Holiday Attacks – what the government is not telling you!
June 29, 2015 Leave a comment
Many condolences to the many families and friends that have been affected by the killings in Tunisia. Also to the many ordinary Tunisian’s who want to live their life in peace!
So how do these terrible events happen?
The UK government certainly does not tell its citizens the full story which goes back many years. Post world-War II there were two great powers: America and the USSR. America’s top foreign policy was to stop the spread of communism, secure oil contracts and promote western values in Arab countries. While Europe became protected under America’s nuclear program the America saw authoritarian Arab governments the best deterrent to stop the spread of communism. Western governments then proceeded to prop up these governments for self-interest and their own benefit. Arab states became reliant on oil income which counted for up-to 90% of their income. Economists call this type of economy “rent” as it is the term for income acquired by states from sources other than taxes.
In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s the free market economy became prevalent, many of these countries in return for loans from the World Bank and other Western Institutions had to implement economic reforms and later on privatisation. Yet, the majority of this money was passed down to those already in power or to their family members. There was little distribution of wealth for the general public.
When the Arab spring began again Western governments felt it was the opportunity to bring Western style democracy to these countries that had never experienced such a system. It was bound to fail! Since the end of World-War II there has been endless Western interference into Arab states. It is a fact that 80% of all arms production from the West goes to states we currently class as rogue or have been in conflict with recently. The West has interfered economically, also military, that it is hardly surprising we have the rise of groups like IS.
The ideology of IS is something many of us can’t stomach but for their supporters it’s very logical. For them, it’s payback for all years of Western interference. This is something Western governments will not tell you – that their hands are on the current situation. The UK have sent troops to kill, (in the Queens name), they send “in their eyes” troops to kill in the name of Allah and when you get down to the nitty gritty of the situation there is not a lot different in the minds of both camps.
In my last piece of work I wrote that I do not see things getting any better – in-fact, I see things getting worse. The single gunman is rarely predicted and all Western society could be a target. It’s a sad state of affairs when people are not free to travel and gain experience from different cultures. Our world however is sadly becoming dangerous place.
With refuges increasing, armed groups increasing, pressure will mount on governments so they will increasingly take draconian measures which supress freedoms and increasingly control the news. The outcome in the end is that society will break down.
Should they stay or should they go?
September 10, 2014 Leave a comment
With just over a week until Scotland decides the polls put the ‘better together campaign’ and the ‘yes campaign’ just a hairs breath from each other. In all the debates it seems The English voice has long been lost, possibly because we don’t get to vote.
As an Englishman, six months ago and I would have said it is better that Scotland stayed within the UK. Now, I’ve changed my mind! Whatever happens on September 18th 2014 Westminster politics is never going to be the same. As an Englishman I do not like the devo-max option now on the table. I can’t see why the UK should still fund some of Scotland’s activities and allow their MP’s to claim vast amounts of expenses while on their jollies in Westminster. The question has to be ‘in’ or ‘out’, there is no devo-max option on the voting paper.
A truly independent Scotland must vote ‘yes’. Yes, this will mean having a Scottish currency and its own institutions. The Bank of England cannot be the bank of last resort if Scottish fiscal policy goes belly up in the future. A central bank of Scotland that will control interest rates, borrow and print money. You can even call your cash the ‘Scottish Pound’.
Now, I do believe the Scots have been sold short by Mr Salmond because all this nation building takes time and buckets of cash. In the Age of Empires you get from being a tiny settlement to a mega metropolis in a few hours. It’s also very easy for those buckets filled by oil to dry up on various new institutions. With no cash crossing the wall I believe Scotland will struggle to maintain, certainly over time, this socialist utopia Mr Salmond has sold the people. Will GDP suffer? Perhaps? Do you really think the divide between the political class and the ordinary person will shrink? I don’t think so, a new Scottish political class will emerge and the gap will grow ever increasing while the general worker will find prescription and university fees introduced and their taxes increased. Maybe, this is price Scott’s are prepared to pay, high taxes for a more equal society. If that is so, then I solute you with a scots whisky! Yet, this is the risk you must take if you truly want an independent Scotland, Well, look at it this way ‘The UNION’ is only 300 years old and that’s not long in the thousands of years of history.
As for the English, this is also a good opportunity. While once the thought of regional assemblies was laughable due to the fact they were nothing more than a talking shop. However, with real powers they could finally bring the Conservative party vision of localism to real fruition by diverting power from Westminster to the regions. Of-course, I say this with much irony as most intelligent thinkers know it’s never any party policy be that of, Labour, Conservative, Lib-Dem or UKIP to divert power away from Westminster.
The UNION is dead… long live the post union!
Filed under Comment, Economics, General News, Political News Tagged with independent Scotland, Mr Salmond, Scotland, Westminster