Money-Pit

A public spending money-pit is sticky, like the La Brea tar pits, … and you don’t get change. What about the recent (2020) Big Ben repairs? Imagine, the cost doubles to £61M in 2017 and we hear hushed words explaining that a “better understanding” of the situation (after the fact) is the reason the costs doubled. (NOTE: February 2020 – costs increase a further 30% – and they say they are learning lessons again).

‘History repeats itself because no one was paying attention the first time.’ Anon

Money-pit errors happen over the years … Aircraft carriers, the UK Olympics, UK Ministry of Defence overspends, fraud and error, concealed and almost concealed, IT screw-ups, charging for services never delivered. Above all, this means there’s a vast wad of misspent money, never mind the crazy and over budget espousal of HS2 (UK High Speed Train) and its escalating costs. As a result, Has enough cash been frittered away, between them all, to cut the retirement age by a couple of decades. And that’s before we recover money from Fraud and Error.

Saving pensions and angry mentions

The other day, a pal on social media got into hot water and a bit of snash (Scottish word for nippy conflict) over suggesting the government keeps people working to save pensions money, social benefits spending, and so on. It’s going to keep happening if government money-pits keep swallowing our cash.

Uncontrolled expenditure – money-pit rules

I smile because the spat was separate from the factors that created the battlefield. So splendidly human… arguing about whether employing firefighters of 60+ is sensible, with some political rage thrown in. Not to mention the feelings of an about-to-be-rescued person seeing a white-haired grandparent coming up a ladder to save them.

What about me?

I’m a member of the 65+ brigade. So far I’m thankful for my health and *some* fitness.
The heat (ar! ar!) generated by my fireman friend raises questions like:

• Why are we angry with government incompetence and ineptitude?
• Do we citizens allow money-pit situations?
• How might we (better) use the energy of our anger?
• Can we apply it to demand and secure change for the better?

The harsh present and bleak future we curse and moan about is something we can fix … if we’ve a mind to. There’s little point in simply being angry. In fact, doing nothing enforces the way things are and the money-pit keeps sucking resources.

• Which of political leaders or parties inspire your confidence?
• How will more of the same benefit our children and grandchildren?

Tom Lehrer said “Life is like a sewer — what you get out of it depends on what you put into it…”
Am I alone in my concerns about money-pits? We are where we are. What are we going to do about it?

© Mac Logan