Where do we REALLY go from here?

[Stumped]

The country is in an absolute mess. Of that we can be certain. The political aspirants are throwing lies and statistics in all directions, yet none of them appear to be telling the truth about anything, and until someone has the courage to enlighten Joe Public as to the true state of: 'the economy, crime, education, transport the NHS, the armed forces and devolution', to name but a few . . . and in particular 'the continued effect of our remaining in Europe', I contend that very few of us will be in a position to make an honest assessment come the forthcoming general election.

With no political allegiance in mind - I look to the observations of Accrington's esteemed members for their views and opinions prior to what could well turn out to be a very interesting few weeks.

I rest my case, M'Lud.

[MargaretR]

You can make a start at 'truth getting' by turning off your TV, abandoning mainstream media press, and websearching for it,
..but be aware that there is rubbish news on there too
..you need to develop your intuition for what is true and what isn't, but uncensored news is more likely to have a grain of truth in it.

[TubbyLes]

It's been like this since Roman times,but what did the Romans do for us?

[Stumped]

Originally Posted by TubbyLes

It's been like this since Roman times,but what did the Romans do for us?

Built a few roads and bath houses, and threw a few Christians to the lions. There may well be a clue here as to where we may be headed if we aren't careful, as I omitted to inlude one very prevalent trend in my opening submission.

Maybe I should look to Private Eye for my information!

[Ken Moss]

Originally Posted by Stumped

The country is in an absolute mess. Of that we can be certain. The political aspirants are throwing lies and statistics in all directions, yet none of them appear to be telling the truth about anything, and until someone has the courage to enlighten Joe Public as to the true state of: 'the economy, crime, education, transport the NHS, the armed forces and devolution', to name but a few . . . and in particular 'the continued effect of our remaining in Europe', I contend that very few of us will be in a position to make an honest assessment come the forthcoming general election.

With no political allegiance in mind - I look to the observations of Accrington's esteemed members for their views and opinions prior to what could well turn out to be a very interesting few weeks.

I rest my case, M'Lud.

Ask to see your local election candidates in person and make your decision from there. If you don't know who they are then make them earn their vote.

[Eric]

Originally Posted by Ken Moss

Ask to see your local election candidates in person and make your decision from there. If you don't know who they are then make them earn their vote.

You are assuming that you can get a straight answer by grilling the candiates one-on-one Mmm .... "grilling" might not be a bad idea; a nice slow, glowing fire .... that should get a few straight answers out of them.

[garinda]

When trying to make a rational judgement about the state of Britain today, I find it more useful to make comparissons in decades, rather than what happened yesterday.

Do I think Britain is a more just place, with greater equality, and greater opportunities for people to reach their full potential, through education for example, and that materially we have more actual 'things', to make life easier, or interesting and pleasurable, and do we have more access to a whole world of things that were once closed off to the majority of people?

Yes, in general terms, compared to ten, twenty, thirty years ago, I do think society is a better place today, than it was then.

I do think emotionally we might not be in so good a place. Perhaps dissatisfaction, and always wanting more and more, leads us to long for some simpler, halcyon, by-gone age. But which in reality, meant we were a hell of a lot worse off then, than we are today.

I think if our great grandparents happened to come back to visit us, they'd agree with Harold Macmillan, and tell us to stop bloomin' well moaning, because compared to the past, we really have never had it so good.

[Ken Moss]

Originally Posted by Eric

You are assuming that you can get a straight answer by grilling the candiates one-on-one Mmm .... "grilling" might not be a bad idea; a nice slow, glowing fire .... that should get a few straight answers out of them.

I'll quite happily tell you about myself without the glowing embers!

I was more inferring that you can get a measure of your candidate more if you actually meet them face-to-face. Campaign literature is all very well, but you need to back it up with a personality that suggests they will actually do what they're promising.

I found out all too recently that the best way of weighing up any party at a local level is to go to the public gallery during council meetings but it's a little late to be giving you that advice now.

[cashman]

thing is in my view stumped, there are some good MPs out there, the problem to me always has been, they are never allowed "High" up the political ladder,instead we are fed mainly "Lying,Decieving,*******"

[garinda]

Originally Posted by cashman

thing is in my view stumped, there are some good MPs out there, the problem to me always has been, they are never allowed "High" up the political ladder,instead we are fed mainly "Lying,Decieving,*******"

According to a MORI poll last weekend, the majority of people think this government, and it's political parties, are the most corrupt in history.

In reality, theres's probably no more corruption now, than in the past.

But with now more transparency than ever before, we just get to know things, which were once kept hidden in the dark.

[DaveinGermany]

Politicians & Political Parties aside, I would agree with Rindys point about being materially & assets wise better off. But in achieving these betterments I believe a lot of basics have fallen by the wayside.

Through continually striving for monetary reward to buy the big,Cars,Tellies, Homes & gadgets to keep up with the "Jonses", the family has been placed on a back burner & as such isn't getting the attention & focus it requires.

In attempting to make things better for our families, by working longer & harder, so we can get the good things for our kith & kin, we are inadvertently neglecting them ! The quality time together is diminished & substitutes are being found in the form of games consoles, computers etc. So we are withdrawing from public life more readily & existing in an electronic World of individuals & solitude.

This then has the effect of degrading the social skills we require to interact with people & places in the "Real World" (that being the one outside of the 17" monitor). An alien place where we don't feel comfortable & as such don't always react well as we haven't mastered the arts & graces required for this scenario.

Yes as people we've come a long way & made many advances, but what is the real cost of our "Modern 21st Century Lifestyle".

[Margaret Pilkington]

Local politics is a whole different ballgame to national politics.
You can 'grill' your local candidate as much as you like, but if he doesn't know the answers, then where does that leave you?......And if he has a party line to follow, then you are still no nearer.
No I will be taking my trusty pin into the polling booth, shutting my eyes and make a stab in the dark......it will be as useful as any other method in deciding who gets my vote.

[garinda]

Pack up your troubles in your old kit-bag,
And smile, smile, smile,
While you’ve a lucifer to light your fag,
Smile, boys, that’s the style.
What’s the use of worrying?
It never was worth while, so
Pack up your troubles in your old kit-bag,
And smile, smile, smile.

[accyman]

Originally Posted by TubbyLes

It's been like this since Roman times,but what did the Romans do for us?

quite a lot actually did you not take history at school lol ?

if it wasnt for them we would still be wading through crap in the streets and driving around on roads full of holes

bloomin heck were reverting we learned nothing after all they did for us

[Mancie]

There's nowt you can do about it all Stumped.. and I can see how a "happy go lucky" optimist such as you would get run down