The sales pitch

I watched a new item today that really epitomises what's wrong with government today. Everyday we are sold the line that Government officials are all about serving us, the people who elect them. They baby sit the money of the taxpayer and ensure the services they pay for are provided.

The conditioning

In times of austerity (as we appear to have been in for the last decade in the UK), we need to tighten our belts, accept a sub-standard service, whilst government continues to bloat and collect the same or more taxes.

Or when there is a “government shutdown”, the public need to accept the closing and loss of much needed services.

The filibustering

Like in New Jersey this weekend. Governor Chris Christie ordered the shutdown of the State beaches (along with tourist attractions, state parks, recreational areas and historical sites). The shutdown came as a couple of elected servants bickered about how best to spend (or mis-spend) the people of New Jersey’s money.

The caveat

You'd be a fool to think the shutdown of the State beaches affected everyone. Silly you! The State beach was only closed to the public. Public servants, elected to serve the people, like Chris Christie was apparently immune to the shutdown of State beaches. So the 'servant' Christie and his friends and family still managed to lap up the sun whilst the taxpayers he served were shut out.

Fancy that, a ‘servant’ with his own personal fiefdom in the 21st century. How quaint.

The entitlement

As would befit a Feudal Lord, Christie was belligerent about his actions. First he ‘denied’ (read: lied) about sunbathing on the beach during the shutdown until photos emerged proving the opposite. When confronted with the pictures his spokesman, Brian Murray said,

"He didn't get any sun, he had his baseball cap on."

Complete piss take. That cap didn't stop the sun beating down on his gut I'm sure.

According to Christie,

“that’s just the way it goes, run for governor and you have a residence.”

Oh what a humble servant he is!

The outsider looking in...

Look, I live in the UK and know nothing about Christie's background or track-record or US politics in general. I do know a bit about the kind of characters modern day politics seems to attract at the highest level. There are a lot of Charlatans with illusions of grandeur. I'm not saying Christie is one, but his behaviour and attitude in this affair typifies that.

Sure his publicly funded residence is near a State beach. Sure it was a Sunday, obviously his day of rest. However if a private business was in crisis to the point of meltdown, those running it would be working around the clock until it was resolved. Sunday would be cancelled. They would have to work to fix the issue or lose their livelihood. There would be no option to relax on the beach. At the very least, they would need to be alive to the sensibilities of their customers and the people who put them in office. Yet somehow those in public office appear to be able to stick two fingers up to all that 'bollocks.'

The insider looking out...

One of the failings of modern democracy is that those elected are rarely held to account. The manifestos they are elected on, are barely used as a doorstop as they worm their way through the corridors of power from one self-interest to the next. The closer they come to the end of their term the less they care. Too many are looking out for themselves, to see what they can do after they leave office. Maybe, having seen the recent re-runs of the President's performances on WWE, Christie is auditioning to be a wrestling heel.

At least that's one role he would seem well suited for.