Lives that must revolve around Politics

nanna8

PoliticsNerd

As it's not running down the UK nanna8, you could give it a miss.

I will, mate. Don’t worry yourself.
Just quietly, I think the UK is a wonderful place but I don’t like the people in charge . I suppose that is too hard to grasp, never mind. No point in arguing. Have a lovely day .

😂
I love the way you tell ‘em.

Yes, young blood is what's needed Furret . People with energy and who are busy so to cut the chat and get stuff done pronto so they can be on to the next thing.

Churchview

Furret

Trouble is … by not taking an interest in politics we handover power to certain types. Parish, Town, District, County Councils are finding it harder to get volunteers to stand for election.

The very people, ordinary citizens like many on here, who are representative of their communities, who know what needs doing, really don’t want to stand.

Pity.

I am very active on environmental issues and especially plastic waste getting into the sea. As a result I've attended several meetings of our local town council and made contributions. Every time I go they ask if I will stand for election but it's such a time consuming and thankless task anyone who does it deserves a medal.

I have to say too, that a lot of the time it is a group (of mostly older men with very set views) chatting amongst themselves and not really getting a lot done. I can understand why people wouldn't want to give up their time to this.

Very true. Retired, white, middle class men.

But the Green Party is. starting to see more young (30-40) people taking an interest. Our council now has a majority of Green councillors many of them young.

😁

PoliticsNerd

As it's not running down the UK nanna8, you could give it a miss.

I will, mate. Don’t worry yourself.
Just quietly, I think the UK is a wonderful place but I don’t like the people in charge . I suppose that is too hard to grasp, never mind. No point in arguing. Have a lovely day .

nanna8

Sheesh - what on earth is this thread about? Can’t even read past the first few which is unusual for me.

Well, my comprehension skills have been severely tested when trying to read some posts, nanna8 😀

As it's not running down the UK nanna8, you could give it a miss.

Sheesh - what on earth is this thread about? Can’t even read past the first few which is unusual for me.

That would be good to know Whitewave.

Comments suggesting such things as an "unhealthy" interest in politics reminds me of the American rights attempt to "own the libs".

This has been fascinating, often including social media posts that mock American liberal beliefs, public demonstrations that counter "leftist" narratives, or satirical content aimed at exposing what conservatives see as flaws in liberal policies.

Often used with a tone of triumphalism, it suggests that the person or group who "owns" the libs has successfully outsmarted or embarrassed them.

While some see this activity as humorous or entertaining, it seems to blind those using it to the outcome populists intend for them, as well us the population they appear to 'hate'.

I listen to Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell, whose depth of knowledge of world politics can only be forged by an enormous amount if reading, watching, listening and thinking.

I suppose you might wish to give it a pejorative label, but I wouldn’t.

I have yet to meet a single person with an obsession about politics, unless you would include political commentators, whose huge interest means that they keep up with as much as possible in order to understand what is going on.

But I wouldn’t call that an obsession, any more than my huge interest in the 18th and 19th century of Europe, which I always have a book etc being read.

An obsession.

As opposed to an unhealthy interest?

How would I recognise an unhealthy interest?

I don’t know the poster but I see her posting regularly perfectly normally. She’s probably fed up with one or two whose lives seem consumed by political issues such as Brexit. As am I, whilst taking a healthy interest in current affairs.

Barleyfields

*PN*. I am supposing only that the OP isn’t much interested in politics. That’s fine. I have not assumed that she or anyone else has a shallow life. She probably has many other interests, as do I. She contributes to other threads, but it is not the case that all our interests are covered on GN, nor would I expect them to be. Medieval history, anyone? Forensic science?

Sorry, missed this. I think you are saying what I said previously - that we all have other lives than GN

Barleyfields

I see no reason at all to be worried about the OP PN. Some people do seem to be totally consumed by political issues. She’s not, nor am I.

My immediate reaction was "Why on earth would anyone post that?", but that reaction worries me as people will sometimes hint at a greater personal issue by making a remark that is off kilter. However, if you are familiar with this poster and know they are okay I'm happy to accept that.

PN. I am supposing only that the OP isn’t much interested in politics. That’s fine. I have not assumed that she or anyone else has a shallow life. She probably has many other interests, as do I. She contributes to other threads, but it is not the case that all our interests are covered on GN, nor would I expect them to be. Medieval history, anyone? Forensic science?

Barleyfields

I see no reason at all to be worried about the OP PN. Some people do seem to be totally consumed by political issues. She’s not, nor am I.

You are supposing that some people only have an interest in the things they discuss on GN. Why do you assume eceryone has such a shallow life? I feel pretty sure the majority don't.

My worry is that by viewing other members in this way, the OP may be reflecting her own life and, more importantly, the effect it us having on her.

this is what people in charge want though
they want us all to be too busy to notice
(I am too busy)

Hatcham

There is a saying 'The personal is the political ' because so much of our daily lives depend on political decisions.

Exactly what I was about to say.

The state of our roads, the state of our schools, problems with the NHS, when the buses run, where the shops are, every aspect of everyday living is political.

It is impossible for anyone to say they are not interested in politics, because politics is how our everyday life works and I have yet to meet anyone who doesn't curse when their bus is running late, or the local school doesn't have a place for their grandchild, or their operation is cancelled twice.

You may not be interested in how the political parties work, their in-fighting and gossip, but politics occupies your thoughts almost all day long.

There is a saying 'The personal is the political ' because so much of our daily lives depend on political decisions.

And while you work two jobs and are too busy for politics there are people demanding change from politicians so that people don't have to spend most of their lives working just to cover basics.

They may be:
putting food on table
Yes, often
Giving birth
Not today
Childcare
Nor that today
Looking after elderly or dying parents
We are the elderly parents
Multiple hospital visits
Yes, it is one of those weeks
Massive failing health
Old age doesn't come alone

Must go, just watching the news, Chris Mason, Political Editor

The OP often posts that are incomprehensible to me.
I wouldn’t worry.
There have been times on the N&P threads where she has confused herself.

I don’t like any judgemental posts, where somebody assumes that because they aren’t interested in any particular topic, there must be something wrong with those who do and their lives. Who are any of us to judge fellow Gransnetters?