Who's best to fix the economy?

No idea. No, really. I'm not an economist, a business guru or a financial expert.

And the economists, business gurus and financial experts screwed up anyway. So it's anyone's guess who's best to fix the economy.

Except... unlike stocks and shares, can't we use past performance as a guide for the future?

Less than two years ago, the Labour government was telling us how brilliantly it had done
and the economists were telling us how everything was wonderful. And the Conservative party said nothing because it was raking in cash from speculators. So much for the "Official Opposition".

It's all very easy, after the event, to point out that the years of growth were an illusion, created by irresponsible lending. But none of the politicians pointed that out at the time, did they?

Er... except this guy. Since 2003. And his analysis of the situation is widely regarded as the best there is.

OK, he doesn't look like Brad Pitt. And his party the LibDems only got 22% of the vote at the last election, compared with 32% for the Conservatives.

But I know who I'd like to have clearing up this mess.

Police helping terrorists

Boing Boing reports on the case of the British man arrested under terrorism laws for photographing a sewer cover.

The main points here are:

• He was held in a police cell for two days, his home was searched, his computer was confiscated for analysis, his fingerprints and DNA were taken.
• There was no evidence he was photographing a sewer cover.
• He was freed without charge.
• Photographing a sewer cover is not against the law.
• His fingerprints and DNA remain stored, despite this being against the law.

This case illustrates how the police are helping terrorists:

1. By wasting resources like this, there are less resources available for genuine anti-terrorism operations.
2. By bringing the law into disrepute like this, the police are reducing levels of public support for legitimate anti-terrorism measures in the future.
3. By compromising the openness of our society like this, the police are letting the terrorists control the agenda.

Secrets and Truths

It's often said by those who take away a freedom from intrusion in exchange for the promise of some kind of protection that "Those that have nothing to hide should have nothing to fear." The current British government often says this in connection with ID cards, the DNA database, and the monitoring of phone calls and emails.

So when the current British government refuses to release the minutes of cabinet meetings in 2003 at which ministers discussed war with Iraq, we have to ask "What are they trying to hide?"

Are simple heuristics slogans?

• Don't let the bullies win: in government, in business, in international relations, wherever.
• Trust people to make their own decisions as much as possible.
• Don't ignore long-term costs: they can be harder to get right, but greener options might be huge cost-savers in 50 years time.
• Don't ignore long-term benefits: goodwill can lead to unexpected solutions.
• Devolve power: turn postcode lotteries into postcode choices.
• Help stakeholders and experts formulate policy.
• Tax what's bad, not what's good.
• Don't make the poor pay proportionately more for the State than the rich.

Political frames

This discussion at Liberal Democrat Voice is largely why I set up this blog.

In essence, to look for alternatives to the sterile shouting-matches between left and right, fairness and wealth-creation, authoritarianism and laissez-faire, proletariat and oligarchy etc.

Unfortunately the best I've come up with so far is:

• fairness without government bullying
• more libertarian than the other guys, but not so libertarian that we're loony

Redtop: Which party?

Redtop says:

• We needed Labour in 1997 because the Tories stopped thinking of the little people.
• But now Labour has become bossy, and it's time for a change.
• The Conservatives say they'll be better than Labour, but not how.
• The LibDems talk sense on the economy, Iraq, ID cards, green stuff and loads of little things. But no-one thinks they're going to run the country.

Redtop: Who should run Britain?

Redtop says:

• Firstly we want a government that puts the economy back on the right track.
• We also want better hospitals, schools and police.
• Listen to the scientists about climate change.
• And stop doing stupid stuf, like ID cards, Iraq, and speed cameras.