tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8373780254831438828.post8866530661135604302..comments2023-04-29T02:26:08.411-07:00Comments on The Harrogate Agenda: Our democracy is a sham.Pete Northhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04172420184509249126noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8373780254831438828.post-70692076772565114202021-03-24T03:37:10.078-07:002021-03-24T03:37:10.078-07:00The best stategy IMO is mass non-cooperation witho...The best stategy IMO is mass non-cooperation without even taking to the streets. The people have the power to force change if they decide to use it.Niall Warryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13815435878278635965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8373780254831438828.post-19370837592495895782021-03-22T14:17:49.662-07:002021-03-22T14:17:49.662-07:00Couldn't agree more. Had to look up Gene Sharp...Couldn't agree more. Had to look up Gene Sharp - v interesting. I read that he produced a list of no fewer than 198 methods of non-violent action, comprising 54 methods of protest such as demonstrations and 103 methods of non-cooperation.Alfred the Ordinaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02806612975119244680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8373780254831438828.post-84611665172933717902021-03-22T11:21:11.285-07:002021-03-22T11:21:11.285-07:00Mass revolt that turns to violence will NOT work -...Mass revolt that turns to violence will NOT work - THA must follow the peaceful principles of Gene Sharp.Niall Warryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13815435878278635965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8373780254831438828.post-12717778718329378962021-03-22T07:12:13.391-07:002021-03-22T07:12:13.391-07:00"As to achieving 'Real Democracy' I h..."<i>As to achieving 'Real Democracy' I have long held the view things will get worse before they get better"</i><br /><br />On Mon Mar 15th, 2021, the BBC showed again "Dark Secrets of a Trillion Dollar Island" a 90 min programme about the child abuse scandal that erupted on the idyllic island of Jersey in 2007 as it uncovered decades of abuse at the Haut de la Garenne children’s home. <br /><br />The not so subtle sub-plot was what happens when democracy all but dies. The major positions of power, on the island, are occupied by appointees of our Queen. The other major driving force is the trillion dollars of "foreign" money held in so called offshore investment. The programme highlighted only too well what happens when the main driving force is "don't rock the boat" and listen to the Elite, because they know best, because external perceptions are all important to maintaining a (corrupt) way of life. <br /><br />I raise this because the UK seems to be a long way down this slippery slope, where those without obscene wealth are just ridden over roughshod. Their vote is all but meaningless. How much worse this can get before collapse, with Rishi Sunak turning the money printing taps on full, and as I said above with the government <b>"destroying jobs, small businesses, mental health, our culture and the economy"</b>, the moment for mass revolt seems worryingly close.Alfredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01694719785236153072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8373780254831438828.post-66788660616087445132021-03-20T01:59:58.760-07:002021-03-20T01:59:58.760-07:00Point noted about the amount of council tax the ra...Point noted about the amount of council tax the rate payer can actually influence under the current system but of course our second demand wants the local democracy units to raise all taxes and submit a proportion up to central government.<br /><br />As to achieving 'Real Democracy' I have long held the view things will get worse before they get better but 'Real Democracy' will help the process of recovery as the 'People's' views will have to be taken into account and decisions will no longer be only left in the hands of the party in power.<br /><br /> Niall Warryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13815435878278635965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8373780254831438828.post-75023593999639645062021-03-19T10:37:14.340-07:002021-03-19T10:37:14.340-07:00"local councillors .. only pay lip service to...<i>"local councillors .. only pay lip service to the views of the majority"</i>. There's two main reasons for that:<br /><br />1) In my council, all councillors are members of one of the main political parties and spend much of their time supporting those parties as they are on a journey to become an MP. We have very few Independents any more, if any.<br /><br />2) In my council 80% of my tax goes to supporting vulnerable adults; elderly etc over which I have zero control. This support is mandated by the Westminster government so the Council has little room for manoeuvre. <br /><br />Basically, I can vote, at the most, where 20% of my tax goes.<br /><br />You make the point well about real democracy which I believe must start at the local level but there is a staggering amount of work to be done before we are able <b><i>"to give people real democracy"</i></b>. <br /><br />With all the effort that this government is putting into destroying jobs, small businesses, mental health, our culture and the economy, time is running out very fast.<br /><br />However, I'll be alright if I get the contract to write the next government slogan, which will be needed soon: <b>EAT LESS - SPEND LESS - SAVE THE POUND</b>. My 100 bitcoin proposal is bound to be cheaper than any other but I expect the next slogan contract will be given to one of the usual suspects in the local Westminster clan.Alfredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01694719785236153072noreply@blogger.com