311. The Crisis, William Hague Leads the Way

1950s, sitting on dad's lap and doggy by the feet was happiness enough

The tendency of leaders is to instil in people’s minds that moaning about the crunch will get you nowhere except adding a touch more misery to an already burdened mind.  But good leaders don’t just stop at that, they also give some indication of what to do about it.

Although the present economic crises cannot be compared to the one during and just after the last war where thousands of people died literally for lack of food, nevertheless the fact that we are not “growing” anymore, development has come to a standstill preys heavily on the mind and consequently on our well-being.  Somehow we just have to get out of this rut and the only way, is to do something about it.

But what can we do?

1960s People developed the economy by inventing their jobs

Here is where the past can come to our aid.  For example the most fast selling book in Greece is a cookery book, but not one you expect to see on sale today.  As the Guardian put it “Belt-tightening Greeks turn to starvation cookbook” which is made up of survival recipes used by Greeks during the occupation of World War II.  Many invented their means of survival digging up every available strip of land and planting crops.  Just after the last war the Italian Prime Minister told people to take up their bundles (there weren't cases in those days) and go abroad, which many did.

But to say such things and expect to remain in power takes courage because it is not what people want to hear.  Nevertheless William Hague, Britain’s Foreign Secretary did precisely that in an interview with the Sunday Telegraph.  He told critics to stop “complaining” and “get on with the task of delivering more of those jobs. “  Furthermore he adds: “There’s only one growth strategy: work hard.”

Even children are taught that one must work

However, William Hague does not leave it at that since many may say, they would work harder if they had a job to go to in the first place.  He tells them to get on a plane, go and sell things  overseas, go and study overseas...  But if someone really wanted a job, there are plenty of those, say I, in every European country, unfortunately it involves wearing an overall, getting your sleeves rolled up and applying elbow grease against which natives stick up their noses, forcing the country to seek employees overseas.  These unemployed “gentry” are the first to moan about the government not giving them a job. Ha! The government has to give them a job?  The government can only create the conditions for jobs, but it is the people who have to take up the bait... and if no one does so, well we all know the answer to that one.

Yes, I agree, go and study overseas- my goodness you’ll be in for a shock!  Unless you have a sugar daddy you have to work in a bar or whatever by day and study by night, or vice-versa- there are no grants, certainly not in Italy and you will probably find the same situation worldwide.  You’ll certainly miss your cushy British system of education- I can vouch for that!

Life is not so cushy overseas (Morocco 1980s)

There are many benefits the British have, which they won’t find abroad and going abroad is about the best way one can appreciate how lucky one is to have such benefits they won’t find elsewhere.  However the point of the matter is that the entire world is undergoing an economic crises.  Europe is at a complete standstill, but so is the USA and those countries that are the most fast developing like India, have problems enough that no amount of growth can overcome as yet.  Not to talk about Africa whom no-one seems interested in developing their fertile lands, first and foremost the native themselves- they think it is much easier to get fast money by setting up drugs and prostitution rackets in their neighbouring country instead, namely, Italy.

And if we really must speak about China... well, China is one country a lot of layabouts would do well to study and imitate, just to invert the trend for a change.  However, just thank the good Lord you are born in a free country, as no amount of economic growth can ever compensate for the loss of such freedom.

We have come a long way from this (1950s) to see below:

To this- and that's why we moan because we want more of this!!!

But if we truly need to get ourselves out of this mire and Italy is one of the first culprits, we need to stop spending more than we can afford as Mr Micawber in David Copperfield says:

"My other piece of advice, Copperfield," said Mr. Micawber, "you know. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen and six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds ought and six, result misery. The blossom is blighted, the leaf is withered, the god of day goes down upon the dreary scene, and — and in short you are forever floored. As I am!"

Otherwise we will end up in the Work House like Micawber did in Victorian times... and those times I do believe were just a teeny weenie more difficult than present ones, would you not agree?

Sunday Telegraph Interview: William Hague

Belt Tightening Greeks Starvation Cookbook