POLITICIANS NEVER WANT TO RETIRE !!!

Not anywhere is it prescribed at what age politicians must retire.  In fact, it would seem that most politicians, once they have power, they want to keep it forever.

We have seen this in the "Arab Spring" uprisings where politicians, who in fact have become dictators, have been in power for more than 30 or 40 years.  In some instances, with the help of the army, re-elections have been completely suppressed.

Thankfully this is not always the case. However, repeatedly we are faced with such instances, of old people hanging on to power, some of whom have accumulated and been elected to several mandates. 

The example of Berlusconi in Italy springs to mind. Likewise we also have Sepp Blatter the President of FIFA, who has been a leading light in the organisation for more than 30 years and is still cleaning-up suspected fraud.  There have been Popes and Politicians and other leading lights in public life who have long passed the age of 75 and who are no longer "young" men !!!

When the majority of people reach the age of 70 or 75 they no longer have the reflexes or strength of youth.  They have experience but less patience !!!  They in fact no longer reflect or understand the feelings or requirements of the average younger man.

This does not mean that older people have nothing left to offer.  They do have a greater perspective of life and its problems, just like Grandparents or elder Statesmen.  The advice such people can offer does not necessarily mean they must be "elected" or occupy permanently a role more suited for a younger person.  Also, the advice of older people is not always necessarily "right" !!!

The real problem is "What group of politicians would be prepared to propose an age limit for political re-election or service ?"  Where does one start ?

Here in France Arnaud Montebourg, recent candidate in the Socialist primary election, this week proposed an age limit of 67, for Socialist candidates in the next General Election in 2012. Could this be a start ? 

   

STOP ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION !!!

What one can read in the British Press today amounts to an admission that nobody in Government has come to grips with the problem of controlling illegal immigration !!!  The current Coalition Government inherited a flawed system from the Socialists but nothing seems to have changed since.

The Conservatives want to reduce illegal immigrants and even legal immigrants.  Any official figures or statistics will soon prove the contrary.  To know why, one just has to read the press today.  Every rightful Briton, who is a taxpayer or in Government service, should realize that these same newspapers are avidly read the world over, by Britons like me and also by potential illegal immigrants !!! 

What clear instructions did the Home Secretary, Theresa May issue to her services ?  What instructions has the Justice Minister, Kenneth Clark, issued to judges who are confronted with criminals who are also illegal immigrants ?  These two Government departments must get their act together !!!

Every illegal immigrant has a mouth that needs feeding and wants a job.  There are already enough unemployed Britons looking for jobs in Britain !!!    

  

GREECE CANCELS THE REFERENDUM; WHY ?

The real question is to know why has the Greek Minister of Finance formally cancelled the Referendum on the EU announced by the Prime Minister, Mr Papandreou ?

Is it to obey the orders of President Sarkozy and Chancellor Merkel and the EU ?  Or is it in preparation for the next step this coming weekend when Greece, after the Banks have closed for business, will announce its withdrawal from the EURO and a Devaluation ?

Speculation is always rife !!! 

In all events the withdrawal from the Referndum is already a defeat for democracy. In addition one should realize that nothing can be attained without the agreement of the Greek electorate. 

THE GREEK MONEY TURMOIL

If Greece opts to leave the EU and then declares itself Bankrupt, it must then adopt a new currency.  This could be "The New Drachma".

At that point in time Greeks will have EUROS in their pockets while awaiting the Physical arrival of new Drachmas.  The new Drachma will necessarily be devalued against the EURO.  In fact after devaluation there will be a new fixed parity.

Pensions, salaries, shop prices, petrol costs, etc will all have a depreciated New Drachma value. The EUROS still in the pockets of Greeks will still have a real value which is higher than the NEW Drachma. 

Bank account balances in Greece will automatically be converted into New Drachma values !!!  Will there be a run on banks to withdraw money before the New Drachma is introduced ?

The EUROS in Greek pockets will be hoarded for a "rainy day", just like the US Dollar in South America and many other countries.  It will be their reserve currency !!!  The promise is that there will be a great deal of turmoil during the coming days.    

"LES MILLIONS PERDUS DE L'EUROPE"

Last night in France I saw a documentary film on the ARTE CHANNEL entitled  "Les Millions perdus de l'Europe"  (The millions lost by Europe).  You can easily find the video of this transmission on the ARTE website.

The documentary film is an exposée of how EU subventions are in fact wrongfully diverted, without any real questions being asked by EU officials who never control the spending.

The uncontrolled subventions represents  5% of the payments by the EU. Almost 3 billion Euros are distributed by error. 

The film highlights several instances of  "Conflicts of Interests" on the part of retired, high powered, former EU executives who are now consultants...

PAPANDREOU; A LESSON IN DEMOCRACY

To the great surprise of President Sarkozy, Mr Papandreou proposed a referendum to the Greek people to ratify or not, the decisions taken by the Leaders of the EU on the Greek Bail-out.

In this way he gave a salutary lesson in democracy to Mrs Merkel and to President Sarkozy and also to the whole of Europe !!!

For once the National Voice of the Voters will be heard in the EU !!!

REFERENDUM ON GREEK BAIL-OUT

Greek politicians have forced the Prime Minister, Mr PAPANDREOU, to announce a referendum on the Bail-out which the EUROZONE imposed on Greece, but the main aim of which was to protect the EURO.

Such a referendum is urgent, but may not be able to take place before the New Year.

EURO politicians are riddled with anxiety at the thought of the effect this may have on the EURO and the EUROZONE. Bank shares have already been severely marked down on stock exchanges, but is this justified ?  The loans made to Greece had already been written-down by at least 50%, so this reaction may not be entirely justified.

It has been clear for more than a year that Greece was on the edge of bankruptcy and needed a devaluation of at least 50% if not more.  Greece needs a complete shake-up to get back on an even keel and then become profitable.  EURO-ZEALOTS have cost taxpayers 100 billion EUROS in unrecoverable loans which were forced on Greece.

Now the EUROZONE and the other EU member countries must re-write the EU treaty to avoid other scandals like this Greek tragedy. There will be a great deal of social unrest in Greece in the coming weeks.