Death is a Star

The BBC have been pumping out a lot of stories about death this week, think it might be national dying week or something.

It started with the annual poll of death related issues from the “Dying Matters Coalition” published by Comres

http://www.comres.co.uk/poll/669/dying-matters-coalition-survey-of-gps-and-the-public.htm

71% of the population think we feel uncomfortable talking about death. I can’t help feeling that some of this is down to some of the ridiculous theories of death propogated by some religions. I heard someone on thought for today on Radio 4 saying that we don’t really know what happens when we die. Of course we do – our concious self ceases to exist and our physical self decays or is incinerated.

Death is an end of us as an entity although we remain as a memory in the minds of people who knew us (until they die) and also as, for and for an increasing number of us, a redundant page on facebook.

Obviously the idea of ceasing to be is a frightening one and talking about it a bit morbid. All that we are and have been will be no more. However death can also be a release, the end of the struggle which is life and for many when the time comes it can also mean the end of pain. It is true that we find these thoughts difficult to express and the acceptance of death, despite its inevitability, seems like defeatism.

However I see life and conciousness as a marvel. We are made of the same stuff as the mud, stone and rivers. A collection of atoms, forming molecules, molecules forming cells and cells cooperating as living beings. Death will bring our personal end but our components (I know this sounds a cold, technocratic phrase) become part of the life around us. We are not reborn but we reform to be part of existence. We re-enter the rocks, the air, the waterways, we become part of everything which is this planet. Our lost ones are in the trees, the fields and the hills. Most things we see have been a part of previous life and will continue to be part of future life.  This is not mysticism or religion, this is science and for me there is little more full of wonder than scientific truth coupled with our ability to understand it.

Our life may be fleeting and ultimately without meaning but it is still wondrous and awe inspiring.

 

Yeah Yeah Yeah

I’m voting for an elected Mayor for Bristol because
1) We need someone with the democratic legitimacy to speak for the whole city not just one political party
2) We should have someone who can be selected by the whole city not just a few councillors acting in secret with vested interests in the result
3) We should have a system where the most talented people in the City can seek to be the leader of the city not just drawn from people who can afford to be councillors
4) The mayoral system is already seeing powers moving from national to local government, the more city mayors we have the stronger voice there is for this
5) We need someone who draws votes from all of the city and doesn’t ignore areas where their party can’t win wards
6) Bristol council is in a rut it needs shaking up

Sweet Charity

The Government have come under fire for seeking to reduce tax allowances for donations to charity.

Having run two charities and as someone who opposes this outrageous and damaging Government you might expect me join the baying crowd. But I’m not so sure. Firstly we have the millionaire philanthropists complaining that this will make them donate less. So what they are saying is that they don’t really make donations out of “a love of humanity” (the meaning of philanthropy) but to reduce their tax bill.  The vast majority donors don’t know about tax reliefs or indeed claim them.

The second issue which concerns me is that ‘charity’ is seen as a good thing, however not all charities are equal. Yes they include many fantastic organisations but also Eton College and other private schools.  Ironically my donating to Eton you can reduce the amount you pay for state schools, charitable?

Charities have been used to channel funds to political parties and some have been specifically set up to hide money from the taxman (Private Eye is good enough a source for me).  The Charity Commission which oversees the sector has not been untouched by the cuts.

Philanthropy has great traditions and supports some great work but should it really be a mechanism for avoiding the taxes which pay for health, education and other social services/

A background report on charitable giving can be found here

https://www.cafonline.org/pdf/UK_Giving_2009.pdf

Whatever Happened to?

It is with more of a sense of relief and liberation than of sadness that I have come to realise that I won’t be seeking any elected office in the foreseeable future.

The all women shortlist rules me out of standing in Bristol West again and my partner’s job rules me out of standing for Bristol’s elected mayor (and for council as a councillor). I doubt any other opportunities will show themselves over the next 5-10 years.

In some ways I am not suited to modern politics where ‘the line’ and ‘loyalty’ are valued far more by the party hierarchy than principle and belief.  The loss of ideology to managerialism is a disappointing but understandable development as parties follow rather than lead the electorate. As a candidate in Bristol West I was frequently fielding calls from party staff asking me to remove  statements of political expression from my blog or facebook page.

Not only do I think I’m not cut out for this form of modern politics I also feel that political activism brings out some of my worst traits, grumpiness and partisan aggressive argumentativeness are not attractive (and that’s just with some of my own party). I loved the engagement with communities and individuals but and I am a bit of a loner and not good at the joining of gangs which politics requires. I also lack that drive to become an MP which blots out all else which I see in many of those who are successful.

Added to this although I enjoy political involvement, debate and trying to make a positive change I currently feel I can do this more successfully and effectively through my work.

One of my bosses once said to me that my problem was I couldn’t decide whether I wanted a professional or a political career and that trying to ride two horses meant that I was not truly successful in either. For the time being I think I will concentrate on my professional work.

World turned upside down

During the days of the poll tax, the slogan of protesters was “Can’t pay, won’t pay”.

The poll tax (along with Europe) finally did for Margaret Thatcher. Demonstrations and riots across the country, some in otherwise sleepy market towns, made the tax untenable.

A different kind of demonstration has overturned the 50% tax on income over £150,000 per annum. That protest could probably be summed up as “Can pay, won’t pay”.  The wealthy just find ways to move their money and assets beyond the reach of the tax collectors. The response from the Government is to say, the rich are not paying this tax at the level we would expect so we are going to drop it. Although the Chancellor used words to attack tax dodgers, he used actions to reward them.

Can you imagine another area of public expenditure where if people refused to pay they were just had the bill removed. If I refused to pay my council tax would the Chancellor abolish the tax, of course not. I would end up in the courts and ultimately in prison.

Once again we see that the normal rules of society don’t apply to the wealthy.

The sound of the crowd

See my (and others) latest views on the proposals for and against an elected mayor

http://www.ideasfestival.co.uk/?p=2769

So Lonely

I have a sad tale to tell. One of a lonely man walking the streets of Bristol in search of love. He has posted details of his sad tale through many letterboxes on his Focus newsletter. To protect his identity as we retell his story on the world wide web we will call him Steve. If you know anyone who can help him his address is at the end of this post.

Steve first read about love in his local     library. It seemed so wonderful and so easy

He then tried the internet as he had heard that it was a great way to find people.

He sent out his message and waited outside.

But no-one came so he ran out into the street to seek his love.

But all he could find was a lamppost.  They spoke for sometime but Steve realised that the relationship had no future. So he rushed into the next street.

Unfortunately once again the street had been abandoned. Now somewhat disheartened he made his way to the local park.

Although the sign welcomed him, people, and even ducks were nowhere to be seen.

At last he settled upon a solution.

Steve decided to join a local fitness club to increase his pulling power.

Can you help Steve? Then write to Steve, Man in a jacket, Freepost RSKZ-STLK-BUYA, Bristol BS7 8ND