2011 UK, Scottish and Welsh Elections
May 5th, 2011 will see parliamentary elections in Scotland and Wales, and a UK referendum on the Alternative Vote (AV). As a non party political member, I felt it would be helpful to provide a light hearted look at the words and phrases, used by all politicians of all parties, and a guide to what they really mean! Here are a few. You will have your own, which you are welcome to add.....
'Clearly'. ...as clear as mud but I will dress it up in jargon so that you have no excuse but to know what I think I mean, but am not really sure about.
'I have always been clear about this'. ...still clear as mud, but the politician will now make you feel (without actually saying so) a numpty for not seeing it in the first place. Don't feel bad. The thing being clarified will still not be clear, as this word can be replaced by another simpler word, 'waffle'!
'What I hear on the doorstep is..'.... This is a great way to turn a bad conversation or question around to their way of thinking. Of course doorsteps don't have names, and so the claims cannot be verified. I think a milkman will hear more on the doorstep, than any politician.
'Clearly'. ...as clear as mud but I will dress it up in jargon so that you have no excuse but to know what I think I mean, but am not really sure about.
'I have always been clear about this'. ...still clear as mud, but the politician will now make you feel (without actually saying so) a numpty for not seeing it in the first place. Don't feel bad. The thing being clarified will still not be clear, as this word can be replaced by another simpler word, 'waffle'!
'What I hear on the doorstep is..'.... This is a great way to turn a bad conversation or question around to their way of thinking. Of course doorsteps don't have names, and so the claims cannot be verified. I think a milkman will hear more on the doorstep, than any politician.
'We have to ensure'... A great way to make you think they will do something about the problem being discussed. It's a great and vague way of seeming to address something important, but not actually having any solution. In other words, they know as much as you. Actually, you will know more than them, but they will find this hard to accept.
'I have always said'... Probably said to the dog while out walking, or in the shower where no one else listens, or to the yes-men and yes-women who surround them and bask in the glow of their presence.
'I am calling for'... Sounds like a yodel from an Austrian mountain. All politicians will call for something in their career, but we all know (they don't) it's who will listen that's important, and even more important again, who will do something about it! Anyone can 'call' but it takes someone special to 'do', and they are few and far between in the ranks of the Scottish Parliament, or even any government body... including the Westminster Government.
'We will set up a committee'... A good way to put off making any decisions right now, while making it look like the obvious solution (which will be hard to implement) might not be the right one.
'Let's be careful not to offend'... Wow, this is one of the best ones. They will hide behind the PC excuse, which allows the minority groups to take over while the majority view is ignored. What is democracy, if not the wishes of the majority(duh?)... except when we might offend someone, or a minority group. Now run over in your mind the types of people or groups who get most protection from this? Certainly not the mainstream voting majority.
'We will make the difficult decisions'... No they won't! These decisions are difficult, and therefore political suicide. So there is talk about decisions being difficult, but little or no action. Difficult solutions are needed for difficult decisions, so difficult decisions will be made to choose which difficult decisions will be made! (Hope you were able to follow :). That is why there is little or no action taken of real importance.
'Manifesto promise'... This is different from all other promises. When other mortals make a promise, their word is their bond and can be counted on. Not so for the politician. As long as it is written in a manifesto document, it is open to being broken at will, because you can count on them saying 'but the situation has changed since the intention (it's not a promise at this point) was made'.
'I have always said'... Probably said to the dog while out walking, or in the shower where no one else listens, or to the yes-men and yes-women who surround them and bask in the glow of their presence.
'I am calling for'... Sounds like a yodel from an Austrian mountain. All politicians will call for something in their career, but we all know (they don't) it's who will listen that's important, and even more important again, who will do something about it! Anyone can 'call' but it takes someone special to 'do', and they are few and far between in the ranks of the Scottish Parliament, or even any government body... including the Westminster Government.
'We will set up a committee'... A good way to put off making any decisions right now, while making it look like the obvious solution (which will be hard to implement) might not be the right one.
'Let's be careful not to offend'... Wow, this is one of the best ones. They will hide behind the PC excuse, which allows the minority groups to take over while the majority view is ignored. What is democracy, if not the wishes of the majority(duh?)... except when we might offend someone, or a minority group. Now run over in your mind the types of people or groups who get most protection from this? Certainly not the mainstream voting majority.
'We will make the difficult decisions'... No they won't! These decisions are difficult, and therefore political suicide. So there is talk about decisions being difficult, but little or no action. Difficult solutions are needed for difficult decisions, so difficult decisions will be made to choose which difficult decisions will be made! (Hope you were able to follow :). That is why there is little or no action taken of real importance.
'Manifesto promise'... This is different from all other promises. When other mortals make a promise, their word is their bond and can be counted on. Not so for the politician. As long as it is written in a manifesto document, it is open to being broken at will, because you can count on them saying 'but the situation has changed since the intention (it's not a promise at this point) was made'.
'No, what I said/meant was'... At this point you know you have them on the ropes. You have reminded them of their words during an unguarded moment, and it is a sinful pleasure to watch them squirm as they try to wheedle their way out of it.
'I've done nothing wrong'... Literally means, I am as guilty as sin!
'I've done nothing wrong'... Literally means, I am as guilty as sin!
So what method can we use to help us decide which person or party to vote for? How about things like....
Not arrogant
Not ashamed of their roots or Christian faith
Stays faithful to their spouse and family
Honest with expenses and allowances
Not arrogant
Not ashamed of their roots or Christian faith
Stays faithful to their spouse and family
Honest with expenses and allowances
Has a good track record of moral and ethical integrity.
Another look at this list tells you that there is not a party political element to it. There is, however, something about honesty and integrity which should be the bedrock of anyone serving in public office. Let's go for a choice along those lines, then whoever it may be, male or female, from whatever party, we are best placed to get a good return on our vote. So go out there and make your mark on the ballot paper, and make a difference, while thanking God for this freedom!
Another look at this list tells you that there is not a party political element to it. There is, however, something about honesty and integrity which should be the bedrock of anyone serving in public office. Let's go for a choice along those lines, then whoever it may be, male or female, from whatever party, we are best placed to get a good return on our vote. So go out there and make your mark on the ballot paper, and make a difference, while thanking God for this freedom!
