of our little ones struggle with the basics whilst living in virtual poverty. They won't read your blog as they won't have a computer. Incidently I am working class & I had a university education. On £21,000pa repayments would be £7 per week. Would I have gone to university if I had, had to pay? No!!!!!!!!!

With regards to your take on kettling where will you be pitching your tent? Maybe I could keep you company & we could discuss the situation with the students!

Ruth

Anonymous said...

Apologies my comment has repeated 4 times I do not know why that has happened I only pressed publish once but it will not allow me to delete the other 3. Did I say technology had progressed!

Ruth

Anonymous said...

Education should be free. END OF!!!!
Dazza

Anonymous said...

So you are quite happy to pay for someone to do a BA in tarot reading (as this is now available as a BA) while some parents cannot afford PE kits for their kids? Maybe the Tarot reading graduate could 'predict' when the parent might be able to afford a PE kit. Under the new proposed scheme it will cost a Uni student £7 a week. I commented earlier that I would have not paid for my BA Hons and that is because I would rather pay for PE kits or laptops for kids. One thing I studied at Uni was Charles Dickens novels but I could do that just as easy by going to my local DHSS and watch people say "Please Sir could I have some more benefit." Back to the Tarot reading BA yes I have chosen it because it illustrates the point. If university education should be free then you cannot start saying; well not Tarot BAs or Drama BAs etc as that would be to disadvantage the student who wanted to do the Tarot reading BA and set up as a self employed Tarot reader. so £7 a week gets you your Tarot reading BA and if the government are to be believed, which is of course doubtful, then the money will fund the education of ALL our children including their PE kits.



Ruth

Anonymous said...

A very interesting argument Ruth and you are right. The government are not to be believed and that is why the poor will not benefit from any part of this mess. On top of this the issue of broken promises to the student by the Lib dems in particular is as important as any other issue here.
Big Society? The poor will have less access and the vulnerable will be in peril.
Perhaps not every one can go to UNIVERSITIES and some could go to the COLLEGES, that were misguidely upgraded to UNIVERSITY status, to learn to read Tarot cards.
I trust you are using your BA Hons in the service of the poor.
Sam

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your comment Sam. Yes I am using my BA in the service of the poor.

I feel very strongly about university education being a waste of time and money as it breeds what I term a 'House of Lords' culture. Social gatherings are full of 'Here here' and 'yeah yeah' but nothing is ever done as people refuse to climb out of their safety zone. I can hold my own at any social gathering and am accepted as I have a university education behind me plus a shedload of other qualifications, incidently I also read Tarot cards though am not qualified! In the grand scheme of things what is more important is providing a good education for our little ones. An education that is fair and appropriate to todays world - the world they will be adults in. If we do not get this sorted in years to come NOBODY from our background, (I am taking it you are working class), will be even considering university as its not just about money its about getting in with A Levels. It is no good giving away free after dinner mints if they do not follow a substantial meal as they will merely give one heartburn.

Ruth

Anonymous said...

Hello,

I did not have a University education (I guess all the rich kids had filled the places) and find Ruth's comments rather confusing.

My children (who were lucky enough to find places based on intellect and not 'class') have been sold a 'bummer', They took loans at 0% interest and now they are charged interest. The goalposts have moved and the contract changed. It wouldn't be allowed in the shit street of the High Street.

7 quid? The loan remains outstanding like a great big fat mortgage. If you only breach the £15k income it's there forever, until you pay it. Would you like to have this over your head, preventing you buying a poxy overpriced flat, the loan constantly increasing and increasing? That's a great start for our 'little ones', thank you.

Before we go backwards, education is the basic right of a civilised society and should not be dependent on the ability to pay. Otherwise, let's go back to the aristocracy and send our kids into service where they'll understand their place.

Can't you see where the Tories are sending us?

I am sorry if I have misunderstood you Ruth. Tell me if I'm wrong.

Peace and repayments,

Paul by the sea.

Anonymous said...

Paul by the sea,

I am a true working class socialist. I have a £16,000 loan hanging over my head which goes up with every year due to the interest I was told I would not be charged. It is supposed to be the case that if it remains unpaid when I turn 50 it will be wiped off but thats a long way off for me. If my wages hit over a certain sum they will just take a few quid out. What I was getting at was a lot of stuff I learned at Uni I knew already it was just dressed up in clever words. Most of my fellow students spent most of their time in the bar which I could not afford to do but also it made me angry as they were never in lectures so why did they bother. They bothered just because they could. Some openly admitted it was merely postponing getting a job and added insult to injury by taking a gap year to go travelling. I think education is vital and should be free and fair. But please some people are walking around with a Phd in performing arts. I mean if you can act you can act if you are creative you are creative you cannot be taught things like that. I don't think Edgar Broughton weht to university he is naturally creative and hes used that creativity to get a message to people. We had retreats we could go on while I was at Uni. I would have loved to go to the one in Italy but no bloody way I could afford that. It was those who hung out in the Uni bar that could afford to go. What I meant was the new system will men it costs a Uni student £7 a week only repayable when they are earning over £21,000 surely its worth it and fair if someone, anyone, really wants a Uni education. Sure I move in different circles now but the job I do I could have done without a degree and will my eyes closed and one hand up my nose. It gave me a bit of paper to say I was clever. Thats worth about as much as a marriage certiicate is to anyone which is sod all!

To me fighting for Uni students is like fighting to save the Tate modern or the Royal family. Lets fight to save school cuts. Lets fight to give every child a fighting chance from their first day at school. If they want to go to Uni then its £7 a week, less than the cheapest itunes voucher. Or lets do it according to parents income if they are young students. It they are mature students then each person has to be looked at separately. To say nobody should pay for a Uni education is idealistic and stupid.

Ruth