The rich get richer and the poor get poorer

John Clark writes…

First published: March 2005 – Gazette & Herald

Congratulations! Congratulations to the Labour Government for introducing the minimum wage. That isn’t the approach expected by one politician to another political party. The minimum wage is however a step in the right direction albeit decades overdue. It is a lifeline for many people in Ryedale. An immense pity for the low paid is that the minimum wage is not pitched at a level that provides a living wage. Continue reading Ryeview – March 2005 →

Levy heavy taxes on second homes

John Clark writes…

First published: February 2005 – Gazette & Herald

Ryedale people live in houses. They are our homes – they are not an investment. Continue reading Ryeview – February 2005 →

Think you live in a democracy?

John Clark writes…

First published: January 2005 – Gazette & Herald

The Indian Ocean tsunami has underlined one thing: people throughout the UK are generous. Meanwhile where are the politicians? – nowhere. British overseas aid is 0.4% of GDP. It is lower than we achieved in 1997. The Third Party aims to achieve the UN target of 0.7% over 10 years. People are giving money now – not in 10 years. The public are ahead of the politicians and the undemocratic institutions. Continue reading Ryeview – January 2005 →

Tax must be based on an ability to pay

 John Clark writes…

First published: December 2004 – Gazette & Herald

Why does the Council Tax need to be reduced? It is an unfair tax. It penalises those on low incomes. Over the years the Council Tax in Ryedale has increased by well above the rate of inflation.  Incomes have not risen by a proportional amount. The state Retirement Pension has risen even less. In Ryedale there is a large number of people who are retired or on a minimum wage. This of course makes the problem worse. Continue reading Ryeview – December 2004 →

Reduction in public services is simply not on

John Clark writes…

First published: November 2004 – Gazette & Herald

Have you ever needed a phone box? You may not be able to use one in the future. The reason given for closing BT public phone boxes is that they are not profitable. British Telecom is not ‘allowed’ to subsidise their ‘existence’ using profit from domestic telephone lines. They are not ‘allowed’ to run them at a loss. Continue reading Ryeview – November 2004 →

Take care not to rush down ASBO rabbit hole

John Clark writes…

First published: October 2004 – Gazette & Herald

Being caned at school was a medal to be worn with pride. If ‘street cred’ had existed it would have received a boost. Ties were worn thin and long – the opposite of the authority view. Doing the opposite and being proud of the punishment still applies today. Continue reading Ryeview – October 2004 →

Politicians stand in the way of democracy

John Clark writes…

First published: September 2004 – Gazette & Herald

Ryedale is losing out. The benefits of democracy do not appear to exist in the district. Yes democracy survives, we have elections and thus an MP, county and district councillors. What we haven’t got is political debate, campaigning, alternatives or choice. Democracy does not flourish. What is not clear is whether these are Ryedale symptoms or part of a national epidemic. Continue reading Ryeview – September 2004 →

John Clark writes…

First published: July 2004

For tens of thousands of years humans lived as part of nature. For hundreds of years we have tried to conquer nature – many believe we have won or are at least winning. Within the next few tens of years nature is going to get her own back. This ‘revenge’ doesn’t look as though it will be a short term drought or a plague of locusts. It is likely to be far more serious. We are changing the balance between carbon in the atmosphere and carbon trapped within the surface of the earth. Continue reading Ryeview – July 2004 →

I’m not voting

John Clark writes…

First published: June 2004 – Gazette & Herald

I am interested in politics; I can be bothered; I’m not bored; I’m not young; I’m not apathetic and I’m NOT VOTING. How else do I protest? Vote for an extreme party? I’ve considered writing ‘No Thankyou’ on the ballot paper. I’ve wondered about standing with a banner. The possibility of throwing green flour at Tony Blair crossed my mind. Maybe I could write to my MEP if I knew who or where to contact them. The politicians are unaware that most of those who don’t vote are protesting. Continue reading Ryeview – June 2004 →

Protect our native Flora

John Clark writes…

First published: May 2004 – Gazette & Herald

For fifty years farmers have spearheaded a campaign of destruction. Hedgerows, flower meadows, cornfield flowers, water meadows and farmland birds have all been dramatically reduced. All in the name of efficiency. All in the name of cheap food. All in the name of profit. Are farmers the main culprits? Definitely not. This biodestruction has been co-ordinated, encouraged and often paid for by governments of all colours through their agent MAFF. Continue reading Ryeview – May 2004 →