Official title is a GLOBAL CREDIT CRUNCH, with developed countries around the world seeing their economies shrinking by alarming proportions. At times like this, Government Ministers are telling us how it affects ‘everyone’ with well-heeled politicians aligning themselves to citizens they are supposed to represent and manage the country on behalf of. Here in UK families, individuals and pensioners alike are having their worlds torn apart by ravages of a downturn that has hit them with the force of a whirlwind. Big problem is those charged with managing a situation that has developed during their term of office are financially secure courtesy of taxpayers.

Bank Executives have been pinpointed along with the City Bonus culture, and grilling of ‘culprits’ has started. The underlying problem can be described in a word of one syllable – GREED. This is an element of life that has no scruples, knows no limits and takes no prisoners.

Noticeable how MP’s have tried to jump on the blame bandwagon without admitting their own shortcomings! Government stance is merely a ploy to try and divert attention away from its own ‘errors of judgement’ and that is a major problem. They have failed to see or want to recognise their own mistakes, think they are infallible, and will continue to compound problems at our expense. We, not they, will have to pay a hefty price for spin, propaganda, dogmatic pigheadedness and a feathering-their-own nest attitude.

In fact we have long seen the obscenity of massive profits and boardroom extravagance reported by newspapers and media. A lot of outrage has frequently been expressed, but the practise continues to flourish unabated; snouts buried in the trough have been blinded by one thing – their own financial satisfaction and security. Too many in authority have become enamoured with the ease that profits could be made, always looking to increase gains year-on-year. Utility company profiteering from essential commodities has reached evil proportions, with politicians lacking ideas and, more importantly, desire to do anything about it. When you hear Government Ministers saying that they are talking to the Utility Suppliers about reducing prices, it identifies them as no more than highly paid, expensive ‘campaigners’. Control has been lost to the point where they can only request change in attitude, instead of legislating to make things happen. Much of this is down to privatisation backed by foreign investment, where the players can so easily dictate policy or pull the plug, and consequently our elected representatives lack power to do anything but pay lip service to major anomalies that affect real people.

In recent times one Government Minister said that too many MPs were looking to make a career out of politics instead of representing constituents. Thereby hangs the real problem because we have seen how easy it is for them to get their hands on taxpayers’ money for salary increases, outrageous levels expenses, and gold-plated pensions. These individuals have created/supported policies that are taxing and restrictive for everybody else. Easily obtained wealth courtesy of the taxpayer has diluted their appetite for fair distribution and left them depending on spin to try and camouflage their own greed. Ultimately Government ignored developing signs that have led this country into today’s unholy mess.

At this stage it is worth deliberating the value of politicians managing our affairs with virtually both hands tied behind their backs. So much of our policy now has to be devised within the framework of European Legislation, and Government is tied to the apron strings of faceless bureaucrats to whom they have abdicated responsibility. A lot of blood was shed to retain freedom, only for ‘sharks’ to emerge seeking rich pickings that has totally undermined the efforts of anything achieved with enormous loss of life and devastation during war periods. So much for the Common Market – it was just a big con that lured us into an ever-increasing expensive monster with sinister undertones.

The whole fabric of UK society is being eroded before our eyes and dangerous divisions are developing – a benefit culture is thriving, supporting a ‘state will look after us’ mindset that is continuing to drain taxpayer resources. Asylum Seekers are queuing to get into a country that sits off the coast of Europe resembling a dustbin waiting to be scavenged.

A favourite commercial saying over the years has referred to Supply and Demand, coupled with private enterprise and desire for choice. Ultimately, we have seen specialist companies and suppliers merged and devoured by faceless conglomerate executives, all looking for quick financial gain to build up levels of personal wealth beyond the dreams of those who provide it for them. Banking in the high street is not on their agenda – offshore Tax Havens enable them to satisfy their greedy lifestyles and deprive this country of revenue – paying their fair share is not an option.

Greed blinds the thinking of those having or seeking riches using the gullibility factor. Tendency is for many of them to hold positions of authority and make decisions affecting our lifestyles without having to experience the burdens they place on us. This is where citizens have to rely on the Government to manage on their behalf. Big problem is that Labour, having held office for nearly 12 years, has failed to control extravagance, preferring to let it run a free course, and that is why UK is in such a mess. They have defended the corporate avenues that will be their escape after life in Westminster.

Mr Brown said no more boom and bust – well he was half correct – WE ARE BUST. He bought the good years by selling off Gold Reserves cheaply, raiding Pension Funds and creating a Credit Craze Culture. Access to money via loans and plastic cards has been simple irrespective of status and ability to repay, with an incessant financial supply to buy services and consumer goods irrespective of requirement. Remember the advert that said “Want a car, can’t get finance, been turned down by other companies – come to us, we will get you on the road”. Implication was that one could be bankrupt, destitute, take the kitchen sink as a deposit and get a vehicle with ease.

Wonderful how Government can suddenly throw our money around, begging the question “where has it come from” – could it be reserves in offshore funds or newly printed? Either way, it has never been available for Pensioners asking for a decent level of State Pension, but then we only worked for a living

People in this country have become accustomed to having a surfeit of material things that just stand around dormant for long periods of time. Televisions in virtually every room, desktop computers, laptops and a multiple number of cars are examples of common features. TV programmes are broadcast 24 hours a day on multiple channels, with endless repeats, and the ‘couch-potato’ syndrome is there to be developed with little time to do anything else even if one is so inclined.

Bottom line is that insatiable appetites for things easily available through VISA and other financial channels have finally stifled supply because the money-go-round system has faltered badly against a background of bad debt through uncontrolled lending. A side effect has been development of a country awash with alcohol, much of it cheap via supermarkets, discount stores and even petrol stations (what a wonderful advert the latter is for don’t drink and drive). This is where money in the pocket has been available to purchase at will and create the ‘booze culture’ image that now blights our society. Long gone are the days when we had to save either to buy outright or build up a substantial deposit for major purchases on credit.

How many times has it been reported that Executives have left their posts with golden handshakes, often having failed, but with contracts designed to protect them against virtually all eventualities. Recent revelations about Senior Management at Banks, the bonus culture and massive pension pots have stirred up great levels of anger beyond which it appears little can be done except accept the situation. Taxpayers have been committed to huge amounts to save failed institutions, and the Directors who allowed the situation to develop are laughing their socks off. We are the mugs, unable to do anything about the situation except get uptight, grin and bear it, then be prepared to suffer the consequences later.

Mr Brown, during one of his muttering sessions, said that this country would be better placed than many to withstand pressures from an economic downturn. Occupying a position with free board and lodgings, high salary and expenses, gold-plated pension fund and possibly a corporate position lined up when he is thrown out, obviously impacted heavily and blurred his thinking.

For a number of years I have made comments to my wife about the multiplicity of trading establishments, all with shelves full of similar items. The amount of capital tied up had got to be enormous, and so much appeared to stand on endless display. January sales have become an annual highlight of the past, with endless reduction events and supporting gimmicks virtually every week, obviously trying to generate cash flow, now being the norm.

Car Sales forecourts, continually overloaded with vehicles standing for long periods of time, are another example. Producers/Importers have filled fields with cars that could not be moved on because of over-production. It has been amazing to see large numbers of expensive Mobile Homes for sale, making me wonder how the businesses survive with a turnover that gives an impression of being dormant.

How many times have you walked into a store with few or no customers? I have watched out-of-date stock being removed from shelves and read about food being thrown into skips for disposal.

Many of Labour’s ‘CREATED JOBS’ can now be seen as a burden on The State, overloading bureaucratic administration with people not gainfully engaged in jobs providing new money.

Boardroom culture for greed has thrived. Generating reasonable levels of profit has been replaced with an insatiable desire for more year-on-year; making a reduced level of profit has become a sign of failure, and the temperamental Money Market is not slow to react. It is accepted that businesses exist to make profits, but profiteering has emerged as the ugly side of commerce, and there is a great difference between these aspects of commerce.

An incessant flow of advertising material, offering easy-to-obtain credit, has fallen onto the doormat and out of newspapers/periodicals. Time without number I have been offered a Store Credit Card when paying for goods.

NO. I remain convinced Government are only now considering restrictive policies for bad debt because the situation has left them with no other choice. They can no longer turn a blind eye, but any action will be moderate at best. They have sat back and watched the situation develop, having been too engrossed in their own self-importance and financial security. As a result the majority of citizens are encapsulated in an almighty mess, with an ever-increasing financial burden developing for both taxpayers of today and tomorrow. That said, I have an uneasy feeling that Messrs. Brown and company are waiting for the dust to settle so that they can try and revert back to the status quo. Watch out for the sweeteners designed to impact on gullibility and buy votes.

This country is in a mess because bad politics that has failed to make proper provision that would dilute an economic downturn. Brown’s assertion that we would be best placed to ride out a crisis is now being derided by forecasts that UK is likely to come out of recession last, and it could be a long time coming. Wisdom of Mr Prudence has been shown to be sadly lacking.

The situation begs the question “What are citizens prepared to do other than just sit back and moan about it”?

Prepared March 2009 - added to site 20 April 2009.