Will bribery boost Nick Clegg's popularity?

Nick Clegg is desperately trying to turn around the catastrophic collapse in his popularity and the support for his party ... following crushing defeats in recent elections. 

Local election results were a catastrophe for the Liberal Democrat party, and the Referendum on Electoral Reform turned into an anti-Clegg vote instead of a vote on changing the electoral system (given it was his pet project) - which was a major setback to any real democracy in this country.

But will bribing the country, by offering them a few shares in RBS, help revive support for him and his party, or will voters see it for what it is? Early indications seem to suggest the latter, but if it this con does work, it will just go to show how low these politicians are prepared to go and how gullible, selfishness and immoral the people have become (giving up their principles, such as trust, honor and respect for others, for cash). 

By giving the share money away they expect most of it to be immediately spent back in the economy, but if they used the money to pay off debt it would reduce the tax burden for generations to come ... so everyone would benefit (ie. children, and their children). However the problem with paying off debt in this way is that the children don't have a vote, so there is no point in Nick Clegg trying to bribe them! If Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats really cared about the future he would focus on the future generation too. Instead he wants to give everyone on the electoral register (i.e. with a vote) a few shares, but is not interested in putting any shares into trust funds for the young, or reducing their tax burden and/or helping to reverse the tripling of student fees!

Nick Clegg needs to remember that Gordon Brown tried hard (and failed) to gain popularity and also create dependency ... by bribing people with their own money (and money he did not have) and by expanding 'tax credits' to higher income groups! Brown then went on to warn people not to vote for someone else ... as they might lose the benefits they were now used to getting! His scam didn't work ... and voters still voted with the feet ... and away from one of the most callous and manipulative 'leaders' in history. Let's hope the electorate are clever enough to spot Clegg's game, and walk away from this scam too!

Blogging - why do we do it?

John Demspter, a fresher to the world of blogging, joined Stephanie Flanders blog recently and instantly made an impact. His questioning was sound, his passion to make difference very evident, and his desire to join people together to open up and tackle the issues clear. He also explained why we need to do it ... and for me he articulated this so well I have decided to summarise what he said here ...

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Post 375. At 11:40pm on 21 Nov 2009, Dempster wrote:

"To Leanomist, ishkandar, Bobrocket, stephenblencowe, armagediontimes, glanaflon, CDG & all other bloggers contributing to this website

I suggest that: as adults with a responsibility to the children, the teenagers and the young families who inherit what comes after us, that we do the right and proper thing.

To consider the issues that face this country, we should debate them and as best as we individuals can, in this limited environment in which we blog, endeavour to show that we did at least try.

Having read what you have posted, I do not believe that a single one of you, would not do that which is right by the future of our children.

Our voices are unlikely to be heard, but at least we gave it our best shot.

I am an absolute nobody, I freely admit it, but you lot give me hope, perhaps you can give hope to others."

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Post 383. At 01:13am on 22 Nov 2009, Dempster wrote:

"To Leanomist, ishkandar, Bobrocket, stephenblencowe, armagediontimes, glanaflon CDG, spartacus & all other bloggers contribruting to this website

Those who will come after us, hope that we will do the right and proper thing by them.

If we don’t do it, then what is our legacy?

Imagine if you are a child, would you hope that adults would do the right thing by you?

I suspect that most of us bloggers are not young people. But what we post may influence the future for those who come after us.

I’m still a naïve blogger, and whilst it may be a forlorn hope, perhaps we can make some difference.

Put your self in the position of a young child, what would you hope we would do?

A young child would want us to look after their best interest… perhaps I am wrong?

But you lot know the answer to that question, don’t you".

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and in response I added ...

Post 383 John Demspter - Well put and I agree with you. Your comments sum up very well my reason for writing ... and why I set up the Poweromics blog too ... which will

i) continue until the environment around us changes,

ii) track/chart the history of the revolution,

iii) try to point out all those responsible/culpable, and

iv) try to acknowledge those taking responsibility to try to do something about it.

and with regard to (iv) you are clearly one such person - hence you are already referred to in it - take a look here for instance.

PS Nobody is a nobody - and you've already made an impact here (on me at least).

'For evil to flourish, all it needs is for good men to do nothing' [Edmund Burke]

The Writing's on the Wall ...

I was interested to read an observation made by a fellow blogger (writingsonthewall) on Robert Peston's blog (post 60), referring to where the current slight up-turn in house prices comes from ... and what we are yet to face (e.g. 'capitulation' & 'despair') - it chimed with a number of people reading the blog and with much of what I've been saying here too ... so I thought I'd summarise his comments here too ... and link it to my previous post ...

"... you can listen to all the optimism - or you can prepare for the worst and be pleasantly surprised if the worst does not happen. This graph (included below) beautifully explains where the mini-boom comes from. It's for the housing market but it applies to all asset bubbles (and we are currently moving towards 'return to normal') ..."

As pointed on in my last post, wealth manipulation 'transfers' wealth (e.g. share dealing, loans, mortgages, debts) ... whereas wealth creation is achieved by 'providing value' which 'creates wealth' (e.g. products, services, shelter ...).

House prices are starting to stabilise/go up again slightly (e.g. in the UK), partly as we've been building too few houses for so many years (nb a lot of projects have virtually stopped now too = i.e. we've stopped creating any more value - i.e. real value/wealth!) ... and partly due to the low interest rates at the moment (NB the gap between the rate at which banks now lend money compared with the Bank of England rate itself).

However asset (house) price inflation is arguably not what most hard-working families should be looking for ... as it simply means our children, and our children's children become forced into taking on more debt (and effective poverty/stress), for more of their lives (just to pay for a roof over their head) - so that the bankers/landowners can benefit from this more.

A reality check is due (as highlighted in the graph) and this hasn't happened yet ... but it will and the whole 'illusion of wealth' will go with it, alongside the current 'political' and 'economic' system ...

This will be further exacerbated when people realise that the politicians have effectively colluded with the bankers to take the future health, wealth and prosperity away from our children, and children's children (paid off in future debts/taxes), due to the colossal bailouts of the banks (who have made billions, have personally pocketed millions, and who are now doing exactly the same thing again - and all at our expense, and not from 'creating wealth', but by 'manipulating wealth!).

History says change will happen, and with the advent of the internet now, it's likely to occur in many different ways ...

A 'battle' that 'transcends nations' ...

In the future, there is a growing risk of unrest, conflict and war. If this does happen, it's likely to start through 'leaders' (who apply Poweromics) creating conflict 'between nations', when in reality the 'battle' of the 21st century should actually be a 'battle of values' ... which 'transcends nations'. In my book I refer to the demise of nations (due to out of date 'leadership' and 'management' practices), combined with the impact of growing unrest created by competition for limited natural resources too (e.g. oil, gas, metals and water).

All the above are completely predictable, but they are not the root cause of the problem - the root cause of the actual problem turns out to be the application of Poweromics by a small minority, at the expense of the vast majority (applying Ignoromics). Leanomics, and the 21st century leadership and management practices it creates, have the unique ability to turn communities, enterprises and nations around, but most of those in positions of 'authority' and 'power' (who apply Poweromics) will try to stop this from happening (and would rather see our nations to go to war instead) ...

Ignoromics will soon reduce (powered by the internet). More hard-working people will start to take responsibility for challenging the 'values system' that currently prevails (Poweromics & Ignoromics), and for changing it for the better (e.g. one based on 'Leanomics') ... but this may not happen until nations are already at war - fighting each other over resources such as oil, food and water ... instead of fighting the 'values system' that starves all nations of a better future.

Nations, their children, and their children's children are already getting killed in the wrong types of 'wars' ... let's hope Ignoromics reduces sooner rather than later, and the 'battle of values' begins, so the human race can move on, for the benefit of everyone (and the overall environment), and stop the outdated system set up to serve the self interest/greed of just a few ...

I was struck by the comments made below by fellow bloggers (whilst discussing 'does size matter', as well as China and other countries moving away from the dollar) and added my own comment as a result too (as well as the additional comments above).

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• Post 80 (armagediontimes) wrote:

  #62 $ #77 Ishkandar. What do you think the Chinese reaction will be when they are told by Uncle Sam that they just have to swallow the losses on all those US T bills.
  
  Clearly none of the potential solutions as set in #77 will be remotely acceptable to the self appointed rulers of the world.
  
  Do you think the Chinese understand that there is to be no payback?

  
  

  Post 82 (Ishikandar) wrote:

  #80 "What do you think the Chinese reaction will be when they are told by Uncle Sam that they just have to swallow the losses on all those US T bills. Do you think the Chinese understand that there is to be no payback?"

  They don't just understand, they think there is a strong likelihood !! And they are not alone in this !! That's why there is a rising number of calls by various governments for an independent international reserve currency !! The alternative is to dump USD debts and get whatever they can which will be better than nothing !! However, that will totally destroy America's economy once and for all !!

  The BRIC countries have already agreed that this is a viable alternative and Japan and South Korea are in tentative agreement !!

  If America wishes to be suicidal, so be it !!This situation is akin to one child telling another, "If you does not do things my way, I'll hold my breath until I turn blue" !! Highly effective as a blackmail threat, I'm sure !! :-)

  
  

  Post 83 (armagediontimes) wrote:

  #82 Ishkandar - Sounds reasonable, and therein lies the problem.

  The rulers of the world spend $1 in every $4 on "defence." So far as they are concerned the BRIC countries role is to do as instructed not to do as they think. No-one wants their thoughts, only their money.

  Look at the US economy today - $ trillions are poured into Wall Street, the rule of law has been suspended insofar as it related to financial oligarchs and Goldman announce record bonuses. Meanwhile 1 in 10 Americans rely on food stamps, and 1 in 50 US children are homeless.

  This tells you something; namely that the only interest of US elites is US elites. From that perspective they will not consider their actions to be suicidal as they personally expect to survive.

  Stand by to receive instructions. If you do not like the instructions you can say a big hello to no less than 12 US Carrier battlegroups.

  
  

  Post 84 (Leanomist) wrote:

  Lots of great posts here ... just the thread 80-84 above provides lots of insight for instance ... and points out the clear and predictable risk of war between nations (which is also covered in the book 'Lean World'* - and if it occurs, it will be mostly driven by those applying Poweromics, up until more hard-working people step forward and take responsibility for changing this). IMHO the real 'battle' we therefore face now is one that transcends nations, and is as 'battle of values'**, and those applying Poweromics cannot be allowed to make it into something different (which they will of course predictably try to do) ...

  
  

  David Clift, A Future 500 Leader

  * Take a look at P222-227 in http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=-8xAIgkewOUC&printsec=frontcover for instance.

  ** Take a look at http://poweromics.blogspot.com/2009/06/for-evil-to-flourish.html for instance.

  
  

The "illusion of wealth" and the 'illusion of freedom" ...

Flanders blog "Spending Rows" was an interesting one .... as a number of comments went on to explore more fundamental issues too - like the real reasons the UK is in such a mess ... this is nothing new, but I was struck by one of the last comments ... about the "illusion of wealth" and the "illusion of freedom" ... which I thought I'd share (Post 54 below), with a few additional thoughts ...

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Post 54 (MrTweedy) wrote:

We recently had the "illusion of wealth" through debt, and we are still developing the illusion of freedom through mass market exploitation. Unfortunately, mass market exploitation encourages reckless and feckless behaviour, which in turn acts as a drag on the general economy and the welfare state.

The whole thing is a balancing act, between the positive and negative affects of liberal behaviour. The more liberal we are, the bigger the potential mass market, and the bigger the potential profits for those at the top of the pyramid.

The recent asset bubbles eventually became unstable due to excessive gearing/ leverage. Similarly, if the British population becomes too free (excessive freedom), the liberal bubble will burst, and we'll end up with a bankrupt welfare state and an ungovernable workforce.

In this context, "excessive freedom" is a lack of restraint amongst the wider population. Examples include: health problems, such as diabetes, caused by lack of moderation in diet; drug and alcohol addiction; marital breakdown; financial debt; distrust of authority; loss of social capital and increased individualism; mental health issues due to psychological manipulation from the marketing of lifestyle products and the motivational science of business and the effects of a fast edited media frenzy; trafficking of prostitutes for the sex industry; lack of purpose and lack of shared values; lack of good education, despite half the population possessing a degree; etc etc etc......

Unfortunately, all the above have a financial effect on the economy. 

The three main political parties in Britain all have a liberal mass market agenda, because they know it is much harder to contain the negative affects of liberal behaviour than it is to benefit from the positive affects. They all live in hope of constant economic expansion keeping the balance positive. However, there is a significant risk that the balance will move to the negative as the unstainable elements outweigh the positives. If and when this happens, the liberal bubble will burst and Britain will end up morally and financially bankrupt. We will then have to beg the adult countries of the world to bail us out.

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Post 55 (leanomist) wrote: 

Eloquently put Mr Tweedy (Post 54)

I also believe that many of the results of 'excessive freedom' quoted are generated from the application of outdated 'economics'* too ... 

which systematically generates 'divides' (e.g. individualism), 'waste' (between 40-80% of our taxes are wasted) and 'stress' (e.g. just trying to keep a basic roof over the head**), as well as driving more 'self interest' and 'greed' too (ie. it 'amplifies' them). 

Such outcomes make the overall 'economy' worse, and gives lots of otherwise hard-working people 'little hope' (e.g. future generations) - i.e. the 'values system' is broke, and 21st century 'economics' will have to rebuild it ...

David Clift, a Future 500 Leader

* Poweromics = People using position and power for their own personal gain, based on poor moral values, self interest and greed. Take a look at http://poweromics.blogspot.com for more examples/information.

** If the Government had ensured a steady supply of housing (an actual asset) over the last decade, the focus on property prices going up (asset inflation) would have been much less (and the banks would not have been able to profit so greatly from this failure). When the Government introduced inheritance tax they also made 'land' one of the few things exempt from it too! ... how about taxing 'land ownership', as people cannot avoid it by moving their 'land' abroad, and it would make the mega-rich landowners (e.g. the Duke of Westminster) more likely to release some of it, instead of snapping up more of it and holding on it (nb footballers on £100,000 a week are starting to cashing in on this loophole too) ... so our children don't have to pay 'an arm and a leg' just to get a 'roof over their head', and get more 'freedom' to be 'innovative & creative' too ...

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Poweromics - failing our children ...

Education in the UK is failing our children, our children's children ... and our nation. Rather than equipping people for the future, the Government has, through the systematic introduction of 19th Century management practices (e.g. outdated strategies, league tables and targets), been driving education backwards ... 

From their ivory tower they have systematically used their position of 'power' to dictate strategy ('Every Child Matters'), introduce 'league tables' & 'targets', and 'drive in' numerous ill-conceived 'policies', 'initiatives' and 'tests' (e.g. inclusion, literacy hour, numeracy hour, SATS etc). At first glance some of these may have appeared sensible, but it doesn't take long to find fundamental flaws.  For instance here's just a few:

1. The strategy "Every Child Matters" is a statement, not a strategy.  It has also been implemented alongside an all-embracing inclusion policy, which makes it very difficult for teachers to ensure that all children are able to learn to the best of their ability. As a result many teachers are now having to spend most of their time/energy dealing with a minority of very disruptive children (who, due to inclusion, are less easy to exclude), rather than helping the majority of children to learn. This is a flawed ill-thought out 'strategy' which fails everyone, and shows little understanding of education, psychology and 21st century management practice. It also demonstrates a lack of consultation with (and trust in) those 'responsible for teaching our children' (nb. another attribute of those who like to apply Poweromics)!  

2. League tables have predictably pushed most schools to dumb down 'learning', particularly at GCSE level, in favor of making sure children understand/practice the 'process' of getting an answer to pass an exam (and 'collect a certificate'), to get their school 'performance' and 'league table' positions higher. But an education is not just about 'collecting certificates' - it's meant to prepare children for the future, and to help them to 'learn' to learn ... so they can develop understanding, apply knowledge and continue to learn in the future (e.g. by progressively developing their problem solving, creativity and communication skills). 

3. The Government introduced league tables in order to give parental choice, and to drive up standards, but in reality many parents have been disappointed and given little choice - since those parents who want their child to go to the school with the highest results find there is no way that school can take them all. All this has done is to push up house prices in those areas where results are highest (creating another post code lottery), whilst steering schools to spend more of their time/energy on helping children to 'collect certificates' at the expense of helping them to 'learn to learn' - i.e. pushing up results, but driving down the 'standard of education' ... which Universities are getting particularly concerned about now with A levels.

Dr W. Edwards Deming pointed over 20 years ago that most (e.g. between 80-90%) of the variation in the performance of an enterprise is a result of "the overall system", rather than the capabilities of the people involved (ie the children & teachers), and the introduction of league tables/targets into education (as well as the issues above) has made the "overall system" much worse.  Just as some Police forces are now starting to do (See "The Targets era is over" ...), such 19th century management practices (arguably better described as "shackles") need to be systematically removed and replaced by 21st century management practices ... ones which help front line staff (teachers, supported by head-teachers) to prepare children for the world of the future ... a world that'll be very different to that of today ...

We need to reduce the gulf appearing between what the system is currently doing and what children need to succeed in the future (e.g. take a look at this simple, but brief and brilliant, video called "Shift Happens" to see what I mean, and to see some of the challenges facing future generations). A better strategy is desperately needed (based on Leanomics*, instead of Poweromics!) which is much clearer, wide ranging and motivating in its goals (e.g. "Giving all our Children the best possible start in life") ... and one teachers can readily relate to and, given our support, aspire to bring about. Whilst this may seem a somewhat minor change, it would actually create a profound impact on education and beyond, as it would re-enforce the primary purpose of education and it would also fundamentally change the attitude/policies with respect to managing disruptive children (i.e. in fact it would radically change numerous educational policies, as well as re-enforce the relationships with many other government agencies too). 

The economy is already in crisis, and not addressing this now will only make things much worse in the future. Education is not a 'political football', it's a necessity and essential to the future of us all ... but will Government 'leaders' take note, take responsibility and trust those actually responsible for educating our children (i.e. the teachers) ... by supporting them in helping our children to 'learn' to learn, and to continuously improve the way education is provided (augmenting & supporting the roles & responsibilities of parents) ... in order to "give all our children the best possible start in life"?

The Government needs to apply 21st century management practices and invest in a framework that provides an effective 21st century education now ... and not just rely spin, head-lines or shiny looking buildings ! 

Emerging economies are rapidly doing this, and if we don't do so soon we will fall further behind and find it difficult to catch up ...

* Leanomics = People taking responsibility for adding value and continuously improving the situation for others (e.g. customers, communities, overall environment), based upon fundamental values such as trust, honor, responsibility and respect.