Recall:
On the Economic Front, a rather entertaining debate between an economics Professor from the States, against a British Hedge Fund manager. The latter was vehemently condemning, and warning (I can't remember what about though), almost belittling the other persons prestige as someone whose only worry is tenure at his present university. Thought that rather ungracious, as he was losing respectability throughout the debate. No one's denying his passion, though he could have kept the accusations, and the little self-righteousness he had about him to a minimum. The Yank maintained respectability, and decorum warning him to 'Watch your rhetoric'.
A particularly pertinent episode. Concerning Ian Duncan Smith's task of attempting Welfare Reform. Images of him in South London at a Help Centre for the unemployed saw a politician removed from the activity taking place (a plastic cup exercise with a seemingly 'uneducated' youth). A politician looking down, who was more concerned about a fiscal defecit than the welfare of the people being subject to reform.
From personal experience of A4e:
I think a highly sophisticated volunteering scheme should take power (more like charities, than businesses) to help the unemployed. There needs to be more effective leadership structures who command respect, dignity, and integrity rather than business executives with a fear of revenue removed for not getting the statistics required. Common sense should take precedence, and there needs to be a greater attempt to UNDERSTAND. All too often people are dismissed as a statistic in the beuraoucratic desperation to 'get on with the job'. Jobs should be done properly, or not at all, as Centre Workers at large mirror politicians in approach.
Steve Webb (Minister for the Department for Work and Pensions) was the government's representative on the programme. He was put up against three representatives of the so-called long-term unemployed. The first was surprisingly eloquent and intelligent, and funny - he was a sufferer of BiPolar Disorder. The second was a woman with several young children who had been on benefits for 10 years. She was difficult to watch, unable to express herself, and coming across as completely lazy. She asked: 'Would you make me do a job I don't want to do?'. She was also concerned that recent legislation (something about lowering the age of kids for Mum's to go back to work) would adversely affect her benefits. Not very convincing. The last guy was supposedly an experienced and qualified worker who had been made redundant. His story about how he 'really wants to work, and sends over 10 applications a day' also wasn't very convincing. There was a great lack of energy about him, in my view, and the really desperate always seem to say the same thing to look credible. After trying so hard the first few times, it's hard to maintain that enthusiasm with that sustained effort.
Steve Webb wasn't any better. A Liberal Democrat that was talking the talk, and echoing the nice-sounding optimism of his superiors. To me, he just sounded like just another politician/bureaucrat, and failed to convince me that he had a real grasp and understanding of some of the electorate's genuine, more psychological concerns with regards to welfare, and real, practical, creative or innovative ways to tackle reform.
Random words:
Coercive
De facto
FTSE
DOW
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