ConDem the CSR - or why the Liberal Democrats have sold their souls

So the comprehensive spending review (CSR) is out. As we expected, there are swingeing cuts in the UK Public Sector. There had to be, didn't there? After all, public borrowing was at an all time high. And it was all the fault of those Labour people, who got us into this mess, wasn't it? Sorry, I don't think so...

It's very convenient for the Conservative government to blame Labour and the financial crisis for the need to cut so deep. "Honest, we don't want to do this, but we don't have any choice folks!" Crocodile tears!

Let's look at some of the factors:

1. The financial crisis

Let's not forget what caused the problem in the first place. The worldwide financial crisis. This wasn't the fault of Labour, it was the fault of the banks and other financial institutions who were just too greedy. All those highly paid men (mainly) who didn't know any better than to lend money on the never-never. Even Homer Simpson could have worked out that if you give a mortgage to a pauper with a poor employment record, you're unlikely to ever get the loan paid back. never mind, it looks good on the books because the loan plus the interest it'll gain (if it is ever paid back) earns profits. Except that when the hammer falls and all those shaky loans default, the money is all lost. And there's no doubt this happened over and over and over, all for... GREED.

So the crisis hits. Sure we have to bail out the banks because our economies are intextricably linked to them. But do we have to bail out the bankers? I heard some politicians say that we couldn't afford to penalise the bankers because they might then leave the country. Well, duh! These are the people who got us into this mess, why would we wnat to keep them?

To give the Tories their due, Labour didn't do anything about then either. But come on: why do the working people of UK have to repay the debt that was inflicetd by the banks. Why do they get off scot free? Not a single banker has had to pay any real penalty (oh, sorry they have had their bonuses reduced. Poor them!)

2. Cuts in the public sector: where to cut?

Even if we did impose penalties on the bankers, it wouldn't be enough. There would still need to be cuts. So who should we make bare the brunt? Those who can most easily afford it, or those who can least afford it? Hmm, difficult one that. Let's see what the Bible has to say...

“If one of your fellow Israelites falls into poverty and cannot support himself, support him as you would a foreigner or a temporary resident and allow him to live with you. Do not charge interest or make a profit at his expense. Instead, show your fear of God by letting him live with you as your relative.”
Leviticus 25:35-36 (New Living Translation)

My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favour some people over others?  For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor” — well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? But you dishonour the poor! Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear? Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.

James 2:1-9 (New Living Translation)

The CSR will adversely affect the poorest groups the most, and the richest the least. This is wrong!

And there are other areas that could and should be cut much harder - why do we need Trident? Why do we need significant investment in roads (rail yes, but roads?).

3. I blame the Liberal Democrats

I don't really blame the Tories. They are just doing what they stand for. What they always do (despite their rhetoric) - looking after the rich. I blame the LibDems. Far closer politically to the left and socialism, they have sold their souls to get a share of power and to get the vote reforms they want. And one by one they are reneging on their own manifesto promises along the way. Shame on you!