Comments of a Common Man Edition 3 - brief extracts

Brief extracts from my book, 'Comments of a Common Man Edition 3'.

If you value your freedom, read the book in its entirety.

£9.99 from Amazon or enquiries to

info@kjmtoday.com

‘Governments don’t want a population capable of critical thinking. They want obedient workers just smart enough to run the machines and just dumb enough to passively accept their situation’

George Carlin

Contents

Intro

1. Risk

2. Broken

3. Political Candidacy

4. Law and Order, Crime and Punishment

5. History and Hysteria

6. The EU, Immigration, Brexit, the Age of Legal Majority

7. Human Rights

8. Our Caring Society

9. The Death of Wisdom

10. The Orwellian Enigma of Subtle Oppression

11. Three Letters (The NHS)

12. Living

13. War, Peace and Terror

14. The Price of Success

15. For Sale; One country, formerly known as the UK

16. Plebiscite

17. Re-run

18. Linguistica Acrobatica

19. Zed Carr's Happiness Maxims

Chapter One - Risk

Freedom carries with it risk:

The risk that we might get blown up.

The risk that we might be run over by a drunk driver.

The risk that we might be robbed.

The risk that we might, as children, be molested.

The risk that…

There are many - but we either accept those risks or we are not free.

Cont/

.....The restrictions mentioned above were subsequently relaxed, at least a little, but even though the reason for their being introduced to begin with might have been sound enough, like many such examples, the delivery and thus the effect on ordinary lives, was a perfect example of the Law of Unintended Consequences. Like many similar instances, such restrictions are easily introduced and even though they may be withdrawn (for a time) it doesn’t take much for them to be brought back into use and there are many that do remain in force no matter what. When that happens – as it has and does all too often – the future can be rather more worrisome.

This possible scenario is one that should be of some concern:

Cuthbert Jones-Smyth reached into his pocket, took out his identity card and hung it around his neck using the officially issued lanyard. He always did when travelling, whether by bus, air (even though that was severely restricted in today’s world) or, as now, by train. Nobody of course, had cars anymore. They had been banned a while back, except of course, for use by government officials and the state security service. He looked back at the lengthy queues at the bus stops outside the station. It always took a while to get on a bus now; firstly one had to go through the security check before actually getting to the stop itself and then there was the wait for a bus to actually arrive. At least he would be travelling today since the train crews were not on strike, although inevitably, they were running late. He glanced up at the rolling news screens on the station concourse – an announcement was due from the President, broadcast by the single state-run TV and radio station that now existed. That’s why the trains were late; everything stopped when the President made one of his announcements. He looked around; everybody had their eyes fixed on the screen as the face of President Corbyn appeared.

“My fellow citizens,” he said smoothly, his voice echoing slightly around the concourse. “Today is yet another great day in our country’s history. As you know, since I became President, we have revolutionised the way in which we do things. Our policies of state control over everything, including the automation of almost every job, has meant wonderful Citizens Dividend payments to you all so that you can enjoy your daily lives…”

Cuthbert risked a quick look at the station shops, all permanently closed now, as they had been for a long time. Only the state-run news store was open. His gaze returned to the big screen as President Corbyn continued.

“I have dedicated my life to the service of you all and I am pleased to say that our country is the socialist utopia we promised you, that your safety has been maintained…” Out of the corner of his eye, Cuthbert noticed the dark-shirted, uniformed security service officers hustling away a woman who had been caught not watching and listening to the President. She would be taken…somewhere.

Nobody knew where. Or if she would ever be seen again. Probably not. He kept his face looking at the screen as President Corbyn went on.

“As you know, in order to protect you and for you to be safe, I was forced to cancel the general elections that were due to be held on the past two occasions due to security fears. I regret to have to tell you that I am obliged to do the same now and this year’s general election will not be held as we have not yet defeated the enemies of the state. The internet and social media will remain closed for the same reason.'

Chapter Two - Broken

Liberal amounts of discarded plastic and other waste material cover vast areas of the UK - it is a country strewn with litter. Campaigns to clear the country of rubbish thrown thoughtlessly away are admirable and praiseworthy but miss one essential point; why is that rubbish lying about to begin with? Who put it there?

You did.

If not you, then your children. Your relatives and your friends. At the very least, somebody just like you merely dumped it instead of disposing of it properly and insisting, demanding, that local councils do the job that you pay them for.

Chapter Three -Political Candidacy

One other thing that has been graphically demonstrated as being unacceptable to millions across the UK recently has been the inability to sack a bad MP. However, the Recall of MPs Act 2015 does make provision for constituents to be able to recall their MP and call a by-election. It received Royal Assent on 26 March 2015 after being introduced on 11 September 2014. There are some catches though; the Act does not allow constituents to initiate proceedings. Instead, a recall is initiated only if an MP is found guilty of a wrongdoing that fulfils certain criteria. These are:

A custodial prison sentence of a year or less—longer sentences automatically disqualify MPs without need for a petition;

Suspension from the House of least 10 sitting days or 14 calendar days, following a report by the Committee on Standards;

A conviction for providing false or misleading expenses claims.

If you don’t vote, then you don’t have the right to moan if you don’t like what the Government does. Or what your local council does. So not only should you vote, you should actively seek out those elected (whether you voted for them or not), your MP, your local councillor, and ask them what they are doing for you and in your name, since you are one of those who gave them their job to start with and you are paying their salary (you are in charge, you pay your taxes – remember?).

Apart from that, if only a minority of people do vote, there is a chance – a good chance - that a rather oppressive movement gets its grimy paws on the levers of power; power over you.

Put another way, bad politicians get elected by people who don’t vote.

Chapter 4 Law and Order, Crime and Punishment

Did you know the Police do not need a search warrant to enter your home, search it and take away whatever they wish?

No? Didn’t think so…well, they don’t.

Chapter 9 The Death of Wisdom

In many countries, older people are revered, they are listened to and when needed, looked after and cared for. Their life experience is considered valuable.

Except in one – this one.

The United Kingdom has gone out of its way to drive a wedge between generations. It manifests itself in a number of ways, most notably the way in which older people are left to rot in hospital corridors or denied the basics of dignity in some outwardly respectable yet ill-named ‘care’ home - and also in those three words, ‘An ageing population.’ By using them so often and in such a throwaway manner, politicians are, in effect, saying to those who haven’t yet become more mature, that older people don’t matter and they are causing the rest of society a problem. The old are a nuisance and we need to find a way of getting rid of them.

Want to know why? And how? Buy and read the book.

Also covered: the NHS, Housing and more about everyday life in the UK. And yes, the EU and Brexit as well.

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Comments of a Common Man Edition 3 - brief extracts