Police Officers are merely tools of the current Government.
Discussion
Government, of whatever Political Party, and it's particular agenda.
Some here might remember the Miner's strike and how the Government of the time used the Police Service to acheive it's aims.
So, if individuals want to keep their job, they have to abide by the ethos of the current regime.
Same as any occupation.
It may not make it morally or philosophically right.
That's our World.
Some here might remember the Miner's strike and how the Government of the time used the Police Service to acheive it's aims.
So, if individuals want to keep their job, they have to abide by the ethos of the current regime.
Same as any occupation.
It may not make it morally or philosophically right.
That's our World.
WhoseGeneration said:
Government, of whatever Political Party, and it's particular agenda.
Some here might remember the Miner's strike and how the Government of the time used the Police Service to acheive it's aims.
So, if individuals want to keep their job, they have to abide by the ethos of the current regime.
Same as any occupation.
It may not make it morally or philosophically right.
That's our World.
Pass the crack pipe vicar.
You miss one important point - that the government is elected by the tax payer.
We tend to get the government we deserve...
Bing o said:
You miss one important point - that the government is elected by the tax payer.
We tend to get the government we deserve...
Not quite - the UK Gov is
elected by voters, not tax payers.
Almost all folks are tax payers in some
way or another, even gypsies.
A significant group of folks don't bother to
vote.
Like Ken Livingstone said "If voting changed
anything, then they would abolish it."
Australia has a much fairer system - voting
is mandatory.
dcb said:
Bing o said:
You miss one important point - that the government is elected by the tax payer.
We tend to get the government we deserve...
Australia has a much fairer system - voting
is mandatory.
Mandatory voting is not actually beneficial. The Australian model does not give you any better government and as everyone has to vote (or be fined) then people just turn up and stick an X any where they fancy without thinking too hard about it. Besides, in a democracy it should be our right not to vote.
I disagree with forcing people to vote (that's what they did in Soviet Russia for example) however if (and it's a very big IF) there was a 'none of the above' box it would make it slightly more acceptable.
Compulsory voting is another example of the state forcing its citizens to bend to its will and sorry, I don't actually think it brings any benefits. Having been in Oz for nearly sven years I certainly don't see any improvements here. If I was to be a bit cynical I would even suggest that it has meant the most appalling 'speed kills' policies getting voted in.
The reason many do not vote is not because they cannot be bothered, but it is because they do not understand. Unlike the States, where they have a big political education, with school elections etc, we have none. The fear in this country is that potential voters would be idoctrianated by left wing teachers, so we do nonthing.
I am shocked by how many of my staff don't understand the differances between the parties and where our tax money goes.
Working class people and women fought to get the vote we should all use it.
I am shocked by how many of my staff don't understand the differances between the parties and where our tax money goes.
Working class people and women fought to get the vote we should all use it.
spaximus said:
I am shocked by how many of my staff don't understand the differances between the parties and where our tax money goes.
I don't understand it either tbh, they're all power-hungry control freaks who will take as much money as they think they can get away with and squander it.
spaximus said:
The reason many do not vote is not because they cannot be bothered, but it is because they do not understand. Unlike the States, where they have a big political education, with school elections etc, we have none.
and this 'education' has led to the voting in of imbeciles of the likes of Reagan and 'Dubbya' Bush. Historically the UK has been more politically switched-on and politically educated than the States with the ability to understand complex issues in a way that the average US voter could not (or was not given the opportunity to). It is only relatively recently that UK politics has followed the depressing US trait of dumbing-down issues and the incredibly irritating media/rolling news friendly 'sound-bites' designed for short attention spans and low IQs.
spaximus said:
The fear in this country is that potential voters would be idoctrianated by left wing teachers, so we do nonthing.
..........Working class people and women fought to get the vote we should all use it.
..........Working class people and women fought to get the vote we should all use it.
Don't agree about the left-wing teacher paranoia but agree totally with the last point.
Edited by maddog993 on Monday 7th May 12:42
vonhosen said:
I think there's less ground between the two major parties than there has ever been.
Blimey - a chance to agree with From-Trousers.
The battle ground in UK politics is the middle ground.
I see UK politics going the same way as US politics
has already gone - two centrist parties with not even a
fag paper between them and very few people bother
to vote since it doesn't change anything.
This leaves the 1970s style hard left socialists and the
"Daily Mail" hard right Tories out on a limb.
Unless Peter Hitchins gets his finger out
and brings back Thatcherite policies.
I think we are increasingly heading towards a form of American government where we have a right wing and an extreme right wing both competing for votes only here we have a few odd ball, middle of the road (somewhere between right wing and extreme right wing) parties who fight for a single seat while the major 2 parties fight for power.
I'd like to see a "None of the above" option when it comes to voting. I thought it was funny when Bliar complained about a lack of voting turn out after an election being down to apathy, then shortly afterwards he decided that he only need attend 1 Prime Ministers question time session a week instead of 2.
I'd like to see a "None of the above" option when it comes to voting. I thought it was funny when Bliar complained about a lack of voting turn out after an election being down to apathy, then shortly afterwards he decided that he only need attend 1 Prime Ministers question time session a week instead of 2.
maddog993 said:
spaximus said:
The reason many do not vote is not because they cannot be bothered, but it is because they do not understand. Unlike the States, where they have a big political education, with school elections etc, we have none.
and this 'education' has led to the voting in of imbeciles of the likes of Reagan and 'Dubbya' Bush. Historically the UK has been more politically switched-on and politically educated than the States with the ability to understand complex issues in a way that the average US voter could not (or was not given the opportunity to). It is only relatively recently that UK politics has followed the depressing US trait of dumbing-down issues and the incredibly irritating media/rolling news friendly 'sound-bites' designed for short attention spans and low IQs.
I agree we used to be much more aware, but when I was at school in the 70s we did have education which encompassed the way politics worked. Now they do not have any from what my daughters education appeared to be. Yes the Americans don't always get it right but at least there is a debate which is full if not always giving the best result. Totally agree with the sound bite dumbing down, good looks are now more important than honesty and ability for a career in politics.
spaximus said:
The fear in this country is that potential voters would be idoctrianated by left wing teachers, so we do nonthing.
..........Working class people and women fought to get the vote we should all use it.
..........Working class people and women fought to get the vote we should all use it.
Don't agree about the left-wing teacher paranoia but agree totally with the last point.
That was one of the reasons that it was stopped in the area I came from, basically in south Yorkshire it was Labour, the Goverment felt it was not right to have teachers who were seen to be left wing educating the kids.
Edited by maddog993 on Monday 7th May 12:42
spaximus said:
The fear in this country is that potential voters would be idoctrianated by left wing teachers, so we do nonthing.
That was one of the reasons that it was stopped in the area I came from, basically in south Yorkshire it was Labour, the Goverment felt it was not right to have teachers who were seen to be left wing educating the kids.
(sorry, I misinterpreted your point as a personal fear of 'reds-under-the-bed-left-wing' teachers) -again I agree with you.
Edited by maddog993 on Monday 7th May 13:04
I think, on election days, the rolling current total of votes so far for each candidate should be freely publicly displayed.
You could then see who was doing well and vote accordingly.
It might encourage more people to vote.
If people realised that the party they don't like is getting ahead.
Also why not combine it with a lottery? A lucky voter will win a prize........
You could then see who was doing well and vote accordingly.
It might encourage more people to vote.
If people realised that the party they don't like is getting ahead.
Also why not combine it with a lottery? A lucky voter will win a prize........
[/quote]
Blimey - a chance to agree with From-Trousers.
[/quote]
And just to inject a bit of levity, having just done a German course as a squaddie I had a leak in a radiator hose in my old Fiat in Berlin and said to a mechanic that I had a leak in my Hosen.
Only when he rolled on the deck laughing did I remember that Slauch is a hose, Hosen are trousers
Blimey - a chance to agree with From-Trousers.
[/quote]
And just to inject a bit of levity, having just done a German course as a squaddie I had a leak in a radiator hose in my old Fiat in Berlin and said to a mechanic that I had a leak in my Hosen.
Only when he rolled on the deck laughing did I remember that Slauch is a hose, Hosen are trousers
vonhosen said:
I think there's less ground between the two major parties than there has ever been.
Well, well von, we finally agree absolutely on something!!
Just look at what is happening in Scotland right now with the SNP and Labour.
Only one seat in it and most MSPs running around like headless chickens trying to form a government!!
How can the philosophy of democracy possibly be at work now, eh?
jith said:
vonhosen said:
I think there's less ground between the two major parties than there has ever been.
Well, well von, we finally agree absolutely on something!!
Just look at what is happening in Scotland right now with the SNP and Labour.
Only one seat in it and most MSPs running around like headless chickens trying to form a government!!
How can the philosophy of democracy possibly be at work now, eh?
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