Around 400 people of all different ages joined in a march and rally against cuts being made by Manchester City Council. Spending cuts are being made to public services such as health and education, and there are also cuts to many public sector jobs, wages and pension schemes. Manchester Coalition against Cuts who organised the march from Oxford Road to Albert Square, say the cuts are a political choice to make the rich richer and the poor poorer. The government says the cuts are necessary in order to pay down the budget deficit which was left by the last government, and deal with the national debt.
First let’s look at the budget deficit. The government talks about this like it’s the same as you or me paying off a debt on a credit card, this simply isn’t true. When we spend less on food we simply save money. When the government spends less on the economy, it more often than not means it will receives less back in tax. So the overall effect could increase the deficit, not reduce it. This is especially true when cuts are being made to jobs, wages and public services, all of which empower people to contribute more to the economy.
When looking at the national debt, is must be understood that all money is debt. Since 1913 all new money that’s created has had to be borrowed from a centrally controlled private bank, with interest on it. This means there is always less money in the money supply than is owed to the banks. It also means that overall debt will always go up while we’re in such a system. So no amount of cuts and austerity will change this.
When looking at the national debt, is must be understood that all money is debt. Since 1913 all new money that’s created has had to be borrowed from a centrally controlled private bank, with interest on it. This means there is always less money in the money supply than is owed to the banks. It also means that overall debt will always go up while we’re in such a system. So no amount of cuts and austerity will change this.
It’s astonishing that so many highly educated, supposedly intelligent people can’t see these simple flaws in what they’re doing. Do these politicians really believe what they say, or are they just trying to fool people for their own interests? Austerity measures have an effect of making the rich richer and the poor poorer. This is as poorer people rely more on public services, and are hit proportionally harder by wage cuts and price increases. As poorer sections of society are less able to exert influence on the economy, those with more power and money can consolidate what they have. Is it a coincidence that the people imposing these measures are the one’s benefiting from them?
Organising a march to protest is one thing people can do. Supporting more ethical businesses is also a good tactic, as is exposing the lies and hypocrisy of this system using the internet and media. Anger or an ‘us and them’ mentality will never work, positivity and passion are much better.
Rather than simply creating more growth, I think we need to focus on transitioning to a system that cares for the environment, and treats everyone equally. We need to move away from profit and competition, and towards sustainability and compassion.
MA.
More photos from the march.
Organising a march to protest is one thing people can do. Supporting more ethical businesses is also a good tactic, as is exposing the lies and hypocrisy of this system using the internet and media. Anger or an ‘us and them’ mentality will never work, positivity and passion are much better.
Rather than simply creating more growth, I think we need to focus on transitioning to a system that cares for the environment, and treats everyone equally. We need to move away from profit and competition, and towards sustainability and compassion.
MA.
More photos from the march.