Professional politicians?

I sometimes wonder if it is an ‘age thing’.  Am I turning into a ‘grumpy old man’?  I will let others be the judge of that.

I certainly am becoming less tolerant of the foolish behaviour of those that have been elected as our leaders.  I will give four recent examples of what I view as poor leadership. 

The most egregious is that of President Obama.  I can’t figure out if it is by design or by default that Obama has managed to throw away America’s pre-eminence on the world stage but that is exactly what has happened on his watch.   

In the South China Sea, China is establishing itself as a regional superpower and flexing its swiftly growing naval muscles.  Where America’s navy used to have command and unfettered freedom to roam and support ‘Pax Americana’ the Chinese have been ignoring the claims (rights?) of South China Sea nations such as Vietnam and the Philippines.  They are simply moving into territory claimed by these nations and annexing them and expanding other small islands so as to extend their territorial claims.  All the while, the Obama administration downplays the actions of the Chinese, when it can be bothered to even recognise such actions, and refuses to meaningfully confront them.  It can be no consolation that by expelling the Americans, as the Philippines did in the post-Marcos era, they maybe brought some of this upon themselves because that misses the two fundamental points.  China sees that it has a manifest destiny to be a much bigger global player and, as a first step must have complete control of its own back-yard.  That they have also sent ships up into waters off of Alaska, even while Obama was visiting that state, maybe says something about how big they consider, their backyard to be!  Also, the lack of a robust response from the Obama administration will cause Pacific rim nations to read the writing on the will and start to drift from the American sphere of influence to that of China’s.

In the Middle East too, America has lost any initiative it had.  The unwillingness to confront Daesh and the blind support of any anti-Assad organisation has meant that America has effectively armed both its immediate and eventual enemies.  At the same time, America has failed to support the only local group – the Kurdish Peshmerga – who are taking the fight to Daesh.  Obama, having effectively lost Egypt, is now in danger of losing Iraq.  The inaction of Obama – and don’t be fooled with any talk about the coalition bombing missions, these have been nothing but a half-hearted sop to the home audience – has led to the emergence of Iran as a bigger player, that now, just about has to be at the table making decisions. 

More importantly, this has ceded to Russia, the opportunity to go in and bolster its long-time client state of Syria and to be portrayed as doing more forcefully and effectively what they Americans have been so far reluctant to do.  Like Bill Clinton, before him, Obama wants to (very reluctantly) fight an enemy, solely from the air, though Obama is even more squeamish about ‘boots on the ground’ or indeed any kind of meaningful involvement.  If news reports are to be believed, the Obama administration has spent $500 million training a handful – maybe as few as twenty – of Syrians to fight Daesh and/or Assad (their mission wasn’t really clear).  Of these only one or two remain in the programme and the caches of weapons and materiel that the Obama administration supplied, is now in the hands of rebels!  Shades of America’s actions in Soviet occupied Afghanistan, methinks.  Wasn’t Einstein who said that the definition of madness was doing the same thing, time after time and expecting a different outcome?

A further unfortunate outcome of Obama’s timid Syria policy, is that Russia’s muscular approach in Syria, is allowing their not-so-covert invasion of Ukraine to slide off of the news pages.   Pause for a moment and think back to the last time you heard a news story about Ukraine.  The invasion is still going on but the news media circus has moved on.   Remember too, that during this invasion, a passenger airline has been shot down from the sky by a Russian supplied ground to air missile.  The official report on the air crash came out and caused a minor stir and has now been filed away.  283 people died and still Russia gets to sit at the top table with civilised people!  Another gift from Obama!  In the recent talks on Syria, John Kerry praised the efforts of Sergei Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister.  Instead he should and so should the rest of the world, pound and pound the Russians until the murderers of those 283 people are brought to justice. 

Rather than focus on the short-comings of Obama and his inept administration, it wouldn’t do to ignore Chancellor Angela Merkel.  As I have said, in earlier posts, Merkel’s statement of an open invitation to ‘refugees’, was just like those teenagers that post on Twitter or Facebook ‘party at my house, tonight’ and then are shocked to discover that the whole world, or at least a significant part of the local area’s youth turns up and crashes the party.  Now Merkel is rueing the day she stupidly opened her mouth.  Germany, by the end of the year, may have taken in between one and one and a half million ‘refugees’ .  It is clear, from social media, that those ‘refugees’ already in country have worn out their welcome.  There are regular demonstrations against the ‘refugees’ and against Merkel’s policy – even though she is, belatedly, closing the door.  We hear and see  that these ‘refugees’ who, contrary to the images that are mostly portrayed in the media, are very predominantly young males.  We also hear that an epidemic of rape and sexual assaults is breaking out, in Germany and the satellite countries.  Also, a number of diseases such as scabies and STDs. 

Then there is David Cameron.  He was elected, with a parliamentary majority, in the May General Election.  This came as something of a surprise, to many (most?).  Maybe even to Cameron, himself?  Now Cameron is desperately trying to hold a renegotiation of the terms of Britain’s membership of the European Union without actually negotiating anything.  The result will be then put to a referendum before the end of 2017.  Cameron is in a difficult position (of his own making) because having been elected, as Conservative leader, in 2005, on a Euro-sceptic ticket, and needing to keep many of his own MPs on board as well as trying to see-off the anti-EU UKIP, he now has to negotiate something which he really doesn’t want and then run the risk of the British people rejecting his efforts and then his government needing to negotiate Britain’s exit from the EU. 

In case you are not clear on what it is that Cameron – and by extension, the UK – want as part of the renegotiation, you are not alone.  Most people in Britain have an idea of what the country wants, however, this hasn’t been expressed, other than through media polls and such, to our EU partners.  One appreciates that negotiations need to be conducted with a certain degree of secrecy but I get the impression that Cameron doesn’t even know what to put forward as Britain’s negotiating position.  Must be very frustrating for our EU partners.    

A sure sign of the way the political wind is blowing – or at least how Cameron and the political elite, want it to blow – is that there seems to be no contingency plan for how Britain might actually manage to extricate from the European Union, should the people of Britain, so decide.  To me, announcing that such planning was being undertaken, would serve as a very strong signal to the UK’s EU partners, that Britain means business but this negotiating tool isn’t even being mentioned. 

Perhaps all of these examples reflect what happens when we have professional politicians as opposed to those that have experience of the real world.  Obama, Merkel and Cameron between them, have never really had a ‘proper’ job.  Never run a business or worried about how to make this week’s payroll.  Never had to go through the same daily grind, that so many of the voters must endure, etc..

I started this post by wondering if this was an age thing.  I conclude though that it is them, not me.  I think I am reasonably sane and normal, it is just this political elite that is acting crazy! 

What do you think?

EU Immigration - The solution

The European Union is facing an unprecedented invasion, right now.

Hundreds of thousands of immigrants from Africa and the Middle East are swarming into the EU, or are poised to do so.  Germany is said to be facing an influx of more than 800,000, this year.

This solution might work for some of them.

Many of these migrants are Muslims, fleeing war in Syria and Iraq or in Somalia or Eritrea or Ethiopia or Afghanistan.

Surely it would be far, far better for these migrants to be re-housed in a culture that is more in keeping with their own?

So why don't the EU authorities turn these people around and send them to Saudi Arabia or Iran - depending upon which Islamic sect, they follow.

Both are rich countries, both are strongly religious and won't persecute the migrants for practicing their religion - so long as they chose the right country.  Both are large countries with plenty of room for settling large numbers.  Saudi Arabia has a large population of immigrants from the Indian sub-continent - mainly Pakistan, it could simply replace these with the immigrants that are most in need.

This solution would reduce the burden on European countries and stop the indigenous people from feeling swamped and for their ailing economies being even more strained.  Plus, it gives the Saudis and the Iranians the opportunity to show charity and compassion to their co-religionists.  Win/Win really!

This would also take away the opportunity of those in Europe to say that these are merely economic migrants - just looking for a better life in Europe, than they can achieve at home.

If this is successful and these masses of Muslims could be accommodated within these two stalwarts of the Muslim community, then perhaps those Muslims that have migrated to Europe, during previous upheavals, could also leave and settle there, as well.

Too simplistic?  Consider how many Greeks and Turks moved in opposite directions when those nations moved apart in the 1920's.  Consider how many Muslims moved from what was to become India to what was to become Pakistan, in 1947 (and Hindus in the opposite direction.)  Mass migration can work, indeed has worked but has been most successful, when the people moving, move to an area with which they are culturally familiar.

Maybe the Americans could try this with their non-Mexican immigrants?  Let them stay in Mexico rather than take them into the USA and put them, (in an effort to disperse the large numbers) into alien environments.

If something isn't done though, watch for the further rise of far Right parties in Europe.  The French National Front is already in the ascendancy and will only be stopped from taking the French presidency by a coalition of Socialists, Communists and Conservatives.  We see, in Spain, Greece and Germany, a backlash building.  Even in my beloved UK, the UK Independence Party garnered a lot of support, in the last General Election, because of it's anti-immigration policies.

Doing nothing, isn't really an option!

So what now, for the Coalition?

Firstly, both the Conservatives and the Lib Dems should understand that there is a message and it isn't n opportunity to put some kind of spin on things.

Yes, the last time that these seats were contested, these parties did well and so, the 'pendelum' effect means that this time they were almost bound to lose seats.  But, why both parties?  Why so heavily?  And, why, at a time when the public have moved towards understanding the need for austerity, (to at least varying degrees) would they move to ever higher spending Labour?  This is the same Labour that have never apologised for their economic incompetence!

It seems obvious to say, but the only answer is that the electorate that voted, wanted to punish the Coalition.  I don't believe it is because of the alleged cuts (check out the actual level of 'cuts' and you will see that public expenditure is being reduced at a far too low rate, if at all.)

No, I believe it's because the Coalition is fundamentally flawed.

Cameron and Clegg are committed to trying to do what is right for the country. 

• Cameron thinks this requires being magnanimous and a 'gentleman' - so he doesn't push Conservative policies down Clegg's throat - it's not the 'done thing'.
• Clegg was the photo-genic candidate for leader that could add votes for the Lib Dems and not scare the voters, while at the same time not getting in the way of the unruly Lib Dem MPs and party activists who wanted to continue to pursue their 'student' politics approach to life at Westminster or in local town halls.

So we have Cameron, bending over backwards to be nice to Clegg and Clegg unable to control his party.

Result?  The electorate see through this and see that the majority Coalition partner (the Conservatives, in case you have forgotten) are fumbling and have no coherent policy.  They have, to use the spin-meister phrase, no narrative. 

What do they stand for?

• If it's the 'Granny Tax' or 'Pasty Tax' why can't these be clearly enunciated?
• Why aren't we seeing power being reclaimed from Europe?
• Why is the UK supporting the failed Euro project?  Don't bother trying to say it's because they are a major trading partner and the rest of that.  We are throwing good money after bad and trying to deny the inevitable - the tide has turned and it's time to get off of the beach!
• Why is time being wasted on changing the definition of marriage?  Where is the groundswell of public clamour for this?
• Why are we funding and keeping our UK armed forces in Afghanistan?
• Why is parliamentary time to be wasted on reform of the House of Lords - I understand the Lib Dems want this but why can't the Conservatives adopt the Nancy Reagan response and 'Just say No!'

I could go on (and on and on) but you get the idea.

We have a Conservative led Coalition that seems to want to do everything that is un-Conservative, to kowtow to their junior partner and seems to have no idea, other than the retention of power, exactly what it is trying to do, in Government.

When will Conservative MPs understand that their complete acquiescence and obeisance to the Lib Dems means that they will pay the price at the ballot box, for their lack of a spine?

UKIP anyone?

Lunacy - EU or Local Government - Take your pick

Fiddling while Rome burns, comes to mind!  And if Italy follows the Greek path, that may be prophetic!

Westminster and the media are very exercised (some might say obsessed) about what did or didn't happen about the BSkyB bid and the contacts that occurred between the government and News International.

Yes, this is the same takeover bid from which NI eventually withdrew!

There are rumours that the Government will also bow to 'New' Labour demands and set-up a public inquiry into the causes and lessons to be learned from the South Sea Bubble Company collapse and that Her Majesty's government will shortly apologize to the original Saxons (or maybe it will be to the Celts) for the activities carried out by the Norman ascendancy, since 1066! 

In the real world, life goes on.

The UK is back in recession, unemployment in Spain is more than 24% and, among under 25s, is more than 52% the Dutch government has fallen (over austerity cuts required to protect the Euro), France looks increasingly likely to elect a Socialist President, who comes with all the usual 'wealth destroying and grabbing' baggage  and British and American troops continue to needlessly die in Afghanistan

In the UK it has been reported that 3,097 local council employees received pay and perks packages in excess of £100,000 last year. Pay and perks includes salary, redundancy and pension payments and top-ups!

Of this number, 880 earned more than the Prime Minister's salary of £142,500.  The numbers breakdown as

• 170  Earning between £142,500 and £150,000   
• 658  Earning between £150,000 and £250,000      
• 170  Earning more than £250,000        

Think about those numbers when you get your local Council Tax bill, this year.

Think about those numbers when you vote in the local elections,  for the incompetent fools that approve such outrageous pay deals.    

See my previous blogs about so called 'Green Energy' and the rip-off and madness that wind power represents and consider that during the recent periods of high wind, in the UK, most (likely to be all)  of this generating capacity was switched off!  That's right, not producing!  Seems that it was the 'wrong kind of wind'!

Spain continues to try and implement austerity cuts but the effect of the cuts is reducing the impact as they are in a downward spiral - more cuts = more unemployed = more welfare claimants = more cuts are required!

The one cut that isn't considered is the link between the Spanish economy and the Euro.  Absent this link, Spain would be able to default on its debt (yes that would undoubtedly lead to pain and anguish, globally, for poorly led banks) and it would then be able to manage its economy, itself, including by enjoying the benefits of a currency that is not tied to the German economy.

The benefits of the Euro accrue to Germany, as the exchange rate for the Euro is depressed because of the weaker economies but the German economy isn't weak, so its exports surge.  Conversely, the weaker economies are punished as borrowing rates diverge and soar.

The EU commission has proposed an increase of 7% in its budget, for next year.  This is apparently so that it can meet the obligations that it has entered into, on behalf of the EU citizens who never elected it, in the first place!  Put another way, I want to take more money from your pocket to spend on things that I consider important and since you can't do anything about it, I expect you to be quiet.

This is the same EU Commission and bureacracy for which the financial accounts have not been approved for the last 16 or more years.  Even for the bank bail-outs our political masters required that they followed some kind of due diligence but, these rules don't apply to our technocratic masters in the EU!

When I said you should be quiet, I mean don't ask your local politicians why you have local cuts in services.  Ask them to cut more so that they can send more money to Brussels!

Meantime, in Afghanistan, Service personnel continue to be exposed to danger and some pay the ultimate price to support the policy of the US and UK governments, which was met (Taliban fell, Bin Laden removed) years ago.  In the process, supporting a corrupt regime that takes (and privately banks) aid dollars from the West and then continues to pump drugs to the West to get more money.

So where is the Foreign Affairs focus, from the UK and US, at the moment?

• Afghanistan, where their military personnel are in harms way?  Don't be silly!  We have a timetable for withdrawal.  Nothing more is required.  Negotiations (sorry, I mean discussions) are underway with the Taliban.  Of course, since the Taliban know the dates of withdrawal, what do you think is their impetus to reach a negotiated political settlement?
• Iran - which may get nuclear military capability soon - some little focus.
• Syria - masses of attention on a country where the anti-government forces are not naturally pro-Western interests
• Libya and Egypt  - next to no focus in countries where, again, anti-Western forces are in the ascendancy.  

  So what's the answer?  I would welcome input.  I will put forward some ideas on a later post.

We used to say, when something crazy was proposed, that the lunatics have taken over the asylum.  I can't think of an appropriate metaphor but it seems to me that we on the outside are the 'lunatics' and those in the asylum are living the dream!