"Benefits Street"

The channel 4 programme benefits street will have delighted the makers with its high ratings (5 million for the 2nd episode) and it impact in newspapers and other media.

Questions have even been asked in Parliament,  sadly ones which say a lot about the poor level of debate in parliament.

Despite the name of the programme - no one is actually able to say how many people on the street get benefits or what those benefits are. A huge number of people get benefits - but strangely we have a weird debate in the country where some people who get benefits - child allowance, state pension, winter fuel allowance seem to think their benefits aren't benefits. 

Tax credits are another benefit. Arguably - lots of tax allowances are benefits. People can get many thousands of pounds in tax breaks.

What is very noticeable is that while there is some anger and some sympathy directed at some of the lead 'charecters' on benefits street, few people seem to want to swap places with them. Which is odd when you think about it - people are being wound up to feel jealous about people who they have no reason to be jealous of.  Would I want to be the alcoholic or the shoplifter who doesn't even try to conceal what he is doing but just grabs stuff and runs out the shop - and has as a consequence spent a long time in prison.  Does anyone think the boredom and drudgery of "a life on benefits" is so marvelous that they  are chucking in their job tomorrow.  I doubt it.  I hear people ranting about people on benefits having big TV screens and tattoos - as if people could have their tattoos removed if they become unemployed or that a second hand TV could be sold for a fortune. 

Winter Olympics

Of all the prejudices, anti-homosexuality makes the least sense to me. It is heartbreaking to see the discrimination practised in Russia, and around the world, including many states in the USA and even the bullying in schools in the UK.  Being Gay or Lesbian harms no one.

Wythenshawe and Sale East By election - Conservatives

The three messages chosenby the Conservatives in the Wythenshawe and Sale East By-election were -  fill potholes, cut street crime and clean the streets more." - utterly bizarre.  I couldn't believe it. It is a sign of a party that has lost it sense of purpose and confidence and message.

Take the EU - the Lib Dems want in, UKIP want out, the Conservatives want a referendum and most of them want to stay in but after a slight renegotiation. Conservative splits are unresolvable - Gay Marriage - the antis can't understand supporters, the supporters can't understand the antis. Climate change, green energy, recycling - was it all a socialist scam, a rebranding tactic, political correctness or a genuine expression of Conservative stewardship of the countryside ? Deficit reduction - if it was so urgent why is it so far behind schedule ?

So it's the bland leading the bland - more bobbies on the beat, fewer potholes and less litter - policies every party in every constituency in every country can sign up to - unless there really is a party promoting higher crime, more litter and dirtier streets.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/how-town-planning-can-make-us-thin-and-healthy-architects-show-that-more-green-space-and-less-housing-density-has-a-clear-effect-on-public-health-9094289.html

RIP Pete Seeger - to write one great song is fantastic to write so many is amazing

YouGov’s weekly poll - good job/bad job ratings for the leaders are minus 15 for Cameron, minus 35 for Miliband, minus 51 for Clegg

Money Money Money

http://www.theguardian.com/money/2014/jan/01/money-corrupted-us-understand-worth