WATCH AND WEEP

 

The nature of politics and governments, is to grow and intrude on every aspect of life.

The deceit of politics is: “of the people, by the people, for the people”, however, as we now know, the lie of politics is that 'your vote matters' and that 'you can make a difference!'

Watch this compilation of our politicians and try to justify their deceit.

Personally, I am shocked that a Westminster politician would ever lie to us.

Even more shocked that the highly principled members of the government as well as those within the Labour Party would do so.

What is the world coming to?

HERE IN TAMESIDE NOTHING HAS CHANGED, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE IT MIGHT!

 

In the run up to the local elections, social media is awash with selfies of beaming groups of councillors, decked out in rosettes and waving posters.

However, despite the smiling façade, people on the doorstep told a different story.

As well as being constantly lied to, by politicians, the media, and so-called’ experts; raging apathy at local level over Tameside’s skewed version of local democracy, anger over service decline in the face of council tax rises, not to mention frustration over delays to Brexit, created a massive disinterest in politics at local level, which again saw the voter count decline and those who did find the energy to drag themselves to the polling stations, many either spoilt their voting slips or voted for smaller parties or independents.

Democracy is supposed to be the rule by the majority. This is untrue.

To say that any elected official is chosen by the people through majority rule is blatantly dishonest.

If someone is elected, all it means is that a majority of the voting populace has chosen someone, not the majority of the people subject to the council’s decisions.

 

Let’s just look at what the ruling Labour council call democracy.

 

In Tameside local elections take place every 4 years, but only for 1/3^rd of the council seats. The total number of councillors is 57.The make up being 51 Labour, 5 Tory and 1 Green.

Here are the round numbers of non-voters. Out of Tameside’s 224.000 population: just over 50,000 weren't allowed to vote, and only 45,000 did vote. That means that only 26% took part in the local ‘democratic’ circus and 74% either couldn’t or didn’t! These councillors then go on to decide what is best for all 100% of us for the next 4 years; which is basically the same inertia and piss poor services that they have been soaking us with for the last 4+ decades!

Only in the cloud-cuckoo land of democratic theory can this be called "majority rule."

Two things must change for true democracy to return to Tameside. 1) Is to make voting compulsory, and 2) Is for all the councillors to put up for election at the same time. Then, whatever the result, it would at least carry a close resemblance to a democratic one.

I had to look twice at the slogans and histrionics that regaled their canvassing paraphernalia.

‘Labour Councillors are making a tangible difference to people’s lives, day after day, and how Labour Councillors have made – and continue to make – a difference in local communities, not to mention how councillors have been innovative in finding ways to ensure our communities remain strong and cohesive.'

 

Really?

If they don’t agree with my remarks, perhaps they could put their 51 heads together and furnish this blog with 3 examples of their innovations which has resulted in sustainable community cohesion.

Failing that, could they give examples of how, using their assets creatively, they have reduced the financial burden on Tameside’s taxpayers.

An answer would be nice, but I won't hold my breath! 

 

HOW SUSTAINABLE IS THE RELIANCE ON VOLUNTEERS?

 

We are told that there are great benefits to volunteering for individuals, for communities and for organisations, and many local council’s; having recognised this, now operate and promote a ‘volunteer Strategy’ and get many volunteers on-board by playing to people’s altruistic instincts.

 Apparently the ethos being to help get the most value from volunteering for everyone. But in reality they rely on the help of volunteers to deliver some of the important community services that once they carried out by their own paid officers and staff.

Then we have the ever expanding charity sector, often referred to as 'the third sector' (after the public and private). This sector has grown exponentially over the years and it is estimated that the voluntary sector makes up an estimated 3% of the UK workforce.

You might be shocked to know that according to official statistics supplied by ‘The Charity Commission for England and Wales’, up to September 2018 there were 168,186 registered charities with a combined income of £77.4bn per year. These statistics demonstrate that charities and ‘volunteerism’ is now big business.

As one reads in the national and local news, it appears that many of these organisations have been asking increasingly more from their regular volunteers, so it seems to be a growing trend to "cash-in" on free workers.

However, if you are considering volunteering, rest assured that not all volunteering is bad, and there are still ways people can participate in some genuine volunteering programmes and make a positive difference, provided you do your research.

Therefore before you get involved in any type of volunteering, you should ask yourself a few questions: Why exactly is my help needed? Why is the organization looking for volunteers?

If, after further reflection you conclude that the main beneficiary of your work will be the organisation itself, and not the local community (or another common good), then you must question whether it is worth taking part in it.

Look again at the numbers involved and remember that these organisations can only afford to pay their hierarchy huge salaries on the back of armies of unpaid volunteers, by buying expensive advertising and campaigning for continuous donations. So much so that a large number of charities now commonly exist not only to fight for the cause which led to their original foundation, but to provide salaries, perks and pensions for their top employees.

 If you doubt this just look at the accounts for any successful, professional charity.

The chances are that between 40% and 75% of their gross income goes towards paying the organisations' costs; in other words many organisations exists largely to sustain themselves.

BEWARE OF LOCAL COUNCILLORS

It’s that time of the year when local councillors start posting leaflets containing pictures of themselves smiling eerily while holding party placards and claiming that they’ve just had a ‘great response’ on the doorstep!

Well not at my house they didn’t! The chap who surreptitiously crept up my path to deliver his ‘Vote for Labour’ glossy pamphlet, shot off on his electric scooter so fast, that he was a virtual blur!

Mind you, no other party has even managed to do that!

So much for listening to residents who would like to ask about specific local issues and how since the last election, what impact had they made on the same issues that they again say they are ‘putting at the forefront’ of everything they do!

If our councillors are so damn good at doing their jobs, aka - looking after us, giving us better services, reducing our taxes and generally making life and the environment of Tameside better for all, - something they would have us believe - why then is it necessary to regularly change things?

I’m beginning to believe that the entire political class is comprised of people who are part of a strange power-worshipping cult, obsessed with populism, believing in its own infallibility, tending towards totalitarianism and quite detached from reality!