When you live in the country, as I do, the World can seem a very different place. Yesterday I was in the city with my grand daughter Georgia. I returned full of hell and this is why:
- Businesses Gone - Shops and restaurants closed, businesses that have been in that city for years no longer there.
- Shops - Well the ones that are left, full to the gunnels with stuff that is just not moving.
- Roads - Full of potholes that are just not being repaired.
- Houses For Sale - Lots of them. What's the point when people just can't get a mortgage?
- Apathy - The radio played in the car with news items just full of unimportant crap.
- What Put The Tin Hat On It - All the above left me feeling depressed but not half as depressed as when I was returning home and I put Radio 4 on and heard Barack Obama rallying the nation and giving them hope. Our politicians are silent most of the time, no rallying cries from them.
- The Final Straw - On my return home BBC news was playing on the TV and a BBC reporter revealed that the boss of RBS, a bank that has just made the biggest loss in history has been awarded a £650,000 a year pension and he is only 50. A government spokesman said he was not happy about it but had no answers, well hello, you were the ones that deregulated the banks, of course you have no answers.
People have had their houses repossessed, lost their jobs and their dignity and need a plan and some confidence boosting. Hello, is there anybody out there!
15 comments:
I couldn't agree more.
Hello Di....yep there's loads of us out here going what on earths going on! I'm just glad there are lovely places like your blog where I can go for a bit of eye comfort. All we can do is our little bit and pray for a ruddy miracle! I live in Northumberland as well and had the same experience on my last visit to Newcastle. Yikes!
Bravo, Bravo - Have you ever thought of standing for parliament Di, xv.
I agree. I would vote for you! It's so true. All the fat cats getting bailed out here in the US and then hopping on their private jets for a little r&r in vegas--disgusting...
Not only do you inspire me creatively but also intellectually.
Thanks for caring as much as you do.
one of your biggest Fans in The U.S.
I'm in Washington, D.C. and follow your wonderful blog. We are all in this mess together aren't we?
I'll second Vicki's Bravo. Your post is a reminder that this entire planet is a House of Cards. I,too, live in the country and have come to recognize that I hate leaving my little home/world. I see what you described everywhere. Even though I've spent most of my life shopping Bergdorf's and Harvey Nichols - I now do the occasional visit to a resale shop. Went by a local favorite last week .. .. . even they had closed!
We do live in interesting times .. . Judith
well said, di. we are all indeed in it together. maybe it's that sense of unity that is the silver lining. it is one thing to see economic disaster on tv, another to see and experience it in real life. here's to hope, unity and prosperity in the coming year...
Same shit here in Sweden, can't stand the news anymore, not good for my health. And above all these people think they're entitled to all the bonuses/pensions! Bläh!!!Christina
You make me want to move to the country.
I agree, I'd vote for you Di!
I agree, I'd vote for you Di!
We had similar feelings in Canada - government slow to respond. However, I live in the middle of Canada. We used to complain that our officials were too cautious, but now we are glad they have been in the past. Our banks seem to be sound and we are actually benefiting from all of the price decreases. Even the cars are selling here!!!The exchange rate goes up and down, but we are really used to that. It is depressing watching CNN and wondering if they are overstating things? I plan to print your comments and send to my Mom who years ago wanted to take residence in England after living there temporarily. Keep it up, enjoy your blog.
You're so right, Di. I watch BBC everyday and wonder what is Gordon Brown, Alastair Darling et al thinking? Because they appear to have no ideas or solutions (of course we know Mr Brown's role in creating the atmosphere that led to his miss). Very distressing.
It's a very sad state of affairs. I recently did a really big move from South Africa to a North Yorkshire village, and while it's a great place to bring up kids, I hate travelling into York every day and seeing the slew of new houses for sale, the depressed people at work, etc.
The scariest part of it all is that most people seem to think that the government will always be able to bail us out. If we were banks, maybe, but the rest of us will no doubt have to fend for ourselves.
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