 Posted by Simon Icke on 15th November 2010 at 06:53 PM Work & Pension's Minister Iain Duncan Smith is going too far...
It's jobs for ordinary people that are needed in their millions, not threats and cheap uncompassionate comments towards people who are already struggling. How easy it is to kick people who are already on the floor and blame the poor, the unemployed and the chronically sick for all the ills of our economy. Have you forgotten who got the country into this mess in the first place? It was the millionaire bankers, wealthy stock brokers and reckless speculators who lost billions on world markets taking unecessary risks with other peoples money including the pension funds of working people and their deposited bank saving funds; but as always it is the working class people who will pay the price and be hit the hardest; whilst the rich continue to live in comfort, still creaming millions of pounds off the top; in unearned bonuses and free shares; not to mention their £ millions parked safely in their 'dodgy tax havens', like the Cayman Islands. As always the rich get richer and the poor get porer but now it seems the poor will also take the blame for all that is wrong with our nation... if you were to believe the new 'religious sounding preaching' of IDS.
Perhaps Iain Duncan Smith now sees himself as some kind of Holy saviour (God's disciple) for the nation and he has been specially chosen is to rid the country of 'sinners' like the unemployed, the chronically sick, the disabled, the poor and the mentally ill etc. It is scary stuff which can be likened to some kind of fascist cleansing as we saw in Nazi Germany, making scapegoats of certain sections of society for all the ills of the nation, whipping up anger and hatred towards such people; convincing the masses that there is no other alternative and it is the righteous thing to do, to save the nation and deliver it from 'evil'; these sub-human groups who deserve everything they get.
I wonder what Mother Teresa or Jesus would have made of this 'twisted kind of self righteous and judgmental 'religious' thinking towards the poor and the down-trodden?...this coalition government is looking as if it is going to be even more callous than the Thatcher Government... God help us and forgive us for what this government is about to do to those in our society who are already suffering; is this what we have become?... to judge our fellow man or woman so harshly and kick them whilst they are already on the floor...and what does it say for the Liberal democrats who are going along with this 'fascist or twisted religious' thinking?
Simon previously wrote on the same subject:
Nor is it fair for right wing politicians to make cheap political gain by appealing to the base instincts of the right wing press and their readers, who are looking for scapegoats for the failure of the UK economy, or to the self-interest of the privileged classes.
It is shameful in a so called civilised society that there are so many acting like a baying mob; who are trying to make pariahs out of the poor, the unemployed, the weak, the disabled and the chronically sick; in the middle of a recession; telling them they must find any kind of work; (no matter how low paid or unsuitable or the fact that current statistics show that more than 35 unemployed apply for every job posted in any UK job centre... sometimes it is hundreds) or face starvation or freezing to death on the streets of Britain...
This when so many cannot work even though they would like to...that's if there were the kind of jobs for ordinary people (jobs vacancies without the need for higher academic qualifications or professional or specialist skills) which there are not. This is the reality that the Archbishop of Canterbury speaks of; this is the real world, not the idealistic unreal world of right wing politicians like Norman Tebbit and Iain Duncan Smith and their ilk. What happened to the compassionate Conservative party that was promised at the General Election only a few months ago...not to mention the Liberal Democrats who are supposed to stand for fairness, equality and social justice!
by Simon Icke
Comment by Guest 25th November 2010
Wow - I bet you slay them in the pub quiz. =) |
Comment by Guest 25th November 2010
Actually Voltaire never uttered that immortal quote, it was written by Evelyn Beatrice Hall in 1906 to sum up Voltaire's attitude. |
Comment by Guest 25th November 2010
correction above... next to last last line.. should read; 'ten years of blogging on Cif' not 'bogging' LOL...well that should give my critics something to laugh at least! Thanks for all the comments... it has been very interesting to receive feedback from Salford folk. We must do this again sometime...Kind Regards Simon
PS I will leave the last word to French writer: Voltaire quote ' I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"... long live democracy and free speech! |
Comment by Guest 25th November 2010
Thank you for your comments Editor they are very much appreciated...can I make a suggestion that would stop unreasonable/off topic comments or even personal abuse/attacks that had nothing to do with the article I wrote; even though my article was topical and of broad interest; as an experienced blog writer and blogger; I expect disagreement and robust debate but I would also hope it is made in a constructive and reasonably polite manner, which I haven't experienced from one or two 'Guest' bloggers on this issue,on here; probably because they disagreed with contraversial points I made, so they attempted to undermine me as much as possible, in a very personal manner, which is a very childish and well known tactic as highlighted in the comments by other bloggers. Perhaps you might consider that all people wishing to comment have to register their real name and Email contact details and have to log in via a password; even if they elect to write under a pseudonym, at least then, people could not get away with being abusive in such a 'cowardly' way, hiding behind the 'Guest' anonyimity as allowed on this blog. By the way I think your website is excellent and thank you for giving me the opportuinity to share my writing in the area I was born and grew up. I think the forum you have created is excellent. ( Oh and don't worry about me after ten years of bogging on Cif (comment is free) on The Guardian and many other poilitical blogs it has made me thick skinned enough to take the 'flack'...it goes with the turf! |
Comment by Editor ( member ) 25th November 2010
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Comment by Guest 25th November 2010
I can see that you don't understand. I was of course referring to the infantile level to which the discussion had dropped. The reference to man and wife was my obviously unsuccessful attempt to introduce a hint of humour into what was becoming very boring. |
Comment by Guest 24th November 2010
I don't understand that. Are you saying those are the types of things discussed in a playground? What type of school? Then to go from that to "man and wife" is mixing the metaphor isn't it? |
Comment by Guest 24th November 2010
This squabbling takes me back to my kids playground days. You've covered everything from spelling mistakes, punctuation, typo's, the quality of poetry, counting syllables in Haiku's, the Cayman islands, party politics... etc, etc... are you sure you two aren't man and wife? |
Comment by Guest 23rd November 2010
'the floodgates are open my 'friends' then for any would be ranter'...which 'friends' were you referring to? as it sounds like you are speaking just for yourself to yourself; it seems like you have no friends, sorry. |
Comment by Guest 23rd November 2010
so if you are not a right wing Tory you are a ranter in the Ad hominems abusers (peronal attackers) way of warped thinking....reminds me of a spoilt child; if you don't let me win, I'm taking my ball home and no one will play and going to tell my mummy of you all! ROFL |
Comment by Guest 23rd November 2010
so you don't believe in democracy then or free speech; you just wanted to be a control freak and only allow those to write who agreed with you; that figures from all your previous snide comments. |
Comment by Guest 23rd November 2010
And that one's a non sequitur. If you're the same guy doing ad hominem attacks, are you planning on doing a variety of fallacious arguments? |
Comment by Guest 23rd November 2010
I told you what would happen when people like Mr Icke get given a tad of artistic licence, the floodgates are open my friends for any would be ranter. |
Comment by Guest 23rd November 2010
Can't say I empathise with the coalition government but I don't recall the Tories promising compassion as quoted in the article?
I do recall all parties promising hard times ahead and cutbacks in public spending.
I also think it unfair to label the Cayman Islands as 'dodgy', all three islands are very beautiful locations that just happen to house offshore banking companies. It was the UK government that encouraged our smaller dependancies to embrace the opportunities of becoming so called tax havens in the first place.
For Simon's article to have balance it would be better to be less sensationalist and give some mention to the last Labour government having gotten us into this mess Stanley.... |
Comment by Guest 23rd November 2010
As per Wikipedia:
Quote 'Ad hominem abuse'
Ad hominem abuse (also called personal abuse or personal attacks) usually involves insulting or belittling one's opponent in order to invalidate his or her argument, but can also involve pointing out factual but ostensible character flaws or actions which are irrelevant to the opponent's argument. This tactic is logically fallacious because insults and even true negative facts about the opponent's personal character have nothing to do with the logical merits of the opponent's arguments or assertions. |
Comment by Guest 23rd November 2010
It's called an ad hominem attack. |
Comment by Guest 23rd November 2010
It's a well known fact that those who do not know how to debate or don't like someone saying something they don't like,they resort to the, 'lowest of the low tactics' by trying to personally attack the individual to attempt to undermine them; in the hope it will also undermine their points that have obviously hit home. So these childish tactics show just how imature these people are who hide behind their anonymity and try and undermine the writer of this article Simon Icke, in such a cheap and pathetic manner; just because he has dared to speak the truth; supporting the millions of unemployed; at least he has the guts to put his name to his very honest and well written article. |
Comment by Guest 23rd November 2010
That's a tremendous counter-argument. Have you considered joining a debating team? |
Comment by Guest 23rd November 2010
Sounds like he's definately related to David Icke to me!!! |
Comment by Guest 22nd November 2010
That definitely doesn't make 17 syllables. |
Comment by Guest 22nd November 2010
Add them up it makes sense. |
Comment by Guest 22nd November 2010
Uhm... A haiku's supposed to have five syllables, then seven syllables, then five syllables or can't you count either? |
Comment by Guest 22nd November 2010
Simon Icke can not write, his verse is terse and so his is logic,tragic...a Haiku, and I thank you, goodnight. |
Comment by Guest 22nd November 2010
by the way, there are two F's in offend. lol. j/k. |
Comment by Guest 22nd November 2010
Cayman Islands of course thank you for picking up every tiny 'typo', but having nothing positive to say as usual...if you really want to know why I make the odd mistake when I am writing, it's because my short term memory isn't as good as it was, as I suffer from a serious diabetic complication and have to take about 14 tablets a day to numb the nerve pain in both my legs and arms; the medication is quite effective in numbing my pain but it also does the same to my brain, so my short term memory is no longer the same! I could stay in my bed until I'm dead but no I'd rather write on here instead; doing my best to entertain, hoping to share the words that are still left in my heart before I finally depart; and at the very least giving the opportunity for the few to criticise my work, but it's also my hope that on the whole there will be some who like what I write and ignore the odd typo; as they are smart enough to work out what was intended and they also have some good manners not to 'nit pick' or try to ofend with their 'anon messages' they love to send. Instead I hope a few will like what I write and consider the message in the poem or article as a whole and not look for tiny holes; which to me and others looks quite sad, doing your best to make out everying I write is bad. Perhaps one day you will write an article or a poem on here rather than acting as everyone's English grammar teacher, saying look at this! A typo here and a typo there you can't write like that... to me its just not fair, it makes me tear out my hair.. It even makes me go into a 'strop' and I will do my utmost to make you stop!
Written as a tribute to our guest English teacher, who loves to cirticise other people's work. |
Comment by Guest 16th November 2010
Cayman islands,doesn't your computer underline spelling mistakes or typos. |
Comment by Guest 16th November 2010
oh no another one...I have found 'read' ink not 'red' ink...that's three at least now...I best go and stand outside the headmasters door for four of the best...do you remember when we were caned for next to nothing?....I went to Bridgewater CP School, Little Hulton..I remember I was caned twice on each hand very hard at only seven years old, just for asking the hymn number in morning assembly; I couldn't hold my pen for the rest of the day, my hands were hurting that much that I couldn't bend my fingers. Some of the teachers were very cruel in those days; even sadistic from my experience. |
Comment by Guest 16th November 2010
oh dear there I go again this time I have spelt message with three sss...I must oil the 's' key it keeps getting stuck!
Cheers folks and thanks for your interest...your comments made me smile. Simon |
Comment by Guest 16th November 2010
...don't you just love the perfectionist who completely ignores the content or the message or the political debate or issue I have raised...no they are only interested in one typo...God forbid in my excitment and passion of writing this article I missed an 'o' out of poorer, even though they obviously know I can spell poor with two os as it it written the word but one before! Maybe this guy is a proof-reader and it makes his/her day when he finds a typo! Imagine him/her as a professor in one of the country's top universities he would have a great time with todays's students taking higher degrees...there would be read ink all over the pages; look I found a typo!!...and another!....and another...oh and you missed a comma, a full stop and you even used an exclamation mark when you shouldn't have! LOL... anyway for the rest of you I am greatful for your feedback and your kind words and interesting comments. If you enjoy politics/debating or current affairs I suggest you try The Telegraph/The Guardian (Cif)and The Independent for the best debating and comment blogs. But be warned some of those clever academics make loads of typos/spelling mistakes and grammatical errors but no one seems to care less, they are more interested in the messsage; but I'm not an academic I am a working class Little Hulton lad who left school with three O'levels at 16 and got my first job as a junior clerk in the Treasurer's Dept at Manchester Town Hall. I spent most of my first two years making the tea for the clerks and administrators. So I don't think I will lose sleep because one perfectionist found a typo!!! I mean sacre bleu!...why not stop hiding behind your anonymity as a guest, register in your real name as I have dared to do and write something for people to read and than wait for someone to completly ignore the content but find one comma missing or one letter and try and make a big issue about nothing...how sad. |
Comment by Guest 15th November 2010
polemic without solution, exactly that which the 'right' always accuse the 'left' of. some ideas might be better, I would suggest a taxation system without loopholes, For most of my working life I, like most of the population, have had my share of taxes deducted either before I got my wages ( income tax & national insurance) or with no choice afterwards, (V.A.T. road tax etc.) , however a small and wealthy section of the population are offered the choice of paying a small proportion or nowt . BOB |
Comment by Guest 15th November 2010
To quote Simon's first sentence: "It's jobs for ordinary people that are needed in their millions" !!!!! And THAT's the ONLY way to reduce the number of unemployed people 'scrounging(?)' off the state. The current lack of job vacancies is a far, far bigger problem than the amount of money being paid out in benefits to the unemployed. IDS has got his priorities the wrong way round - the money he's spending on clawing back benefits would be far better spent on encouraging investment in industry expansion and thus creating a demand for a bigger workforce, i.e. more job vacancies and more people taken off benefits! |
Comment by Guest 15th November 2010
Wow, you're observant - lol - but it's obviously only a typo and he doesn't really think it's spelt like that. |
Comment by Guest 15th November 2010
Poor get porer for one.... |
Comment by Guest 15th November 2010
What did he misspell? I didn't spot any typos. |
Comment by Guest 15th November 2010
I'd have thought David Cameron would have been more compassionate towards disabled people being as he had a disabled son but no... I really like your articles Simon, a lot better than your poetry although I'm probably not the best person to judge poetry because it's really not my thing. |
Comment by Guest 15th November 2010
Purleeze!, this Simon Icke bloke is taking over the pages of SalfordOnline, is he related to David?, his poetry is bad enough without his political rhetoric, which is not helped by the fact that he seems unable to spell. |
Comment by Guest 15th November 2010
well said |
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