Bag's Rants

Banging your head against a wall.

There have been various readers letters in our local rag regarding a decision made by the council for a new supermarket in the area. Basically there were several options and the council have chosen the one that will maximise their funds via car parking fees and amenities paid for by the contractors while building the new supermarket. A common ploy to get approval. We will upgrade the main road, provide a park, etc. at no cost to the council. A sweetener.

Anyway, what a surprise, they voted for the one they have supported from day one. This is despite petitions and a council meeting where all those that attended, except for the council staff, were against it. The usual waffle of after a comprehensive review which included input from the locals we decided to select application X. Like preparation H we get it in the same place.

Anyway, I was discussing the decision with a guy I met who was not too happy apparently he thinks that it will destroy his little bit of paradise. Of course all bar one of the options, do nothing, was going to do that but he believes this is the worst option.

I said to him that I had written to the paper earlier regarding democracy and the will of the people and how the council had put off the decision until after the last round of elections because they know the decision was going to be unpopular and they were frightened of losing their cushy roles on the council.

He said to me that he didn't believe they thought like that and that our council, labour controlled, was really looking after the people. This is despite the fact he was complaining about the latest major decision, the parking decision, the increases in the rates and they were destroying his way of life. They would still be considering him in all this where the other lot were all in it for themselves.

What hope do we have? The good news is this guy will be one of those that starve to death if they close the local chinese takeaway. but never fear his government will save him. Sadly he, and others like him, take us all down with them.

posted by Bag @ 8:21 pm