Tedx wrote:Of course, the fact remains that we are the least automated of all the developed nations by a mile.
Think of the potential!. All we need is a government not stuffed with crinkly old self preserving rich people.
Hi Ted,
Hope you're well and have to fit 25hrs in to today
Can I interrogate you please, noting I won't employ the electric chair just yet
. Too costly
1. Are you suggesting proportional representation? (Hint - answer is yes
)
2. Are you suggesting that some don't respect the needs and wishes of young people, whom I hasten to add are going to inherit what we leave behind? (Hint - answer is yes
)
Joking aside and stepping away from my two questions above, which were very much tongue in cheek I'd like to hear your opinion please. Not because I am going to take a view different to yours and argue until the sun implodes and not because it will be of comfort to me if your opinion agrees with mine, but because there may be elements of your opinion that I haven't thought of yet, which, I’d like to think may just enrich me.
I’ve said this before and like a stuck record I’d like to say it again. I have no allegiance to any political party. As we approach the next election I will read their manifesto’s and vote for the party who’s [manifesto] looks to share as many of my values as possible. Others will approach the subject in a different way and that’s the great part of the society we live in. Freedom of choice.
I am looking at how the parties will
- Run the economy
- Look after the environment
- Budget for education, policing, defence, the NHS, care in the community & mental health resources
- Achieve net zero and how they will measure what net zero means
- Work towards energy independence
- Reward work
- Level up including specific targeting of socio-economic deprivation
I’d like to think they include my needs to have a decent pension for when I retire, but if I have to work for a little longer instead then I’m going to have to suck that up.
Can I add a personal note please. Many of you are aware that I have had serious and progressively declining mental health issues since I was 13-14 years old. The NHS have never managed to get on top of the root cause and consequently I’ve lead a life of inconsistent income and have until very recently had some significant symptoms associated with my condition. I’ve been off work for about 2 years now. I have not drawn a penny from the state. I have also paid for private medical support and managed to achieve a diagnosis and medication which both appear to be taking me in the right direction. At last. In lost net income and spending from our “rainy day savings”, including paying for private medical care, I am out of pocket about £200K. At the same time there has also been a loss to HMRC’s income from me not earning. I’ve managed to convince myself of the positive aspects and have started to think about my future income.
Long story, shortened. Having spoken with my daughters school I’m aware that approximately 10% of all the students in their two sixth form years are waiting for assessments for ADHD. The waiting list is a minimum of six months for referral. I’d guess, in reality, it’s probably a lot longer. Once the process of assessing ADHD has started it can be another 6-8 months before the process is complete and a diagnosed patient is on the correct dose of medication. There are also difficulties with availability of some ADHD medications.
I started sixth form studies forty-five years ago. That’s just a little short of half a century.
Of course I’ve thought about the costs I’ve mentioned above, and I know that delays my previously planned retirement date by at least 2 years. S.hit happens. However, when I heard about the students who are waiting to be assessed for ADHD I shed a tear. It’s just not right. It’s not good enough and we should and can do better. I am preparing some information for the school and am hoping to support them to find a solution to this immediate problem.
I’d like to see if any of the leading two parties make mention to dealing with mental health issues which, speaking from personal experience, need attention.
But enough about me. I’d like to hear you’re opinion, not on your political affinity, but how you think we can start thinking like an emerging market. As an eternal optimist I think there’s plenty of hope. As you’ve mentioned we have a government of self-serving silver haired folks whom, for the most, are detached from the economic restraints many of the electorate, they are paid to serve, have to live with.
AiY(D)