Having linked to that little survey (where it reports over 30% of respondents will be attending) I foolishly read some of the comments, and granted the people commenting probably only read the article which claimed that the Rally against debt was a “pro-cuts” demonstration. But still other people tried to put that fallacy straight, but it would seem that for many of our friends over at the Gruniad the idea of being against the debt, but not necessarily in favour of cuts seems to be too subtle a point for them. The hopes for violence and the suggestion that everyone who’ll be at the rally are far too rich and self centred to understand the impact of the cuts are also not really indicators of well thought out positions. But then as one of them did observe this debate (like so many others) isn’t exactly awash with intellectual rigour. Thankfully for that and a moral consideration we can as ever turn to Archbishop Cranmer who I think captures the purpose of the rally (not a protest) quite succinctly:
“The Rally against Debt is, in reality, a moral exhortation to people (and so the Government) to live within their means. It is essentially a response to the ‘March Against Cuts’, held earlier this year, which brought together many thousands of people whose logical objective was to sustain the nation’s debt and increase the budget deficit.”
Considering the no-cuts campaign the only way it can be justified is if one feels that there is within our Government not one scintilla of wastage, that every penny is carefully and thoughtfully spent, mindful that it was produced by the sweat and toil of someone’s labour. If anyone does actually think that I’ve got a the deeds for a wonderful cloud castle full of unicorns and magic money trees that they might be interested in. Equally given the lack of debate and how the cuts seems to be being handled I don’t trust that the cuts are being given much thought either, I don’t believe that each cut is being carefully considered, for necessity and impact or each service checked for wastage. The lack of thought and imagination within the corridors of power is troubling. Could not radical reform and simplification of benefits perhaps with a a citizens wage not save money and make it easier for people to work (though obviously it’ll be harsh on the armies of people currently employed to administer our Byzantine benefits system). Or maybe we could look at how we tackle poverty and where we’re giving international aid (do China, Pakistan and India really still need money from us say?).
So unless you think that a country having a large and increasing debt is a good thing, why not come along and see if we can’t get a real discussion started as to what can actually be done about it?
Thanks for linking to the CI article.