Logs to burn, Logs to rule

We have received our logs, and tomorrow they should be coming to start installing the new fire. Cousteau-cub kindly helped move them through to the back garden, and stack them in the log caddies. We were a little concerned at first that there would not be enough space... but by the time they were carefully stacked, the logs fitted nicely.

I've been thinking... You have to worry about our dear colonial cousins. They vote today. The choice is between a well-meaning man with the charisma of a log, and a very dangerous man with the apparent IQ of a log, and no comprehension whatsoever of the damage he wreaks on our World.

• Should terrorism be fought? - Absolutely.
• Should Saddam have been deposed? - Absolutely (and so should Mugabe)
• Did anyone believe the WMD claims? - possibly
• Did anyone believe the 45 minute claim? - not a chance; there was good coverage of this claim in the press long before the Governmants started to use it, and the analysis was clear - it posed no threat.
  
• Should anyone vote for a leader who either lies so blatantly to his country to meet his own agenda, or is too stupid to understand the information with which he is presented? - I hope not (but I suspect they will both here and in the US).

Is there anything quite as base or venal as politics?

• Anyone who wishes to run for office should be immediately stopped from doing so. Only people invited to run by their peers should be allowed to stand.
  
• Anyone who does a degree in political science should be forced to spend 25 years working in industry before entering politics.
  
• Lawyers should be barred from politics entirely - you cannot trust them.
  
• Political campaigns should be funded entirely from the public purse (no donations or sponsorship allowed) and the campaign limit should be set and audited at a sensible value (e.g $20M in US, £5M in UK). (Using the fund wisely is an example of the pecuniary dilligence we would want from our leaders)
  
• No TV advertising should be allowed, except to encourage people to use their vote.
• Personal attacks, or lies should warrant a yellow card. Two personal attacks should disqualify the candidate.
• Elected candidates who who fail to deliver on the policies they espouse, should be required to re-imburse the public purse a percentage of the campaign fee, from their own funds. (Exception is where the policy is debated openly in government and democratically rejected).
• All votes should be free votes.
• The Party whips should be illegal and unconstitutional
• Professional lobby groups should be outlawed.

Sorry... not sure what came over me there!