Olympic opening

The opening show of the Olympics has cost £27 million to put on.

Someone on the radio said how wonderful it would be and what great value for money because it would show that Great Britain is a world leader when it comes to putting on a show.

Hmmm....I'd rather Great Britain was a world leader in:
industry
employment
training
education
health and social care
income across all stratas of society
justice
environmental issues

When I was a child I had an autograph book and someone wrote in it, 'All the world is a stage but you don't have to be the clown'. If all we're good at is putting on a show then are we simply the clown?