the general election
So. The general election. Thoughts and frustrations below, because venting to my friends always elicit argumentative responses, and I rather like arguing with a medium that cannot talk back. Then again, anyone on my flist is welcome to come and join in, I'm quite interested what you guys think/disagree with. :) Um. Though I may get quite opinionated and potentially offensive in this. Just a warning.
1. David Cameron.
I don't like him. I don't like his policies, I don't like his party, and I don't like his Shadow Chancellor. I don't believe in his economic policies, and I don't like the way their campaign is run. I do not like the way he's basically plastered Gordon Brown's (unflattering) face all over the city, and I really despise the way he tries to appeal to the "common people". I know it's probably not fair to use his privileged position against him, but I would resent it a lot less if he stopped trying to place himself on the same platform as the working class all the time. And yes, okay, as a Shadow Prime Minister I suppose he has to criticise, but I wish he would suggest solutions and credible ones at that instead of just blaming Gordon Brown all the time. I still remember those days where he jumped on the "green energy" bandwagon that the Lib Dems promoted, riding his bicycle to parliament everyday, only to have his briefcase sent to him via limousine instead.
I do however, get amused when he starts comparing our economy to Greece's. Because although it's bad, I don't really think it's that dire. I think he's scaremongering, and taking advantage of the economics-illiterate. And it's his abuse of economics that irritates me the most.
As you can tell, I'm not his biggest supporter. At least his campaign poster face is flawless. *snerk*
2. Nick Clegg. I'm placing him here as number two, instead of three, because three is where they always have been. :P Personally, I adored Charles Kennedy. I like Nick Clegg, but I also dislike some of his policies. To be honest, I don't think I've had enough time to actually dislike him yet. I think it says something that Liberal Democrats were generally free from the MP abuses on spending, and that they were the only party that opposed the Iraq invasion. They always come across well on Question Time, and although I really don't like some of their policies (because Vince Cable I hear was absolutely dreadful in his interview) at least morally, the party seems to be composed of decent people that did not abuse taxpayers money when everyone was doing it.
3. Gordon Brown. See below for stuff on the recession, but I feel bad for him. I don't really know the details of the bigot woman thing, but I'm more inclined to believe that she was a bigot. It's a shame that politics means that he can't tell her she's a bigot to her face, and then gets criticised for calling her a bigot behind her back. It may show his two-faced character, but only because he is required to be so. Like anyone hasn't said something nasty behind someone's back - we just haven't been stupid enough to be caught at it. Out of the three parties, I think his economic policies make the most sense - because recovery is key and foremost. I just don't think taxing people like the Conservatives propose in a period of recession will do any good.
4. Politics as a whole.
The recession is a big issue in the whole debate. I know I should probably be more sympathetic because as a student currently living on taxpayer's money in the recession, I am luckier than most. However, when watching debates with questions asked by the audience, I cannot help but get frustrated. I know people often ask the questions that are involved with issues that concern them the most, but sometimes they're just personal grievances that they wish to air. There will always be losers when governments decide upon their policies, and it's painful to watch the speakers trying to appeal to everyone at the same time whilst contradicting their previous statements. For example, in today's prime ministers' question time, a woman asks how they propose to increase Britain's manufacturing industry. Maybe I'm just cynical, but I don't think Britain's manufacturing industry is ever going to recover - at least not when compared to the Industrial Revolution days.
To be honest, the UK's strength has always been London, and London's strength has always been services. Up to a few years ago, it seemed inconceivable that Governments would tax the only comparative advantage it had against other countries. Increasing manufacturing when the country just isn't good at it seems stupid, and an unnecessary waste of resources. By all means encourage, but forcing the issue is stupid.
5. It really rankles when people blame Gordon Brown for the recession. You cannot possible blame the entire economy's failings on one man. Or even one party. Retrospectively, it is very easy to say that there should have been more regulation, and very easy to sit back and enjoy things whilst things are going well, but then turn around and blame others as soon as things are going sour. Back in the 90s, people were praising Gordon Brown for his economic policies and his stance on immigration. Now, people are very quick to blame him for not predicting the future and not implementing policies far before the credit crunch. I'm not saying there shouldn't be more regulation, but it isn't completely his fault. In fact, I didn't hear any of the other parties calling for more regulation in the financial industry five or ten years ago. If Gordon Brown is guilty for not regulating banks enough, then the other parties are also guilty for not bringing it to attention either.
6. I am pro immigration. Perhaps "British jobs for British people" may seem fair in the eyes of the unemployed, and those who have suffered the most in the credit crunch, but as part of the EU, we cannot possibly limit the number of Europeans who come into the country. Not only is it illegal, it defeats the entire purpose of forming the EU in the first place, as a platform that promotes trade and free movement of labour. To be honest, I don't have any sympathy for people who complain that jobs are being taken away from them by foreigners when they aren't actively seeking out employment. I remember watching Question Time a while ago, and a woman mentioned that most of the jobs being taken up by "foreigners" are the ones that most British people feel are beneath them, and wouldn't take up anyway. It's basically racism, hidden under a veneer of political correctness and a fear of being labelled as such. Nick Griffin spoke about maintaining a sense of "British Culture" in his appearance on Question Time, but Britain or at least London is so diverse because of its history. I mean, what do you expect when England has its colonial history? But back to the point, I just don't believe in limiting jobs to people based on their citizenship. The best people for the position should get the job. That is all.
6. I despise the media. And yet it is so necessary. But I still despise it nonetheless.
And as a final side note, not related to politics but with dealing with my friends (or certain friend), I resent being told what to think. I don't mind debate, but when it's a matter of opinion, and not fact, I believe in being allowed at least to form my own conclusions. I also resent and hate it when I share and tell them about my experiences and then am told that I am wrong and that they know better than I do because it couldn't possibly happen by law - and I would agree, if I hadn't experienced it myself. Arrogant, condescending and smug. I was so close to blowing a fuse tonight I don't know how much more passive aggressive I can be. (Purposely vague, because if I continued typing, it would take me another hour to write it all out again...)
1. David Cameron.
I don't like him. I don't like his policies, I don't like his party, and I don't like his Shadow Chancellor. I don't believe in his economic policies, and I don't like the way their campaign is run. I do not like the way he's basically plastered Gordon Brown's (unflattering) face all over the city, and I really despise the way he tries to appeal to the "common people". I know it's probably not fair to use his privileged position against him, but I would resent it a lot less if he stopped trying to place himself on the same platform as the working class all the time. And yes, okay, as a Shadow Prime Minister I suppose he has to criticise, but I wish he would suggest solutions and credible ones at that instead of just blaming Gordon Brown all the time. I still remember those days where he jumped on the "green energy" bandwagon that the Lib Dems promoted, riding his bicycle to parliament everyday, only to have his briefcase sent to him via limousine instead.
I do however, get amused when he starts comparing our economy to Greece's. Because although it's bad, I don't really think it's that dire. I think he's scaremongering, and taking advantage of the economics-illiterate. And it's his abuse of economics that irritates me the most.
As you can tell, I'm not his biggest supporter. At least his campaign poster face is flawless. *snerk*
2. Nick Clegg. I'm placing him here as number two, instead of three, because three is where they always have been. :P Personally, I adored Charles Kennedy. I like Nick Clegg, but I also dislike some of his policies. To be honest, I don't think I've had enough time to actually dislike him yet. I think it says something that Liberal Democrats were generally free from the MP abuses on spending, and that they were the only party that opposed the Iraq invasion. They always come across well on Question Time, and although I really don't like some of their policies (because Vince Cable I hear was absolutely dreadful in his interview) at least morally, the party seems to be composed of decent people that did not abuse taxpayers money when everyone was doing it.
3. Gordon Brown. See below for stuff on the recession, but I feel bad for him. I don't really know the details of the bigot woman thing, but I'm more inclined to believe that she was a bigot. It's a shame that politics means that he can't tell her she's a bigot to her face, and then gets criticised for calling her a bigot behind her back. It may show his two-faced character, but only because he is required to be so. Like anyone hasn't said something nasty behind someone's back - we just haven't been stupid enough to be caught at it. Out of the three parties, I think his economic policies make the most sense - because recovery is key and foremost. I just don't think taxing people like the Conservatives propose in a period of recession will do any good.
4. Politics as a whole.
The recession is a big issue in the whole debate. I know I should probably be more sympathetic because as a student currently living on taxpayer's money in the recession, I am luckier than most. However, when watching debates with questions asked by the audience, I cannot help but get frustrated. I know people often ask the questions that are involved with issues that concern them the most, but sometimes they're just personal grievances that they wish to air. There will always be losers when governments decide upon their policies, and it's painful to watch the speakers trying to appeal to everyone at the same time whilst contradicting their previous statements. For example, in today's prime ministers' question time, a woman asks how they propose to increase Britain's manufacturing industry. Maybe I'm just cynical, but I don't think Britain's manufacturing industry is ever going to recover - at least not when compared to the Industrial Revolution days.
To be honest, the UK's strength has always been London, and London's strength has always been services. Up to a few years ago, it seemed inconceivable that Governments would tax the only comparative advantage it had against other countries. Increasing manufacturing when the country just isn't good at it seems stupid, and an unnecessary waste of resources. By all means encourage, but forcing the issue is stupid.
5. It really rankles when people blame Gordon Brown for the recession. You cannot possible blame the entire economy's failings on one man. Or even one party. Retrospectively, it is very easy to say that there should have been more regulation, and very easy to sit back and enjoy things whilst things are going well, but then turn around and blame others as soon as things are going sour. Back in the 90s, people were praising Gordon Brown for his economic policies and his stance on immigration. Now, people are very quick to blame him for not predicting the future and not implementing policies far before the credit crunch. I'm not saying there shouldn't be more regulation, but it isn't completely his fault. In fact, I didn't hear any of the other parties calling for more regulation in the financial industry five or ten years ago. If Gordon Brown is guilty for not regulating banks enough, then the other parties are also guilty for not bringing it to attention either.
6. I am pro immigration. Perhaps "British jobs for British people" may seem fair in the eyes of the unemployed, and those who have suffered the most in the credit crunch, but as part of the EU, we cannot possibly limit the number of Europeans who come into the country. Not only is it illegal, it defeats the entire purpose of forming the EU in the first place, as a platform that promotes trade and free movement of labour. To be honest, I don't have any sympathy for people who complain that jobs are being taken away from them by foreigners when they aren't actively seeking out employment. I remember watching Question Time a while ago, and a woman mentioned that most of the jobs being taken up by "foreigners" are the ones that most British people feel are beneath them, and wouldn't take up anyway. It's basically racism, hidden under a veneer of political correctness and a fear of being labelled as such. Nick Griffin spoke about maintaining a sense of "British Culture" in his appearance on Question Time, but Britain or at least London is so diverse because of its history. I mean, what do you expect when England has its colonial history? But back to the point, I just don't believe in limiting jobs to people based on their citizenship. The best people for the position should get the job. That is all.
6. I despise the media. And yet it is so necessary. But I still despise it nonetheless.
And as a final side note, not related to politics but with dealing with my friends (or certain friend), I resent being told what to think. I don't mind debate, but when it's a matter of opinion, and not fact, I believe in being allowed at least to form my own conclusions. I also resent and hate it when I share and tell them about my experiences and then am told that I am wrong and that they know better than I do because it couldn't possibly happen by law - and I would agree, if I hadn't experienced it myself. Arrogant, condescending and smug. I was so close to blowing a fuse tonight I don't know how much more passive aggressive I can be. (Purposely vague, because if I continued typing, it would take me another hour to write it all out again...)