Main Categories
Democracy
Public Servant Accountability
Isn't it about time that politicians and public servants were answerable to the people that pay their wages and that those people should also have some say in where their money goes and what it is spent on?
No Democracy
What is wrong with our democratic system as we know it? "One vote every four years for one bunch, or the other, who, despite what they may say at the time to try and win the election, once they get in, do what the hell they like."
C.Y.C.L.O.P.S.
To put in place a mechanism for the people to stress their feeling to the government on particular issues. A system where people can register their strength of feeling without being forced to take excessive action such as marching, striking or blockading. Nowadays we have the technology to implement a new political system, which, through online voting and telephone polling, will enable everyone to share in a truly democratic process. For once, politicians will be able to do what they are, in theory, paid to do, that is, administer the will of the people.
Public Funding and Resource Management
Shouldn't people have a say in where their money goes?
Asset Management
Just how important are people and their opinions?
People Management And Shared Responsibility
Who is responsible? Who should be responsible?
Politicians Or Parasites?
It is perhaps a paradox, but many people think that if you want a career in politics, you shouldn't be there, and that perhaps the best people for the job would not want to be involved in such a system in the first place. Whatever the case, it must be said that politicians pay themselves a very reasonable salary and it duly right that they should adequately serve the people that pay their wages. However, at all levels, from local to national, to international Government, this can often be seen not to be the case. The relationship between politicians and the public should be symbiotic, that is to say, mutually beneficial; and the public should not have their feelings ignored by the people whose wages they are paying. This has to change if we are ever going to live in a truly fair and democratic society. To quote the wise and cynical Harry Pearce, "Politicians are conniving, wheeler-dealing, scum!" That quote may or may not be a bit harsh, however, as many will no doubt agree, I think it is true to say that they are far too often more interested in serving their own self-interests than they are in adequately serving the people that pay their wages! And funnily enough, they can never give you a straight answer either!
Where's The Choice In That Ken?
Ken Livingstone, in the same sentence as talking about fining cyclists for cycling on the pavement (even though in many instances it is safer for them to do so), was also talking about fining people for not voting. However, apart from taking away a person's freedom of choice, something that should be considered paramount and respected as such, in doing this he is also perhaps overlooking the fact that so many people are completely disillusioned by our current, so called, democracy, which is so obviously just a corrupt and perverse illusion peddled by the politicians. Didn't sixty-six percent of people vote AGAINST extending the congestion charge zone? - Yes, they did! In our society, the public are the end-user and the one's that see where the problems lie a lot of the time. After all, we have to live with them! For us to be completely ignored by those whose grossly inflated wages and expenses we are paying through the nose for, is something of an outrage. People who express their disillusionment by not voting should not be penalised further by being fined - I think they have to put up with enough as it is. Especially from people like you Ken! If the public do not agree with an idea it should not be implemented, full stop!. Otherwise, everything that people have fought for in the past just fades away into farce, and invidiously, dictatorship, it seems, is still rife, even in this so called democratic society.