The need for fair government

 
Ordered a another couple of T-shirts from SRSM today. The picture above is of me wearing a Scotland shirt I bought in Dundee on Wednesday. Unlike most unionists I believe if you are going to campaign as an Internationalist you must always firstly be willing to stand up for Scotland.

On another subject I bought four cans of cider last week at a £1.00 each. It was 5.3% strength so I understand why the SNP is concerned about the availability in shops corner and supermarkets of cut price strong booze. If we can improve the health of the nation while cutting down on crime then legislation to curb Scotland's drinking culture is required.

Another concern of mine is the number of money lenders selling pay day loans on the net and elsewhere. The huge interest these unscrupulous companies are charging is daylight robbery. I hope Westminster does something about the money lenders they would never be tolerated under a socialist government.

Which leads me onto the topic of socialism in an Independent Scotland. If the people hopefully one day want it then fine but I will still campaign for it before and after independence. Socialism is more likely to happen in a Scottish Republic which I am hoping we get after independence. The Scottish people are fair and adapt well being represented by a social democratic type government like the SNP. A step forward would be a state that is socialist but not authoritarian. In the meantime I support the campaign by some for a Scottish Workers Republic as envisaged by Red Clydesider John MacLean in Scottish history.

Anyway make sure you are registered to vote by the May 2011 Scottish elections and give your vote to the SNP.

Yours for Scotland
Larry

From welfare to job seekers for many

Being on long term Disability I never like getting mail from the DWP. The UK government over the years are always changing the Benefits system making it more complex and difficult to understand and implement properly. My recent post included a questionnaire form to asses if I am fit for work. Well they are having a laugh I haven't been fit for work since 1996. The London government want to scrap Incapacity Benefit putting sick and disabled people on Employment Support Allowance by October this year. Those who fail the medical test will have to apply for job seekers allowance. If I am called in for a medical it will be carried out by private firm Atos Healthcare.

However sick and disabled people are being 'pressurised to return to work' according to Citizens Advice Scotland.

Citizens Advice Scotland is calling for an independent review of the new Employment and Support Allowance system. Employment Support Allowance (ESA) was introduced 18 months ago to replace incapacity benefit. This was the result of New Labour's Welfare Bill in 2007.

But its new medical assessment has led to allegations by Citizens Advice Scotland that it targets the most vulnerable. A BBC Scotland investigation found that under ESA, more than two thirds of claimants are being found fit to work, almost 20% more than the government had planned.

It is now the most commonly appealed benefit, with 8,000 tribunals heard every month across the UK - and 40% of decisions are being reversed. So far, only those claiming after 2008 have undergone the medical, but longer-term claimants are due to be transferred to ESA in October.

Citizens Advice Scotland said that the system was unfit for purpose and called for an urgent review. ESA's controversial medical assessment is based on a points system. Those scoring 15 or more are entitled to extra money, and support back into employment.Those scoring less than 15 have to apply for jobseekers allowance, or find work.

I will keep readers updated as to how I get on and if or when I am pulled in for a medical.
Larry

Scottish Labour opportunist over minimum pricing

I got up very early this morning to check my emails and the news. Recently I joined Twitter and I have found it to be useful for following the Scottish news. If you are on Twitter you can follow me @ http://twitter.com/republicansoc Anyway drinking plenty coffee and checking out sites such as Newsnet Scotland where I can get news that is more balanced and not blatant unionist propaganda like the Scotsman is. I read the Scots Independent on the train yesterday and my journey seemed not so long or boring.

I also bought some cans of beer at the supermarket at a very affordable price. Then this morning when checking the SNP website for news I noticed that the SNP have welcomed reports that the Labour coalition partners in the Welsh Assembly Government are seeking devolution of licensing powers to Wales in order to introduce a minimum price for alcohol. Seemingly the Welsh Assembly Government intends to make a formal approach to the UK government for the devolution of powers in relation to alcohol licensing. And it is the case that the coalition is united in Wales on introducing minimum pricing on Alcohol. The SNP have said that "The Welsh Assembly Government joins a chorus of expert voices in health, public order and the licensed trade who believe that the selling of alcohol at rock-bottom prices is one of the biggest problems facing our society and that we have to take action to stop it now." Well this is in sharp contrast to Scottish Labour who have opposed the SNP initiative on alcohol pricing and put party politics above health.

SNP MSP Michael Matheson, a member of the Scottish Parliament's Health Committee has said that "the SNP's minimum pricing plan will save lives, cut crime and help re-balance Scotland’s damaging relationship with alcohol, and I call again for Scots politicians of all parties to stop playing politics with the nation's health and get behind these proposals."

And you can read this in full on the SNP website if you click here.

So far so good apart from the fact that Labour in Scotland seem determined to oppose minimum pricing. My knowledge on the Alcohol Bill is limited I have not read it but what I think is the case is that minimum pricing will affect the cost of a unit of alcohol. To me a unit measurement of alcohol is equivalent to half a pint of beer. And if minimum pricing is the best way to tackle Scotland's alcohol abuse then so be it. I trust the Scottish Government know what they are doing so I am slowly accepting the fact that the Alcohol Bill is in everbody's interests in Scotland, for it to get passed.

OK that is enough on my diary today so until I post again.

Yours For Scotland
Larry

Why I prefer the Internet

I don't buy newspapers and have not since I have had the Internet for a few years. Anyway the Scottish media is biased against the present SNP minority Scottish Government. In other words newspapers like the Scotsman and Herald do not take Independence seriously enough.

So what do we do? Well there are plenty of interesting weblogs. You could also do no wrong by checking out the Newsnet website. As for the weblogs I have a list of recommended ones on my Scottish Republic weblog.

Furthermore as well as endless Scottish websites on the Internet I find the Forums a good source of information and opinions on news and Independence. There is Our Scotland. and the Scottish Republican Socialist Movement have their own web forum. I believe there are some choice of Scottish forums on the web. With most forums you can find out where the latest Scottish event is going to be held and organising it, so forums like social networking sites such as Facebook can be good ways to communicate also about the latest event and where to find it, time date venue, organisation etc...

Another interest I have is for Yahoo groups (also google groups exist) as a source of information or news and views. However the Yahoo groups vary somewhat, some are more interesting than others with a wee bit more debate included on a few.

Indeed I have got say that I use the Internet to not only debate but learn and communicate with others who usually have similar opinions to mine.

And finally I subscribe to the newsletter of Mediawatch at Mediawatch2010@aol.com prepared by SNP activists in the west of Scotland. I post copies of these to Forum for Scottish Democracy, on Yahoo groups. So click to join anyone of my Yahoo groups which are on my weblogs to click on.

Well that is my diary of thoughts today folks not much interesting in today's news.
Slainte
Larry

This weblog is Scottish Rebel

Anyone who has visited this site before will have noticed that I have changed the name to the Scottish Rebel. I am making changes to discuss more politics and I intend to post here more frequently. The design of the Blog has changed also to reflect my republican socialist beliefs. In April this year I joined the SNP for the second time in my life. I feel they are the only party that can deliver Independence most likely by way of an Independence Referendum. We are living in interesting times with a growth in Scottish culture since devolution. Everyone except the biased Scottish media seems to understand that Independence is a real possibility in our lifetime. What is certain is already there is more support for giving the Scottish Parliament more powers. Giving Holyrood full tax raising powers would better prepare us for Independence.

While I am writing here I will remind you I have joined Twitter as republicansoc. Indeed I am on a few sites from myspace to bebo to facebook. On these sites I am spreading the message of Independence and Republican Socialism. If you check my profile I post to four blogs. My most read webblog is probably Scottish Republic but I intend to post here more often and it will be different. Here I will write my views and opinions on a regular basis. Indeed a diary of my thoughts as I write about news and views. Scottish Rebel is my website to discuss both politics Scottish culture and my thinking in general not always political but mostly I prefer to write about politics. I like to write as if I am talking to you in my living room. Scottish Rebel is very much about me and my opinions so It is a we bit different to the format of Scottish Republic weblog but will be similar except I will spend more time writing my opinions on life and politics. Anyway I am off for a coffee so enough of writing on this post perhaps this can be my daily diary? I hope so we will have to wait and see.
Larry

Pipe and Slippers

Bought a pipe last week. Nice to relax with a coffee and pair of slippers. The pipe cost me &9.99 and I had to buy tobacco. Smoking like drinking is expensive. Indeed money does not go very far nowadays. Hard to avoid debts. Payday and once the bills are paid there are not much left. But I enjoy spending money and shopping. Whats the point of having money unless you are going to spend it while enjoying it at the same time. No matter how brief money stays in your pocket. And it is good to treat yourself like buy something different like a pipe. I can concentrate with a pipe and I feel mellow with it. All I got to do now is work out what is my favourite tobacco? A new pastime to relax with.

Thoughts in Export

The best way to start is to admit to writer's block. Why not despite a can of Carlsberg Export beside me and some music from my CD collection. This writing should be a labour of love and my first in a while. I have been reading which should expand the mind and capture my interest. Where is my imagination was it destroyed by prescription medication it is possible? Anyway I can always smoke, what about Amber Leaf to enhance the concentration while destroying the lungs lol. Well why not drink to kill the liver and smoke to do worse.

Anyway I am writing a regular diary from my home in Kirkcaldy and stop off at my girlfriend's house in Dundee. Tonight I am in Fife and never left the house today. No lazy and a few cans of beer. Tomorrow I will pick up my prescription for meds and feel fine. Or will I? The best I can hope for in Kirkcaldy considering my girlfriend thinks the town is boring. It's not if you order a Pizza and better than that dump Dundee with kids in the street and screaming women.

Today I am depressed because people die and I am thinking about Radio 1 DJ John Peel. Not to worry he is in a better place wish I was. Depression is harsh but not as bad as rock bottom. Been there got the t-shirt but never mind.

Well what can I tell you? I have long hair and am 13 stone so what? The world is round and I just spoke to my girlfriend on the telephone. Yes I do love her and why not?

Enough information for today.

See you.
Larry

My diary of thought

Well it is Saturday evening and I have managed to keep the living room relatively warm considering. The local council provided storage heaters in the rooms of my house sometime back but they are expensive as a source of heating in housing. The pre-payment electricity meters are a rip-off even though I like pay as you use rather than quarterly bills.

This blog I write will deal as much about my thoughts rather than mere opinions and political beliefs etc..I am christian which is interesting as most of my socialist colleagues in life are atheist. I do not attend church at present but my chosen one would be Methodist. I was baptised Church of Scotland but privately educated at a Catholic school. I never learnt much until I left school and embarked on college where I spent many hours reading rather than watching television. Nowadays, myself and others attention is distracted by the digital age. It is good to download podcasts and music onto my MP3 player which I carry outdoors with me or connect to speakers in the bedroom. Hopefully I will write more sometime in the future about my choice of podcast and what I like to listen to in the way of music, news, current affairs and football or entertainment.

Now this bog has begun also like a diary, but yes, of my thoughts and interests etc. Also I should write about observations in life it is a grand break from political thought and opinionated writings. However my thoughts do return to opinions and political belief systems but it is not always necessary for me to broadcast such here. This is my non-political blog but that does not mean I dare not utter the word socialist. I cannot and should not change what I am which is a republican socialist minded person. I cannot change me and I am content by that. I may not want to be like others after all.

Anyway I am going to leave it at that for now and perhaps produce much variety in what I write rather than long laboured posts all the time. I want to keep it simple and I will try to write here in the mornings, when I seem to write and think at my best.

Time for a milky coffee now!
Slainte
Larry