I suspect if we took a broad sweep of the last 60+ years we'd say things have improved materialistically for many, we can never say for all. There will be advances in science and medicine. But working long hours, in many cases many of us no reason for having it longer have the time for our loved one's and sometimes we think that we can put that right by giving a gift of some kind instead of our attention.
We may have central heating and electric in all our homes but many of us are unable to afford to use it which defeats the idea of having it.
Of course times were tough and long hours were worked in the past and so its not necessarily a new problem but even I remember as I grew up we were promised a 40 hour or less working week, decent wages, earlier retirement and roughly you'd hopefully have a similar of time after you'd worked to do what you want to do and you could afford your retirement.
How has the country become worse? That's a difficult one, I think its more selfish than it used to be if looked at on a grand scale but when you actually talk to people on a one to one bases you realise that people do care. And many of us have similar concerns, for our loved ones, friends and their health.
Many of those that we do we hear in the media unfortunately are influenced by what they think they are hearing or because the media ignores a lot of the things that are happening and the genuine people who are suffering. Perhaps I am influenced but I suspect that I ask questions and don't take what I am told as gospel.
The other day the Telegraph or it might've been the Mail found an exceptional case where a family was getting a lot of help from the State so they were able to say look what they are being paid and they are not trying to do any work but within the rules of how long you can do voluntary work at least one member was working, the problem is a lack of jobs and one's that pay a living wage but then when a story like this is featured everyone is seen to be the same. And probably a lot of the information is missed, it becomes a sensational story.
It is then picked up by presenters doing phone-ins and it just snowballs and gets out of hand...and opinions are treated as fact. The media deals in big National events but often misses what life is like on a small scale for the individual. When they do those programmes that look back on the year that has just gone it will concentrate on disasters and celebrities.
You might ask why jobs pay such rubbish wages. I keep hearing that the average wage is £26,000 a year, I'm not sure what they are or where they are...I've never seen more than a few any where near that figure in the years I applied for work or looked at the vacancies being advertised.
The problem I can see with the survey this article refers to is that they have tried to tie it to the Queen and she has nothing to do with what society and politicians do, she is The Head Of State...a figure head but really no more than that!
The changes would still have happened even if she had not existed. Would they have been any worse had she not been there as a constant during difficult times, its difficult to say.
The same can probably said of most countries in the west especially and the austerity measures that have been brought in and most feel those who caused the problems are largely untouched, well if you already have more that's understandable, if you are already low down in the pecking order you'll be affected first.
Will I watch? I plan to but you know I may very well return to the radio coverage, I mean unless they are going to wait until dusk and have a massive firework display on Sunday we'll see boats going down the Thames but what are they going to do?
There is a concert on Monday I believe but again I can listen to the music...Really the celebration to commemorate the Queen's landmark boils down to those two events...Are the rest of you watching it? Especially if you live in the capital, will you follow it on tv or go to some event? Is it being looked at a bit with uninterest by the people of London a bit like the Olympics? As there seems to be some Royal event most years...
I know around here we've had notes put through the door suggesting there could be a kind of street party or an event in the local leisure centre but there doesn't seem much excitement and I think this survey suggests that few are planning on having an event to commemorate the occasion, the impression is that people will just have a get together with friends or family or go away for a few days and do their own thing! If the weather is good enough.
I keep hearing its a four day holiday and all kind of events are promised but I cannot see that much happening especially when we reach Tuesday and many are back at work by then...
Has The UK Changed For The Worst?
