https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/6/16/15810524/senate-ahca-explain-please. If anyone ought to be able to explain the American Healthcare Act, it should be senior Republican senators. Vox asked them what the bill is meant to do. Their responses are wildly varied and totally lacking in detail. An important and frightening story!
http://www.conservativehome.com/highlights/2017/06/outsiders-are-not-always-good-and-governments-are-not-always-bad.html. A book review of the rise of the outsiders, and why being ‘anti-establishment’ is necessarily a good thing. But the increase in populism reveals the failures of the established political class across the developed world, particularly in France. Unfortunately the book is unlikely to have much of an impact, as the people most likely to read it are those mostly likely to already adhere to its message of compromise and thoughtfulness.
https://www.spectator.co.uk/2017/06/the-great-myth-of-the-global-warming-pause/. Probably the best debunking of climate change scepticism I’ve read. Williamson challenges the myth that the recent ‘pause’ in global warming is evidence that climate change isn’t happening.
http://exepose.com/2017/06/15/coral-reefs-the-canary-in-a-coal-mine/. Staying on the subject of the environment, an excellent overview of the decline of coral reefs- why is matters, and what can be done to stop it. Written by a highly intelligent and thoughtful friend of mine.
http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk/2017/06/grenfell-tower-latest-sign-britain-undeveloping-country. This sums up my thoughts on the Grenfell Tower tragedy succinctlyy. Rampen also contextualises the fire in a country which seems increasingly undeveloped. The declining quality of infrastructure and public services, the government’s neglect of people’s concerns, and the exploitation of low-paid and migrant labour- are all signs of a society far less civilised than it pretends to be. Like Rampen, I don’t believe the UK is a developing country, but I accept her overall point that our wealth makes events like the Grenfell Tower inexcusable.
We have arrived at a moment when, for what used to be the ruling clas, money is the only thing that matters. This used to be tempered by a tradition of public service, of re- paying a privileged, comfortable lifestyle with an effort to improve the lives of ordinary citizens. The modern attitude is typified by the Mayor of Kensington and Chelsea, who, as far as I can find out, hasn’t even appeared to view the burnt out tower block in the borough for which he is responsible, let alone talked to anyone affected, He knows that his “base” will continue to vote for him, and they are in a majority. This is not just a local scandal; it has become a national pathology. Country I used to know and respect “rest in peace” – you are dead and gone. Only the rich need to be catered to, and if they are crooks, hiding away their ill- gotten gains, so be it. Who cares? Tell me I’m wrong, someone, please!
On behalf of Robert, who commented but it didn’t appear on Disqus:
We have arrived at a moment when, for what used to be the ruling class, money is the only thing that matters. This used to be tempered by a tradition of public service, of re- paying a privileged, comfortable lifestyle with an effort to improve the lives of ordinary citizens. The modern attitude is typified by the Mayor of Kensington and Chelsea, who, as far as I can find out, hasn’t even appeared to view the burnt out tower block in the borough for which he is responsible, let alone talked to anyone affected, He knows that his “base” will continue to vote for him, and they are in a majority. This is not just a local scandal; it has become a national pathology. The country I used to know and respect “rest in peace” – you are dead and gone. Only the rich need to be catered to, and if they are crooks, hiding away their ill- gotten gains, so be it. Who cares? Tell me I’m wrong, someone, please!
Yes, the disparity between rich and poor has grown; plus the fact that those with vastly differing income streams live in worlds apart, is far more apparent today. This is even more so when the two communities live in close proximity as in Kensington and Chelsea. It sounds as though you are making a plea for the return to the “patrician state” of the 1950’s and sixties. Unfortunately Mrs. Thatcher’s mantra of standing on your own feet, led to a rise of selfishness, with few caring for others. That doctrine is still in place. It has not been overturned, and with it the temptation to take (euphemistically) “short cuts” .
So we think you are not wrong, but optimistically hope that you are overstating the case . But then the sleepy West Country was always and ever fifty years behind and we do not see the extremes of poverty living cheek by jowl as you do. Martin and Jane Dean