"How long, oh Lord, how long?"

Without being too exact, or even slightly exact, it took about 60 years for communism in power to establish itself, to flourish (in the minds of ninnies, that is) and then to die.  Hower, socialism, particularly social democracy, being milder and thus more beguiling, has proved to be much hardier.  I wonder if recent events which have highlighted the folly, verging on criminality, of governments borrowing and spending on behalf of supposedly grateful electorates will shake enough people out of their ignorance and their torpor?  I noticed yesterdy that even 'Cain' Miliband, as he flourished his 'gesture' of cutting university fees, felt, unlike his big-spending predecessors, the necessity of explaining how he was going to pay for it.  It wasn't very convincing and consequently the idea, obviously dreamt up by his teenage SpAds, has already become as embarrassing as a fart at a Bishop's party.

I may be guilty of wishful thinking, and it is certainly true that you will never go broke under-estimating the intelligence of the Great British Public, but I do believe that evidence of monstrous progligacy by so many different governments, including our own, must have given even people with minimal knowledge of economics the idea that allowing governments to seize or to borrow or to print and spend too much money will end in tears before bedtime; and that blandishments from politicians that they will be "investing" (dread word!) the money for our benefit should be treated by howls of 'show us your willy'!  (Or in the case of Harriet Harperson, cover it up!)  I am encouraged in my slight optimism by that grand, old Leftie, Councillor Bob Piper, who in a post today sniffs into his hankie as with tear-filled eyes he confesses that "The early 80′s proved to be the turning point, and may well be shown to be the last throw of the dice for the Labour left".  One can but commisserate - and hope he's right!

The great battle will be won or lost 'over there' next autumn because there the two distinct philosophies are more clearly drawn.  From Wilson's great shift Leftwards the momentum has been virtually unstoppable until now when the brokers' men are banging on the door demanding their money back.  'Over here' the argument is less clear cut being bedevilled by the complexities of the European Union which 'the cousins', by contrast, were wise enough to sort out once and for all in the 19th century.  As in all things political, in a political democracy, the answer lies with us, 'The People'!  If, instead of cheering (and voting) for political poltroons who promise to 'invest' our money on our behalf, we begin to boo them knowing as we do now (or are about to find out) that it will eventually end in wrack and ruin, then a great lesson will have been learned and, at long last, wimpering and snivelling, the beast that is social democracy will have died the death.  And on its headstone we should engrave the solemn words "Governments can harm your health!"

Well, a man can dream, can't he?

 ADDITIONAL:  Leaked reports of 'Blinky' Balls's speech today indicate that he is going to admit that were Labour in government they would not reverse the coalition 'cuts'.  Apparently polls are telling them that pie in the sky promises to spend, spend, spend, are treated with deep scepticism by the public - especially coming from him.

 

Comments

[A K Haart]

Enjoyable post as usual - and we can all dream.

The lessons have to be learned first by the political classes and they don't have to learn anything because whatever happens the majority of them will live comfortable lives. An age-old problem.

[David Duff]

Yes, AK, but if enough of us teach the political class that there are fewer and fewer votes to be had in profligacy, that might be the best way for them to learn the lesson.