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Anyone our compatriots are a little stupid or ignorant?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-22721462
Extremely satisfied with our schools?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-22845976 That picture sums up everything about Welsh Labour.
I wouldn't say it is just the preserve if welsh labour. It is an accusation I'd label at the majority of politicians at all levels and from all parties. Most go into politics with the best of intentions but almost always end up being self serving parasites. No exceptions.
What makes it worse is the fact you get people defending one group but criticising another for doing exactly the same thing when in office. If I was king of the world they'd be the first against the wall before the politicians.
you are going to have to explain why it is a contradiction? i never mentioned any other job or profession. I was discussing the self serving leeches that are our politicians. therefore I cannot understand what is there to contradict.
lets discuss an example of a politician that was self serving. there is this little province and it has its own assembly. this province has east west economic ties both in the north and the south. that is just the way it is. economic development shoul be along the east west axis and not the north south axis.
we have an assemblyman in charge of economic development. he is from the north. the assembly is in the south. does the assemblyman look to develop along the east west axis or does he look to create artificial links between north and south (such as state subsidised flights)?
the above is of course all made up and fictional, but if it were true you'd assume the assemblyman had artificially created a link between the north and south just to serve his own purpose of making his travel to work a lot easier.
thankfully we aren't blighted by such cronyism here in Wales
Umm the Cardiff to Anglesey service still operates, Jantra. 10 flights a week. My Dad did it last week for a meeting in Bangor. Well done IWJ for linking the two ends of our beautiful country.
Jeremy
Am I right in thinking that you are saying that WG already subsidise travel from the North to the South via ATW and that there would have been better options than subsidising an underutilised air route? I would imagine that if IWJ was truly a man of the people then taking the train like everyone else would have been a preferred option.
This is a case in point about my condemnation of politicians in general. How many end up with directorships or consultancy roles? What I can’t understand about our AMs that is they need an away from home allowance. This is absurd. If you live as far away as Merthyr, Swansea or Cwmbran then you really are within commuting distance of Cardiff and don’t need the allowance.
People enter politics with an intention of making the world a better place but almost always end up feathering their own nest and making their own existence as comfortable as can be.
this really does beggar belief. It shows the utter contempt that all our politicians have for us, no matter what political party. Seemingly, this little strumpet is the worst of the lot. Perhaps her party can make a stand and distance themselves from her? Or perhaps they agree with the nose in the trough approach so endemic throughout politics.
It is time for us to do away with the whole idea of politicians and government as they are entirely corruptible - every single one of them.
Welsh Labour are at it again with their own brand of cronyism and nefarious Machiavellian dealings. When will the Welsh electorate ever appreciate that you don’t get politicians with morals when you vote in left wing parties. They are either ensuring their mates buy up land for way below land values thus fleecing us taxpayers of proper value, they set up subsidised aircraft journeys between their place of work and their front door or end up driving under the influence endangering public lives whilst at same time taking us – the public – as fools by claiming hotel expenses when going to what third rate performers.
Only a muggings would attempt to defend any of the above and the people and parties they represent.
I know I may be taking the bait but it isn't just 'the left'', Labour can hardly be called a party of the left any more, but the entire political system is broken. Here's what Parliament have been up too recently http://socialinvestigations.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/nhs-privatisation-compilation-of.html
I think it's scary how ignorant people are about how healthcare can be provided and is provided in other countries. People in the UK seem to genuinly believe that the NHS is a unique system that guarantees universal healthcare and also that it's the envy of the world. From personal experience everytime i've explained to people the different systems that exist in France, Germany, Japan ect there has always been a look of bewilderment on the face of the person I talk to people think that the only other option is some awful American system. In light of the scanadal at Mid Staffs hopefully the faith in our state religion is being shaken and we can have a more open debate.
Hi everyone.
Just found this forumn today so forgive me for my lack of tech knowledge etc. Anyway, what strikes me is actually how intelligent all the submissions have been (with one or two unfortunate exceptions which we can all happily ignore!).
On the one hand, I see exactly where Lyndon, B Leeding Obvious and Simon come from - but also Jantra. What I find really encouraging is that actually you are all pretty much saying the same thing. We're all on the same side.
We all agree that Wales is currently not ready for independence, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't aspire for it.
Political autonomy is different to cultural autonomy and one can be culturally British whilst also aspring for political independence.
Jantra is merely being objective and quite right when he says that we should not want independence for the sake of it - it should only be desirable if it will actually make a better difference in our lives. But actually that's exactly what Plaid Cymru says too (Some of its members probably do want it any cost and that's why they joined - because Plaid is the party that comes closest to serving their belief.).
But that's no reason to diss the party!
Please correct me if I'm wrong Jantra, but from what I have read, you have no objection to aspiring towards independence - it's just that the circumstances have to be right first before one even considers it. I mean, I love my neighbours but I don't want them telling me what colour to paint my house! So - I welcome autonomy for Wales as a goal - but the structures need to be right first otherwise it won't work.
I agree with that sentiment - as does Plaid Cymru and I suspect quite a few members of other parties in Wales.
The thing is that we need to look at things objectively and constructively. And if you pass over the banter and point scoring, what's really encouraging is that there really is a huge amount of expertise and common ground between you. You just need to trust each other that you all have the future of the people of Wales at heart and are trying to find a common solution to it.
Thank you all for this thread - it's really interesting and has educated me immensely.
Perhaps you can now look at what you all have in common and agree on a common manifesto. This would be very exciting - good luck to you all.
I wasn't referring to expenses per se as it is small beer compared to some of the riches to be gained. i do agree with you though. make MPs salaries decent enough. we want inclusive politics so for that we need to make sure MPs are remunerated sufficiently that a decent career can be had. Otherwise as you say it becomes the preserve of either the rich or those backed by the unions which really is in nobodies long term interests.
back to expenses - you make a valid point although the individual is capable of looking at their own moral compass. How many Labour MPs have been indicted in relation to the expenses scandal? How many Welsh AMs choose to take the overnight allowance when they could in all honesty commute to Cardiff? I really don't buy the fact they need somewhere to stay if they work late. I've worked late plenty of times in Bristol - often finishing beyond midnight and I've still managed to get in my car and drive back and still be back in Bristol the next day for 9am. If I'm able to do it so can our AMs. The fact they don't is due to the fact they choose to abuse the system. any AM who lives within an hours drive shouldn't be entitled to any overnight allowances just like the rest of us
Good old statism and socialism, whilst the rest of the uk are powering ahead with house building we in Wales are actually going backwards. Its a good job really as we have a glut of housing and our economy is overheating.
linky
When will people finally appreciate that statism and sociali is not about making things fairer but its about controlling how the masses live their lives.
Cronyism is not an exclusive left wing problem, there is example after example of 'crony capitalism' in the Tory joke of a government we are enduring now. Left polotics is shite but right polotics is far worse. If we had a truly representative political system we would have capitalism that works for everyone not just the small number of establishment toffs at the top.
Anyway, I won't get a say in the concept of tax powers for WAG now that I am in London, but I really hope WAG gets devolved tax powers because then they'll have to take resposibility when thet fuck it all up and people will be able to see that they're not capable of balancing a set of scales let alone real money, crash and burn baby!!
Whilst I don't disagree that a child's education begins at home, this is confirmation from the welsh government/welsh labour/socialist that their education policies are failing our children and that we need a whole new education paradigm.
We knew this already though with Wales' fall through the PISA rankings. It is becoming clear that the left wing/socialist approach reduces standards overall. This government has failed a generation and that will be their legacy. Anyone who has voted for welsh labour are culpable and have to shoulder a proportion of the blame
I was in secondary school in Wales from 2003-2010 I passed my GCSE's but failed miserably at A-Levels. In 2012 I was diagnosed dyslexic by a private psychologist, clearly in school my teachers were just happy to let me coast along or blame me for not being up to standard I know this all anecdotal what I am saying but from what I saw in secondary school and talking to other young people who have left school in Wales clearly there are serious problems in our education system. Jantra is absolutely right Welsh Labour have absolutely failed a generation of Welsh young people in fact they have failed us for a century perfectly happy to sit back and let Wales decline and blame it all on the Tories. I despise them, the sooner they are out of office the better for our country unfortunately that prospect looks as distant as ever unforuntately. Wales has quite an ignorant, apathetic and quite franly stupid electorate.
Jeremy
I'm certainly not standing for office - rest assured that will never happen. I'd rather see the destruction of the state rather than be part of it.
You do raise some interesting points. I have to agree that private education does increase standards and continually gets better results than what the state can achieve. Yet somehow the left seem to think that only the state can provide. Why can't we have something of a halfway house where education is funded by the state but delivered entirely by the private sector? Why does the state have to be all pervasive in what it does? The same applies to health as well - in Germany it is entirely delivered by the private sector and around 4/5 is funded by the state with the rest being private funding. The German system is miles ahead of our NHS but the UK/Welsh socialists/left would rather have inferior levels of service than involve the private sector in service delivery.
I also think that considering we don't really have a media of note in Wales than really scrutinises what the government is doing, it is even more important that as citizens we hold our government to account. We don't seem to have politicians capable of doing that and the media certainly isn't capable. It is important for people to appreciate just how we are faring in Wales compared to the rest of the UK. you cannot hide behind the fact that Wales doesn't have a private education system of note when the Welsh populace vote time and again for left wing policies of dependency and welfare rather than opportunity and individualism.
Jantra,
Why does a private education tend to be more successful or appear to be more successful:
Resources e.g. money, generally, which gives a far more advantageous student:pupil ratio which gives more time per pupil.
Parent expectation, they are paying directly after all. The kids know this and are aware of the expectation and parents are often supportive of their children.
Independence and continuity.
On the minus side private schools cheat the system, they generally enter kids into fewer examinations at GCSE level, and many schools will not enter children unless they are confident they will get a good result. The child can be entered privately, and if they get a good result the school claims the result and refunds the parent. (Friends have children at a famous school in Cheshire where this happens)
That is not to say that lessons cannot be learned from the private sector, more money is needed in the schools to be spent on teachers and facilities. Independence and less top down direction from both government and business. Supportive parents with expectation of their children, often missing or misplaced for example believing that little Johnny is an angel when they are a right shit in school and not supporting school discipline.
Absolutely right about the media in Wales, but is also applies to the National & regional Media in the UK as a whole, papers have major economic problems which cuts real journalism, commercial television generally avoids complex socio-economic problems and the BBC has been in a political straight jacket since the Iraq War. You have to search for stories and information and most people will never do this.
Jeremy
private education appears more successful because it is more successful. I agree that resources are different but you need to remember the state still provides funding for private schools albeit not all of it. The state school system prefers to spend its money on a bureaucratic leviathan overseeing the system as a whole rather than spending the money on more teachers. I know which I'd prefer: less bureaucrats and more teachers. The bureaucrats need something to do so they are continually monitoring and recording the performance of the teachers which results in teachers focussing less on teaching and more on paperwork and processes. The recent PISA results showed Finland as a model to follow. Finland has minimal state intervention in its schooling system so what is the first thing the Welsh Government announces as a result - more state intervention. You couldn't make it up.
The state is clearly not fit for purpose any longer. Too much is spent on wasteful bureaucracy rather than delivering front line services and the impact is clear for all to see. Political parties aren't concerned with the long term welfare of the nation and are only interested in ensuring they are voted in at the next election. Between 1997-2003 Labour increased the public sector by 1m people: 200k front line staff and 800k administrative roles. It beggars belief that you require an extra 800k people to provide support to 200k front line staff - the ratio should be the other way around. In other words, Labour flooded the public sector with around 750k more jobs that were really required and they did this to secure votes - no other reason. The cost of providing such additional staff is around £30bn per annum - and some wonder why the UK is in the financial mess it is in.
When you consider that you need to find something to do for the extra 750k workers, you suddenly appreciate that the processes have to be amended to ensure the 750k workers have something to do. This increases bureaucracy and reduces productivity whilst at the same time slows the whole system down. We have seen the resultant affects in Wales with respect to the economy, education and health.
If you are wondering where I am going with this then the point is that political parties aren't the most appropriate method of government. All parties look to the next election rather than looking to make long term decisions for the benefit of everyone. For that reason, the state cannot be trusted to make the right decisions in terms of eduction, health and the economy. By all means the state can fund health and education, but it really is best left to the private sector to deliver. German healthcare is a prime example of this philosophy along with the UK private education system.
It will never happen as some people are so preoccupied with ideology that they were prefer to see lower standards overall than admit that perhaps the free market is better at delivery than state capitalism.
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