Monarchy, Hero Worship and the Rich (murders just live in a different world)

[Guest guest]

Laura/Angie - just had to add my support to your arguments.

 

Where does all the money go that the monarchy is supposed to bring to

this country? I suspect to private companies (hotels, restaurants,

various attractions etc), who in return give us low-paid unskilled

jobs. I think london would be a better place if there weren't so many

people and you didn't have to fight for every inch of space on public

transport, could walk around unhindered and actually buy tickets for

various events. So maybe less tourists would be good. But getting rid

of the monarchy might not even have that much effect on the tourist

trade, since there would still be all the sights etc for people to

see.

 

I'm glad I'm not the only one to be appalled by the amount of hero

worship that celebrities enjoy in the UK these days. I've got no

problem in people admiring others who are good at what they do, but

these people seem to take it to the extreme and hang off every word

and action. And unfortunately in most cases the heros are actually

pretty ordinary and, dare I say, even stupid outside of their chosen

field. So what we get are media-hyped inane stories worthy of a low-

brow soap opera, and hear about some stars latest excesses. Even

worse is that becoming a celebrity is now a goal rather than a side-

effect. For example look at the various contemporary artists who

achieve notoriety with their image/attitude when their art itself is

arguably crap (and nowadays is even created by their

paid " assistants " , rather than the artist themself!). Popstars are

even worse, not even able to play an instrument. And whats really

scary is that we seem to be following the US (sorry guys!) trend with

nearly everyone thinking they can " make it " into this celebrity

world. Instead of rewarding people who do some kind of good in

society, people seem to want to follow these celebs, who, lets face

it, their only purpose is to take money from the masses and funnel it

into their own or some company's coffers. I just wish that someone

with a mass following would say something meaningful for once -

something about the various injustices in the world (lets face it

there are lots to choose from), rather than promoting some corporate

sponsor's latest product.

 

So onto the rich! Well, here we are creating new millionaires every

week through the lottery etc, and what do they do? They buy a house

that is too big, a fleet of cars that are too fast and wasteful and

all the other trappings etc. Extreme materialism seems to be our only

aim. Where are the people with a social conscience, sense of

community etc? Where are the great philanthropists? I'm unfortunate

enough to have worked in various city companies, for people who have

been paid (I almost said earned, but that would be wrong) million

pound salaries and multimillion pound bonuses. And what do they do?

Buy ferraris and £50k watches. If I had £1m I would try to become

self sufficient, with a house (not too big!) and land and with the

rest I would promote the causes I feel passionate about (socio-enviro-

vegan causes). Maybe thats the problem - maybe these rich people

don't have anything they really feel passionate about, apart from the

pursuit of their own selfish happiness, probably influenced by their

so-called celebrity role models described above. They just seem to

think that the world is only there for them to use without a second

thought. Mind you this behaviour is not confined to the rich - I

think the majority of people never think deeply about or question

their own actions.

 

OK, this is getting too long, but just one more rant about property.

I can't afford to buy a property in London so I rent. But the kind of

people I've worked with, who already own property in London, use

their large income to buy more property to rent to people like me,

often off-plan before its built. The problem is they are artificially

boosting the market and pushing up the price of the property, so that

people like me can't afford it and so have to rent, which in turn

creates the overpriced market for more overpaid people to invest. I

don't really have a problem with people making profit from their

shrewd investment in property, but these people are using their high

income to suppress people like me from being able to buy, and instead

of property being sold to people who would make a family home, it

just becomes another investment vehicle. They're keeping people like

me in form being able to buy and then taking advantage of of the

situation. Now my landlord is not so bad - he built the building I

live in himself, of about 5 flats and also lives in one himself. My

rent has not gone up in over 7 years. But my sister's landlord has

over 90 properties in London, and charges what he calls " market

rates " and what I call extortion. He also puts his rents up

regularly, which further disadvantages his tenants who are most

likely trying to save up a deposit so they can try to compete in the

sale of an overpriced property with people like him who have a few

million spare to invest in their next property. Its another vicious

circle, or maybe spiral is a better word. Now I don't know about all

the issues, this is just something that came into my head when I read

yet another article advising people to " buy-to-let " . Maybe someone

could argue that we shouldn't own property and should follow the

model on the continent where renting is the majority. But owning

outright the place you live must give you a certain amount of

security and freedom (I would probably stop work and do something

more worthwhile .

 

Anyway enough! Sorry this was so long. If I was talking rubbish,

blame sleep deprivation, since its 5am!

 

---

Rantin' Rob " no sleep 'till justice! "

[Guest guest]

Rob, this was an excellent message. I think you have really hit these

issues on the head. I concurred with most of what you said and I even read

your message out to my 100% meat eater husband who was very interested.

 

Jane

 

 

-

" spacevegan " <rob

<vegan-network >

Sunday, April 29, 2001 5:24 AM

Monarchy, Hero Worship and the Rich (Re: murders

just live in a different world)

 

 

Laura/Angie - just had to add my support to your arguments.

 

Where does all the money go that the monarchy is supposed to bring to

this country? I suspect to private companies (hotels, restaurants,

various attractions etc), who in return give us low-paid unskilled

jobs. I think london would be a better place if there weren't so many

people and you didn't have to fight for every inch of space on public

transport, could walk around unhindered and actually buy tickets for

various events. So maybe less tourists would be good. But getting rid

of the monarchy might not even have that much effect on the tourist

trade, since there would still be all the sights etc for people to

see.

 

I'm glad I'm not the only one to be appalled by the amount of hero

worship that celebrities enjoy in the UK these days. I've got no

problem in people admiring others who are good at what they do, but

these people seem to take it to the extreme and hang off every word

and action. And unfortunately in most cases the heros are actually

pretty ordinary and, dare I say, even stupid outside of their chosen

field. So what we get are media-hyped inane stories worthy of a low-

brow soap opera, and hear about some stars latest excesses. Even

worse is that becoming a celebrity is now a goal rather than a side-

effect. For example look at the various contemporary artists who

achieve notoriety with their image/attitude when their art itself is

arguably crap (and nowadays is even created by their

paid " assistants " , rather than the artist themself!). Popstars are

even worse, not even able to play an instrument. And whats really

scary is that we seem to be following the US (sorry guys!) trend with

nearly everyone thinking they can " make it " into this celebrity

world. Instead of rewarding people who do some kind of good in

society, people seem to want to follow these celebs, who, lets face

it, their only purpose is to take money from the masses and funnel it

into their own or some company's coffers. I just wish that someone

with a mass following would say something meaningful for once -

something about the various injustices in the world (lets face it

there are lots to choose from), rather than promoting some corporate

sponsor's latest product.

 

So onto the rich! Well, here we are creating new millionaires every

week through the lottery etc, and what do they do? They buy a house

that is too big, a fleet of cars that are too fast and wasteful and

all the other trappings etc. Extreme materialism seems to be our only

aim. Where are the people with a social conscience, sense of

community etc? Where are the great philanthropists? I'm unfortunate

enough to have worked in various city companies, for people who have

been paid (I almost said earned, but that would be wrong) million

pound salaries and multimillion pound bonuses. And what do they do?

Buy ferraris and £50k watches. If I had £1m I would try to become

self sufficient, with a house (not too big!) and land and with the

rest I would promote the causes I feel passionate about (socio-enviro-

vegan causes). Maybe thats the problem - maybe these rich people

don't have anything they really feel passionate about, apart from the

pursuit of their own selfish happiness, probably influenced by their

so-called celebrity role models described above. They just seem to

think that the world is only there for them to use without a second

thought. Mind you this behaviour is not confined to the rich - I

think the majority of people never think deeply about or question

their own actions.

 

OK, this is getting too long, but just one more rant about property.

I can't afford to buy a property in London so I rent. But the kind of

people I've worked with, who already own property in London, use

their large income to buy more property to rent to people like me,

often off-plan before its built. The problem is they are artificially

boosting the market and pushing up the price of the property, so that

people like me can't afford it and so have to rent, which in turn

creates the overpriced market for more overpaid people to invest. I

don't really have a problem with people making profit from their

shrewd investment in property, but these people are using their high

income to suppress people like me from being able to buy, and instead

of property being sold to people who would make a family home, it

just becomes another investment vehicle. They're keeping people like

me in form being able to buy and then taking advantage of of the

situation. Now my landlord is not so bad - he built the building I

live in himself, of about 5 flats and also lives in one himself. My

rent has not gone up in over 7 years. But my sister's landlord has

over 90 properties in London, and charges what he calls " market

rates " and what I call extortion. He also puts his rents up

regularly, which further disadvantages his tenants who are most

likely trying to save up a deposit so they can try to compete in the

sale of an overpriced property with people like him who have a few

million spare to invest in their next property. Its another vicious

circle, or maybe spiral is a better word. Now I don't know about all

the issues, this is just something that came into my head when I read

yet another article advising people to " buy-to-let " . Maybe someone

could argue that we shouldn't own property and should follow the

model on the continent where renting is the majority. But owning

outright the place you live must give you a certain amount of

security and freedom (I would probably stop work and do something

more worthwhile .

 

Anyway enough! Sorry this was so long. If I was talking rubbish,

blame sleep deprivation, since its 5am!

 

---

Rantin' Rob " no sleep 'till justice! "

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

brilliantly written space vegan.I'm all for respecting the Mother Teresa's

of this world but not celebs.I agree with all you said but don't know about

London housing problems although I've heard of bullying landlords who often

terrorise their tenants and get away with it!!!Angie

-

" spacevegan " <rob

<vegan-network >

Sunday, April 29, 2001 5:24 AM

Monarchy, Hero Worship and the Rich (Re: murders

just live in a different world)

 

 

Laura/Angie - just had to add my support to your arguments.

 

Where does all the money go that the monarchy is supposed to bring to

this country? I suspect to private companies (hotels, restaurants,

various attractions etc), who in return give us low-paid unskilled

jobs. I think london would be a better place if there weren't so many

people and you didn't have to fight for every inch of space on public

transport, could walk around unhindered and actually buy tickets for

various events. So maybe less tourists would be good. But getting rid

of the monarchy might not even have that much effect on the tourist

trade, since there would still be all the sights etc for people to

see.

 

I'm glad I'm not the only one to be appalled by the amount of hero

worship that celebrities enjoy in the UK these days. I've got no

problem in people admiring others who are good at what they do, but

these people seem to take it to the extreme and hang off every word

and action. And unfortunately in most cases the heros are actually

pretty ordinary and, dare I say, even stupid outside of their chosen

field. So what we get are media-hyped inane stories worthy of a low-

brow soap opera, and hear about some stars latest excesses. Even

worse is that becoming a celebrity is now a goal rather than a side-

effect. For example look at the various contemporary artists who

achieve notoriety with their image/attitude when their art itself is

arguably crap (and nowadays is even created by their

paid " assistants " , rather than the artist themself!). Popstars are

even worse, not even able to play an instrument. And whats really

scary is that we seem to be following the US (sorry guys!) trend with

nearly everyone thinking they can " make it " into this celebrity

world. Instead of rewarding people who do some kind of good in

society, people seem to want to follow these celebs, who, lets face

it, their only purpose is to take money from the masses and funnel it

into their own or some company's coffers. I just wish that someone

with a mass following would say something meaningful for once -

something about the various injustices in the world (lets face it

there are lots to choose from), rather than promoting some corporate

sponsor's latest product.

 

So onto the rich! Well, here we are creating new millionaires every

week through the lottery etc, and what do they do? They buy a house

that is too big, a fleet of cars that are too fast and wasteful and

all the other trappings etc. Extreme materialism seems to be our only

aim. Where are the people with a social conscience, sense of

community etc? Where are the great philanthropists? I'm unfortunate

enough to have worked in various city companies, for people who have

been paid (I almost said earned, but that would be wrong) million

pound salaries and multimillion pound bonuses. And what do they do?

Buy ferraris and £50k watches. If I had £1m I would try to become

self sufficient, with a house (not too big!) and land and with the

rest I would promote the causes I feel passionate about (socio-enviro-

vegan causes). Maybe thats the problem - maybe these rich people

don't have anything they really feel passionate about, apart from the

pursuit of their own selfish happiness, probably influenced by their

so-called celebrity role models described above. They just seem to

think that the world is only there for them to use without a second

thought. Mind you this behaviour is not confined to the rich - I

think the majority of people never think deeply about or question

their own actions.

 

OK, this is getting too long, but just one more rant about property.

I can't afford to buy a property in London so I rent. But the kind of

people I've worked with, who already own property in London, use

their large income to buy more property to rent to people like me,

often off-plan before its built. The problem is they are artificially

boosting the market and pushing up the price of the property, so that

people like me can't afford it and so have to rent, which in turn

creates the overpriced market for more overpaid people to invest. I

don't really have a problem with people making profit from their

shrewd investment in property, but these people are using their high

income to suppress people like me from being able to buy, and instead

of property being sold to people who would make a family home, it

just becomes another investment vehicle. They're keeping people like

me in form being able to buy and then taking advantage of of the

situation. Now my landlord is not so bad - he built the building I

live in himself, of about 5 flats and also lives in one himself. My

rent has not gone up in over 7 years. But my sister's landlord has

over 90 properties in London, and charges what he calls " market

rates " and what I call extortion. He also puts his rents up

regularly, which further disadvantages his tenants who are most

likely trying to save up a deposit so they can try to compete in the

sale of an overpriced property with people like him who have a few

million spare to invest in their next property. Its another vicious

circle, or maybe spiral is a better word. Now I don't know about all

the issues, this is just something that came into my head when I read

yet another article advising people to " buy-to-let " . Maybe someone

could argue that we shouldn't own property and should follow the

model on the continent where renting is the majority. But owning

outright the place you live must give you a certain amount of

security and freedom (I would probably stop work and do something

more worthwhile .

 

Anyway enough! Sorry this was so long. If I was talking rubbish,

blame sleep deprivation, since its 5am!

 

---

Rantin' Rob " no sleep 'till justice! "