Thomas Burgess - From Here to Prosperity

But if the government is not working, would the opposition fare any better? In Britain the opposition Labour Party seems to have lost direction and lack a consistent, cohesive message, resulting in it loosing the 2015 general election. Then with massive popular support far left-leaning outsider Jeremy Corbyn was elected leader but with many dissenting Members of Parliament. Despite his radical views and his determination to bring change, it appears his management and communications skills leave a bit to be desired. He has however done a massive service to the nation by bringing the belief that change is possible, business as usual needs to end. It now needs a bold visionary leader to pick up on this strength of feeling in the electorate and turn it into reality for the betterment of all.

And in thanks for their contribution for government the Lib Dems were reduced to not much more than a handful in the House of Commons in the 2015 General Election, with very little clout to achieve anything, for the time being at least. Similarly the Green Party and the UK Independence party did also not make much ground.

And even the lawmakers believe that the government isn’t working. John Dingell is the longest-serving congressman in US history with over 60 years in office. In February 2014 he announced his retirement. He said the institution he once revered was riven by acrimony and marked by lack of productivity. He had grown frustrated with the law-making process; he had run out of patience with Washington’s divided, confrontational politics. Aside from partisan animosity, Dingell despaired of the cor rupting influence of money and the increasing cost of running for election. He recalled when Democrats and Republicans actually worked together, now they were against this or against that and he did not hear what we are for or what they would be willing to compromise on. Dingell said he always sought compromise during a career working ‘with – not under, and not for – 11 presidents, from Eisenhower to Obama’, adding that this is not a Congress that is working, but it could be and should be. ‘The problem comes when disagreement is expressed through venomous name-calling, mindless vitriol, and ad hominem attack,’ says the American political economist and commentator Robert Reich.

Hatefulness too often blinds us to what we hold in common; it makes it impossible for us to listen to opposing views; and it serves as cover for the powerful and privileged who would rather divide us than have us join together for the common good.

The best ideas come from listening and talking. Those with a lifetime of experience can understand how things have changed for the worse, though.

The facts are staring us in the face, yet governments still fail to act decisively. It is not just bad, it is getting worse, inequality is becoming more extreme, poverty destroys lives, economic progress is still ‘fragile’ and so many are disengaged from democracy that the plutocrats retain control in their own interests. So we know the problem: what do we do? It is time for a radical rethink.

Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.