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Keynesian economics hits the House of Commons An MP gets drunk and goes berserk:
Was Eric Joyce MP perhaps trying to stimulate the economy? I found that link in this ancient posting here by Paul Marks.
Guido, where I found the above picture, is all over it, as you would expect.
I know, I know, all very regrettable. Not proper behaviour at all. But my immediate thoughts, when I first saw the Evening Standard front page headlines out in the London streets this afternoon, were: Would that all the rampages of the politicians did as little damage; and: If only, as here, they only tried to do damage to each other.
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I think I have a great idea for a TV show. Put lots of disagreeable people in a big building, where there are cameras everywhere, so everything they do is being seen, day and night. Let the viewers simply change rooms by putting in a room number, for instance- no controller to guide what you see. Call it Big Brother.
What would be really different about my version is that the building would be Parliament! People would have liked to have seen that window-breaking live, I bet! So why not have the place televised all the time, just in case? With a chat page, Real Big Brother would be a winner!
This is actually a bit of a sad story as it seems Mr Joyce is having some problems in his personal life, and has been drinking heavily of late. That in no way excuses what he did; unprovoked violence is always unacceptable. What is sad is that because of Mr Joyce’s background and upbringing he is unable to express his hurt and upset at what is happening in his personal life in any other way than getting drunk and lashing out violently. That working class, Scottish and army background is a horrible and emotionally constricting environment for men, but I doubt that many people will comment on it. Instead most people will (rightly) condem Mr Joyce for what he did, but instead of supporting him in finding an acceptable way to deal with his problems he likely to be mocked and further humiliated, making the problem worse. Mr Joyce should be punished for his violent actions, but I wish him the best in finding a better way to deal with his problems, and hope that he eventually overcomes them.
I love you. Here’s a Glasgow kiss.
Just had a run through the comments. God, I love English. I also love the English. Or sumfink.
What on earth is the “Army Education Corps”? Is this a joke?
My first reaction when I saw the Evening Standard headline was to hoot with laughter.
My second reaction was to reflect on how continental we must congratulate ourselves on becoming. Granted it’s not a punch up in the chamber itself, but I’ve a feeling I saw clapping recently on the green benches.
Perhaps Paul Krugman suggested it as a way to boost growth. The multiplier!!!
I think people will find that this sort of fracas was pretty standard stuff in the 18th century, when many members of the ruling class were in various states of inebriation. Pitt was a huge consumer of port, and nevertheless was able to function. MPs fought duels; Canning and Castlereagh, Wellington, etc.
This lot are a pretty tame bunch really.
The distance between the two front benches is two sword lengths, not feet and inches. It’s like that for a reason you know. 😉
Laird, back in the days of national service, (the draft), the Army was forced to take all comers. While most of the dross could be given jobs as bog cleaners, spud peelers and cannon fodder, there remained a minority who were useless at even the most menial tasks.
Thus, on the basis of “those who can, do; those who can’t do, teach and those who can’t teach teach teachers”, was born the Army Education Corps.
And in the best traditions of government everywhere, once statred it could never be stopped.
So they’re going on the ship with the telephone sanitizers, right?
But the real reason for the question is that Robert would have us feel sorry for Joyce because “army background is a horrible and emotionally constricting environment for men.” But it seems pretty clear that the “Army Education Corps” isn’t real Army, so I’m withholding my sympathy.
Back when I was in the Army I was in the band. Now that’s real military!
An interesting way to advance the cause of labour. Unfortunately, though, it’s all been done before, and always to the same effect.
Doubly unfortunately, historybooks may someday be written which speak of the “2012 Bar Room Riot” when labour struck a decisive blow against the corrupt representatives of capitalist greed.
Robert, it’s about the politician, not the person – there’s a difference, you know.
Quite so Brian.
Keynesian economics denies the truth of Bastiat’s “The fallacy of the broken window”.
So this Member of Parliament has done a noble thing – he has “stimulated the economy”.
His trial (and so on) will be yet more “stimulation”.
As spending more money (money created from nothing) either repairing damage, or conducting a trial (or doing anything at all – including, yes, digging holes and filling them in again) supposedly “stimuates” the economy via the “multiplyer effect”.
Such utter cretins dominate ecomomics departments (and the financial media) around the world.
Their doctrines are also taken as gospel by many leading businessmen.
For example, Erick Schmitt of “Google” believes in this stuff (and despises anyone who does not believe it).
By the way – I am not in a spelling mood.