Get out of the ivory tower: Word in the Streets

Some things he has said lately make a lot of sense.

On his charity cycle tour he talked with a lot of people and one thing that came out quite clear was that people are “especially sick of politicians who change their policies to suit their political convenience.”

Mr Abbott said things this columnist has been expressing often, words to the effect the people (us Australians) are fed up with under-performing governments and shallow point scoring oppositions.

Mr Abbott discovered some pertinent facts on his cycle tour.

I suggest, if all those pampered politicians took themselves out of their ivory towers and mingled with us, ‘the common folk’, they too may find some alarming truths about their handling of their political responsibilities.

Might I suggest, the sooner they begin listening to the people, the better.

Who knows – consideration of these findings might even save their political careers.

                    WITS

It was great to read Phil Coggins load up on the politicians for the inactivity on upgrades to Barton Highway and Lachlan Valley Way (News April 20).

I myself have seen some crazy driving on LVW, I told the story of the little blue car with a driver driving like they had a death wish.

We don’t have to imagine what Phil and other daily commuters see on this road, it’s a reality.

Phil is not exaggerating when, referring to driving either Barton Highway or LVW, he says, “It’s a game of Russian Roulette, and one day I fear the chamber will be loaded.”

Neil Langford on 2LF April 11 also had caustic comment along very similar lines to Phil Coggins.

The full transcript of Neil’s tirade I had hoped to have published in this paper.

This may not happen, but his research going back to 2001 is alarming and very critical of government’s lack of action on both these roadways.

Copies of the transcript he has forwarded to the relevant politicians.

Let me know if you’d like to read Neil’s comments – definitely worth a read.

If every user of these roads wrote a letter to their elected representatives condemning the dangerous state of these roads, it may provoke a reaction.

A trickle of letters maybe, a flood probably, a deluge definitely ….

But then again, they’re pollies and they don’t like rocking their little boats.

                    WITS

We use many expressions we take for granted little realizing there are historical facts behind them.

Take this one for example; There is an old hotel/pub in Marble Arch, London, which used to have a gallows adjacent to it.

Convicted prisoners were taken to the gallows to be hanged.

The horse drawn dray carting the prisoner was accompanied by an armed guard who would stop outside the pub and ask the prisoner if he’d like “ONE LAST DRINK”.

If he said “YES” it was referred to as ONE FOR THE ROAD, if he declined, the prisoner was ON THE WAGON.

                    WITS

In recent weeks much has been said about bullying. NSW is devising a new program to replace the Safe Schools Program.

Bullying has been a reality for years and unfortunately will continue to be.

Any program must include strategies to beat the bully.

Consider:

“If people are trying to bring you down, it only means that you are above them.”