[Nick]

I've no problem with anyone making a living from being a politician but hell, are they REALLY worth it?

I mean, take a look at the salaries and what they actually achieve, and the expenses they all claim for... and what ACTUALLY gets done?

Want some examples?

Ok, the local Mayor here got elected on a promise of changing the dustbin collections from once a fortnight back to once a week. He was an independent. Once he had been elected he aligned himself with the Tories and then, when asked what he was doing about the bin collections, he said he had only promised to review the collections, not change them. He's now the subject of a vote of no confidence... but still, he's had two years of chauffeur driven Audis and all the usual benefits of a feted Mayor...

Want a national example?

Two Jags Prescott.

Or how about Peter Mandleson... in and out of government after one scandal or another.

Even the PM's wife was at it with dodgy flat deals.

Seems to me that these politicians and I mean ALL politicians from local council on up to parliament and even European Parliament have utterly forgotten or chosen to ignore the fact that they're there to serve the people.

And I strongly believe that we're not being served in any way by any of them.

If we were being listened to, I'd be able to walk down the street and not see the local park over-run with weeds.

If we were being listened to, we would never have followed America into Iraq.

If we were being listened to, PFIs running vital services such as school meals, school budgets, the NHS and other CRUCIAL public services would just not have been allowed.

If we were being listened to, companies supposedly supplying services to the public sector would be receiving massive pay-offs when they fail to deliver on time, to specification or, in the case of BT and the NHS computer system, at all... and our taxpaying money is used to pay-off these guys with enormous golden parachutes... for delivering nothing usable whatsoever.

So no, I really don't think it's a case of the system not being as broken as I think... it's a case of the system being more broken than YOU think.

Ok, how about a couple of REALLY pertinent questions, ones which I asked nad recieved a "don't know" answer from all three major party canvassers:

What are you intending to do about house prices for first time buyers?

When are you going to hand over true self government in Iraq and withdraw our troops?

Why did we invade Iraq?

If we have such a special relationship with America, why are you not demanding the trial of the American National Guard pilots who shot up and British column, killing our troops?

And finally, will you guarantee a return to once a week bin collections?

Seeing as no-one could give me even a hint of an answer that wasn't the usual politico bullcrap, I retained my vote.

And no, I don't want to run for any sort of office, I have a job already that I'm not willing to give up and I damn sure would not be able to stand working along the exact people I refused to vote for...