The Views of a Boote

[jamieboote-blog]

The United States of America, if you pardon the pun...

The American Dream. Of Mice and Men. The Pursuit of Happiness. America just loves to believe it offers the world hope. Each American feels it is his or her right to achieve greatness and roam the world free.

Yet, the problem with America's American Dream, is that everyone worries what will happen when they get it.

Imagine, or even research, the wealth of Americans. A traditionally booming economy. California is one of the top ten largest economies in the world, yet, it is just one of 50 US states. America's debt crisis could be helped by raising taxes for the top American earners.

Oops. I just ruined my chances of becoming President of the United States. Never say "raising taxes." Congress just cannot raise taxes. Why? Because no one would ever vote for those Congressmen and Senators again. Why not just raise the top earners? Because: "what if I become one of those top earners, or my child does?"

Americans can give themselves false hope, and though I rue saying the phrase "false hope," they genuinely do.

My point? Sort it out America. Your Congress's lack of nerve and your unrealistic ambitions could put the world into a great economic depression. Then we'll all going to be characters in Of Mice and Men.

[jamieboote-blog]

Bye bye NOTW, hello justice? I don't think so.

As I begin my journey as a player of UK politics by studying reading materials and watching endless news and political shows, I feel comfortable in writing a competent opinion on the whole NOTW saga. Firstly, the country shouldn't feel for a second that the discarding of the Sunday newspaper, the News of the World, is in any way a consequence of, or apology for, the corporation's misdemeanors. The people responsible for the horrendous attacks on public privacy and disregard for media ethical practices are still to be brought to justice. The NOTW closure was a combination of the corporation making cost cuts and as an apology for some who aren't as informed on media workings as others. Secondly, if Ed Milliband can't take advantage of this entire scandal, he doesn't deserve to be a MP, let alone the Labour Party leader. Most political commentators are crediting the Labour leader for getting the inquiries going sooner and forcing the PM to act quicker. PM Cameron can only lose, as he has no one to fire and no one to hold to account, apart from himself. Finally, the public rely on the press for a substantial percentage of their political news and almost all of their investigative journalism. I'm no media expert but this whole saga should clean up the industry's bad practices and ethical negligence. However, it should never compromise the freedom of the press and the need for journalists to uncover hidden stories, that would otherwise by ignored. So, by all means, push for the industry to be appropriately regulated but, never intrude on the freedom of the press. The leader of the opposition must ensure he wins this battle, as this whole scandal may dent the PM's reputation permanently and see a swing of support for Labour in the next general election.

[jamieboote-blog]

Old or New Labour?

New Labour - it wins elections.

you?

[jamieboote-blog]

The Reunited Labour Party

They're the most famous brothers in the Labour Party. One is a former Foreign Secretary and one is the leader. Both have been successful and both are the most influential voices within the party. Yet, like typical rival brothers, they are far from united- as the not so long ago Labour Party leadership battle showed.

This is exactly what the party doesn't need. A brotherly rivalry within a far from united party. In my opinion, Labour's role as the Official Opposition would have been a lot smoother and stronger if David had won the battle. However, with Ed it was always clear that the party was to move away from its barely left of centre position, to a more socialist, left leaning position.

The problem is time. There isn't enough of it. Cameron has listened to Blair and is quickly steaming through an agenda that nobody really voted for. If there was ever a time for real opposition, a man or woman that Cameron could fear, then this past year had been it!

Alas, Ed Milliband launched his manifesto of Labour policies by announcing the policy book was empty. He wanted real consultation. He was willing to listen and get the people represented. It's a fair point. The national party had lost touch with the local factions and CLPs. But, Ed needs to act now- quickly, not slowly, and loudly, not quietly.

His recent call for bipartisanship on elderly care policy is a good start. It's an obvious area where ideology and party doctrine have no influence. The state has to look after the elderly. He was also right to go against the recent protests. The unions were fooling nobody by holding strikes just after the examination period. However, he isn't doing it loud enough. No one is listening.

It could be argued that this is the media's fault. They aren't giving him the press coverage he desires. But, what is there to report? Every time the Tory led government releases a new policy, Ed should be there with the Labour Party's opposing policy or, with the party's fundamental agreement and suggestions for improvements.

I'm neither anti-Ed and pro-David nor am I pro-Ed and anti-David. I just want an opposition I can stand up for. Our party needs a real message we can stand up for. We need leaders and heroes sat on our front benches. People who we can be inspired by. Whether we keep Ed or abandon him, whether we redefine New Labour or reinstall Old Labour, we need to be united in order to be strong opposition. One voice for once party.

[jamieboote-blog]

This is why I'm going into politics.

An Afghan child will spend on average 2 years in school (we won't leave the country until it's stable and allow them to fix this). 45 million Americans do not have healthcare insurance (Barack Obama is fixing it). There are around 5 million children in the UK who are categorised as below the poverty line (£10 per child, per week would eradicate this). Over 100 million children will never step inside a school (we can end these sort of stats).

I've had 15 years of free education and healthcare, I'll spend another 4 years studying (it's payback time). 

[jamieboote-blog]

Where's the real news?

There are journalists in Mexico that continue to report on the problems of gangs in the country. As the gangs continue to sell, trade and distribute drugs, they also continue to murder, threaten and kidnap those journalists. Most newspapers and other news communicators refuse to report, because they are tired of losing photographers and having to pick up the bodies of dead investigatory writers.

So, it must be an obligation of our free world, the Western world, with all its glory and money, combined with its moral values and human rights to report on the real news. We have twitter, where a man, woman or child can create an account and say what they think without the fear of that sudden knock on the door or sudden blast from a car boot. Yet, we continue to live with an obsession for celebrity and political gossip.

Instead of trying to work out who CTB is, why don't we learn initials such as FDR and JFK? Because that would be smart and sensible- a.k.a boring.

I want to know why there are 45 million in the US without healthcare, yet the country spends 12% of its GDP but in Britain we spend 6% and give universal healthcare.

I would like to know why 3 in 4 Afghanistan children don't get to see a school and the 1 in 4 that do, get just two years to learn how to be a correct citizen.

Of course, I know the reasons why this injustice takes place. I've gone onto the websites that tell me, investigated and come to conclusions.

More people in the UK will know who CTB is than know that most MPs work in Portcullis House, rather than the actual Houses of Parliament building.

It hurts, knowing that Gordon Brown was judged on his looks and personality and what he did wrong, rather than what he did right and how he stood up for the working people, gave help to those who wanted to work and pushed to ensure every child got an equal start in life and a healthy, relevant education.

Anyone reading this, go onto 4OD and visit the Unreported World programme page. It's fascinating and, you may learn a thing or two, that you didn't previously consider, about the world we live in.

[jamieboote-blog]

Vote for who ever you like... just make sure you vote!

Less than a month to go until we go to the polls. The second national referendum to take place in the UK and its again, on a significant constitutional issue. Whatever the decision, this is going to be real democracy in action. Whether your for or against or undecided, make sure you vote on May 5th. I'd prefer you vote Yes but, I'd rather have a 80% turnout than 80% of votes.

[jamieboote-blog]

Yes to AV - Ask why and we shall explain.

Just yesterday, Thursday 7th April, a teacher asked me "AV or First Past the Post?" I replied "AV" without even knowing I had done it. As any good teacher or good citizen does, she asked "why?" This was a potential Yes vote in the May referendum, I couldn't mess this up. So, I explained my case for AV. I did it with relative ease. She asked questions and I gave good answers. The fact is though, there's a reason why it was easy to make a case for AV and against FPTP. It's because AV makes much more sense than our current system. The No campaign can't give us real reasons to vote no. Our Yes campaign is cleaner and more convincing than our opponents. Britain, be sure to vote Yes in May's referendum. It's only the second national UK referendum, ever. Be positive and vote Yes for fairer votes!

[jamieboote-blog]

Royal Wedding- We're Not Celebrating!

The Telegraph newspaper reports that 1 in 3 councils have had no applications for street parties, when the royal wedding takes place. What surprises me more is that 2 in 3 have. In an era where cuts dominate the news, and when parents fear they cannot pay the rent this month or a father or mother fears they may not be employed next month, we see no reason to celebrate, especially not when those being celebrated have hardly done a days work in their lives.

[jamieboote-blog]

Why I'm Voting Yes2Av.

In March 2011, I turned the most sought after age of them all - eighteen. That means I'll be voting in any sort of public vote for the first time in May 2011 (when the referendum on the Alternative Vote takes place).

Originally, I was going to vote No. Perhaps because it wasn't true PR. Perhaps because of the risk of coalitions (which isn't actually true). Then I see an advert with a picture of a sick, premature baby that is on a life support machine. Next to the picture of the poor girl, there is a slogan that reads "She needs a new cardiac machine, not an alternative voting system." This sort of advertising is disgusting and I am embarrassed I ever considered joining the No2AV campaign.

If the No camp has to tread this low, to use negative imagery and false advertising- does this mean there argument against the AV system isn't as strong as the Yes2AV? That is exactly what it means. Almost every cause against the AV system is out-swayed by the for camp's arguments.

No, AV will not produce coalition after coalition. Studies show that had the Alternative Vote system been used for previous elections, there would still be consistent majority governments.

No, AV will not give the BNP power. It is extremely unlikely that smaller parties will benefit like that, as 50% of a constituency's voters must give a vote to the party (that just isn't going to happen for the BNP or the Greens!).

Yes, AV will make MPs work harder to win your votes. They will need to be clever to balance the need for first preference and second preference votes but, that will be a good thing!

As a political student, as a Labour Party member, as a advocate of democracy, I ask you to vote Yes in May. Go to your local polling station on May 5th, give them your name, take a voting card and VOTE YES in the Alternative Votes referendum.

[jamieboote-blog]

Locally Controlled Grants Replace the Abolished EMA System

Now don't get me wrong, just because I receive EMA of £30 per week, does not mean I would support the scheme and oppose any reforms. There are obvious flaws such as the money going into the hands of the children with rich self-employed parents and those that rarely use the money to support their education.

However, the system helps so many, including myself, to rise from the ranks of the low-income families and set the path to success for the family's next generation.

BBC news reported today that "£165m" is going to be made available to "colleges and schools to make discretionary payments to support low-income students with costs such as transport, food and books." This is supposed to be a replacement for the previous EMA scheme, which paid the money directly into the bank accounts of the student. I'm extremely sceptical of this new method of payment, as I am sceptical of local control. Yes, circumstances are different around the country but, come on, how can this system possibly be anywhere near as beneficial as the previous system?

[jamieboote-blog]

I'm back.

Jamie Boote

[jamieboote-blog]

Protests by the People, of the People, for the People

Well, isn't it refreshing to hear that hundreds of thousands of ordinary people decided to march through London yesterday, for an alternative to the current government policies. It just showed that people are still engaged in politics, they do understand what the government are doing and they are willing to stand up for their believes.

Now, those in government, those that support public spending cuts will tell us, the public, the protesters, the people, that these cuts are necessary. We'll be told that the protesters were just angry that the previous levels of spending can't be maintained, that the problems of the UK balance sheets are not understood by the people in London's streets. Well, that is simply untrue. We, they, everyone understands the need for reductions in public spending. However, when a school is being denied the funds needed to provide a safe place to learn, when welfare is being cut, when those in the public sector suffer because of mistakes in the private sector, when VAT rises and corporation tax falls, when the chancellor gives a speech dominated by helping business, and not the people; the UK citizens, families, friends, adults, children say these aren't fair and necessary cuts.

Those protests in London yesterday were not against the Conservatives, nor were they for Labour. They were morally guided. They were a reminder to every political party, to every government be it local or national, to every authority, to every politician and world leader: the decisions you make, the cuts you take, the promises you fake, affect us, they affect the children, the adults, the elderly of the United Kingdom. Politicians in Parliament, listen to the voices on the street and make the right choices when cutting the services we hold so dear.

[jamieboote-blog]

Middle East

I really hope that Libya and Tunisia and Egypt are all just the start of a chain reaction that produces a democratic Middle East. Democracy isn't a perfect solution but, it keeps society on the right track to equality, freedom and the pursuit of happiness. Winston Churchill said something like "a case AGAINST democracy, is a 5 minute chat with the average voter. " The case FOR democracy, is that it keeps order in society and keeps a country's economy stable.

[jamieboote-blog]

Amazing.

[jamieboote-blog]

Politics: Beginning.

What a great week to begin my Tumblr account, with such a strong example of direct democracy in Egypt. Apparently, part of the country is in Asia. Perhaps a good example of British ignorance, is that I thought Egypt was the most African country that existed. How shameful! Anyhow, online social networking is perhaps one of the only ways a 17 year old is going to achieve a platform to express his political views, annoyances and believes. So, perhaps this is my watered down Egyptian moment. Of course, I’d much rather be helping the Egyptians gain democracy! It is incredibly refreshing to see such scenes, not the violence but, instead citizens coming together to fight for a real cause, and having a real chance of succeeding. They have, by doing this, begun building there pathway to freedom in a democratically run civilisation. Good luck to them! To paraphrase Obama: we know the battle ahead will be long, but always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices, calling for change!

[jamieboote-blog]

guess who!