Bin Off AV

There are two things for me to discuss with you lovely people today. The first is politics and the second is me. The second is my favourite subject so we'll save that until last.

Okay so politics first. My last stab at a political rant saw me reprimanded by the blip police (and very fair to may I say) and saw me throw a bit of a strop for a week. This time I shall try not to mention anything offensive (I do mention the Nazi party in a negative way, but their leader isn't mentioned. Nick Griffin I think his name was... no?)

Tomorrow the country has the option of going to the polls for a referendum on the Alternative Vote system. I shall be voting no, like a good little Tory Boy eh Carrie? :)

Here's why:

Our democracy is built on one vote one person. The AV system will mean certain voters votes will count more than once. For instance a Monster Raving Loony Party vote will be counted, obviously dimissed and their second choice counted. However the straight out Tory / Labour voter will only be counted once. Why should people living in our democracy be entitled to that? One person: One vote.

Australia are the largest country to currently use the AV system and research shows that 6 in 10 voters would prefer our first past the post system. Why on earth would we want to swing towards an unpopular system?

AV wil mean more coalition governments, and although I'm not strictly against that it would mean more posturing between politicians. More unseen deals. Minor parties holding major sway. This brings economic instability for a short period of time (at best).

AV doesn't even mean a fairer share of the vote. Further research shows the outcome of 1979 and 1997 elections would not have been altered under the AV system: first past the post allows a country to speak for themselves, each persons voice heard on an equal level.

On October 11th 1931 the German people formed a coalition government consisting of the DNVP, Stahlhelm, and the Nazi Party. AV would lead to more coalitions within our own country. We know where it ended for Germany. We don't know where it could lead in the modern world.

Vote No. Make your voice count.

Right now thats done lets deal with the big issue of the day. Me. It would appear yesterday I went back into one of those self pitying states that occasionally I find myself in. I do have something to blame though (as ever): Zoplicone withdrawal. Since my incidient I have been utilising prescription drugs to aid my sleeping, but decided last Wednesday that the way forward was to bin off the sleeping pills. That has led to irregular sleep patterns (and by Sunday zero sleep really all night) as well as anxiousness, and (apparently) becoming a proper self indulgent muppet. That's over now as I have done my 'cold turkey' and am now returning to sleeping unaided (I say unaided, six Carlsbergs and a couple of Tesco Nightols. Not sure thats good either as it says 'dont take if depressed' and 'dont mix with alcohol' but we all know those warnings are bullshit. Right?).

Got the big 200 coming up on Friday. The 201 could see my team relegated out of the football league as its a relegation clash with Aldershot. Win and we stay up. Anything other than a win mixed with Barnet beating Port Vale and we are down facing the likes of Ebsfleet (not even a real place), Alfreton (not sure if its a real place, but if it is I bet its a shit hole) and Grimsby (which means a disinfectant bath afterwards and quaratine for a week).

Fingers crossed for us.

Up the Imps.

Thanks to Delicate Chains and tadpole for their unending support away from the site. Two people I've never met who continue to really be there.

(there are others and you know who you are, but I'm thinking last 24 hours. Good people all of you)

I did back blip as well for Friday.