The Big Society

[Robert]

Hi Babybird

Let's put it this way. Instead of one taxi, there are three. The first one promises to take you to Birmingham. The second to London. The third to Cardiff. You want to go to all three places for one reason or another, at one time or another, so you try all three of them.

Every taxi takes you to Much Sleeping on the Wold.

When you protest, the drivers mutter about not knowing the state of the roads, the state of their taxis, and a thousand other things when they actually made the promise.

My reaction is "Then you shouldn't have shot your mouth off." And I give up on the taxis.

You on the other hand seem to think that I am condemned to go to Much Sleeping on the Wold for all eternity. Well, maybe I am. But only because people like you keep getting into useless taxis.

[Chris]

The trouble is politicians will keep getting elected no matter how many people don't vote for them.

[Limehouse]

If Cameron should be hanging his head in shame, what should Clegg be doing?

Well - much as I hate to say it - he should just hang.

[Chris]

Well - much as I hate to say it - he should just hang.

The more I hear that line about his signed promise to his constituents "not counting" because his party didn't win an overall majority in parliament, the more I tend to agree.

After all, if he'd said at the time "but only if the Lib Dems get 325 seats," they would have been laughing too hard to put a cross on the ballot paper, and the problem wouldn't have arisen.

[Limehouse]

The more I hear that line about his signed promise to his constituents "not counting" because his party didn't win an overall majority in parliament, the more I tend to agree.

After all, if he'd said at the time "but only if the Lib Dems get 325 seats," they would have been laughing too hard to put a cross on the ballot paper, and the problem wouldn't have arisen.

Hi Chris

As far as I am concerned Labout didn't win - the Tories didn't win and the Lib Dems didn't win but we've got what is effectively a Tory government - and in my book it's an unelected government.

Let's do what the good people of Egypt are doing - getting out on the streets and saying ENOUGH! GO!

Then we can try and build a REAL socialist society.

[Robert]

Since Clegg's own favoured system will produce nothing but coalitions, every promise he ever makes under such a system will have to be conditional, i.e. worthless.

Up till now I have never knowingly answered the door to a politician canvassing on the doorstep, but I think from now on I shall promise every party my vote. Obviously I cannot foresee that half an hour before the booths close, I will find the cigarette situation far worse than I thought, and be compelled to take a walk to the newsagent.

[Chris]

Since Clegg's own favoured system will produce nothing but coalitions, every promise he ever makes under such a system will have to be conditional, i.e. worthless.

In effect, that's Clegg's argument. But he's lying. In fact, this was a personal pledge about how he would vote on a specific issue if elected as an MP. The only reason it turned out to be worthless is that he broke his word.

[Robert]

Not the first or last politician to do it, Chris. It always amuses me to think of the opprobrium with which "lying to the House" is viewed. Much more serious than lying to the public!

[Chris]

Not the first or last politician to do it, Chris.

Indeed - most of his parliamentary party did it at exactly the same time!

[babybird67]

You on the other hand seem to think that I am condemned to go to Much Sleeping on the Wold for all eternity. Well, maybe I am. But only because people like you keep getting into useless taxis.

LOL!

Not because people like you do nothing to change the system?
Perhaps if you gave the drivers better directions to your destination you might get there?

The system isn't perfect and there are tons of things i would change about it, and about politicians if i could. I don't see copping out of it altogether as a more honourable alternative than at least trying to make an honest choice from what's on offer at the moment. I am one person in the world. I do what I think is right. That's all i can do.

[Robert]

And that's all I can do, Babybird. So if you want to accuse me of copping out from, say, giving the vote to convicts, by all means do so.

[Zodiac]

I love the sound of breaking fingers in the morning!!!

LOL!

Not because people like you do nothing to change the system?
Perhaps if you gave the drivers better directions to your destination you might get there?

The system isn't perfect and there are tons of things i would change about it, and about politicians if i could. I don't see copping out of it altogether as a more honourable alternative than at least trying to make an honest choice from what's on offer at the moment. I am one person in the world. I do what I think is right. That's all i can do.

Hi Babybird,

Perhaps if we were to explain, in some graphic detail, to the taxi drivers that we were holding their children and loved ones or possibly, even, in some cases their wives hostage... Then, perhaps, we might just get their attention??? No??? No... Your right, they probably wouldn't even give a damn!!! Oh well, back to the bloody drawing board once again!!!

Best wishes,
Zodiac.

[Chris]

Perhaps if we were to explain, in some graphic detail, to the taxi drivers that we were holding their children and loved ones or possibly, even, in some cases their wives hostage...

I think in the case of politicians it would have to be either their wallets or their egos...

[Robert]

"We have your wallet hostage and will cut off part of one of your expenses forms if you do not obey our instructions."

[babybird67]

Hi Babybird,

Perhaps if we were to explain, in some graphic detail, to the taxi drivers that we were holding their children and loved ones or possibly, even, in some cases their wives hostage... Then, perhaps, we might just get their attention??? No??? No... Your right, they probably wouldn't even give a damn!!! Oh well, back to the bloody drawing board once again!!!

Best wishes,
Zodiac.

Most of them would probably be more concerned about their mistresses!!!