Some points to consider (From Penarth Times)

Some points to consider

9:00am Thursday 4th February 2010

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THIS is the time when candidates to represent Cardiff South and Penarth in Parliament will be stating their policies.

It is also a time when the god of Free Market Economics (FME), despite the exposure of its feet of clay in providing for the common good of people and the natural world, is desperately working to maintain power. This is shown in the concerted attempts by much of the media, politicians and business to sideline the widespread concern about the environment which was present in the run-up to Copenhagen and to focus instead upon the mantra of economic growth. So, to stay in favour with this god, here are some commandments which candidates will be wise to obey: 1. If you recognise that global warming is the current most serious threat to human existence, and that its root human cause is the increasing production and consumption of goods and services, do not say anything which could be interpreted as being critical of free market dogma. 2. In particular, do not refer to the research of the World Wide Fund for Nature that we in the UK are currently using the earth’s non-renewable resources at the rate of three planets when we have only one.

3. Never point out that that there is a logical contradiction between living within the limits of one planet and the seeking of economic growth – with its accompanying increase in consumption.

4. Always be ultra-careful about implying that limits to growth inevitably raise the question of a more fair distribution of earth’s resources, both within the UK and internationally.

5. Even if you are knotted up inside about the two billion people who go to bed hungry each night, about the ongoing extinction of species of all kinds, and about the impoverished world that our children and grandchildren are heading for, never imply that these phenomena are in any way caused by the god of FME.

6. If you are asked questions about trade injustice, always respond to them by speaking about Fairtrade. Fairtrade transactions, while a crucial development towards justice, remain less than one ten-thousandth of world trade: so they don’t worry the economic powers one iota.

7. Never indicate that other values should take precedence over economic ones. No matter how much you believe in the primacy of love, friendship and community, ensure that your public statements indicate that higher levels of production and consumption are the answer to the world’s problems.

8. Whilst you may have a strong belief in the importance of fairness and equality in democratic representation, do not let that get in the way of seeking power for the political party that you support. The god of FME is only interested in representational systems that promote its values: so never change one just for reasons of fairness.

9. Do not acknowledge that the only way forward for humanity in the face of current global problems is by way of co-operation.

Such an admission would challenge competition as a basic value of the god of FME. Even worse, it could lead to serious investment in peace-building and mediation capacities, undermining both the development of more destructive weapons systems and the worldwide arms trade which that process supports.

10. Even though you may be in an adversarial relationship with other political parties, stay very close to them in the common worship of this god, thus ensuring that the dangers listed above are kept at bay.

Phil Kingston St Luke’s Avenue Penarth

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