September 2009

Dear All,

In 1989 many of us watched in amazement as the world order, that had seemed immoveable throughout our lives, shook as the communist states in Eastern Europe fell one by one. The images of thousands ofTrabant cars heading for the border between East and West Germany, the protesters atop the Berlin Wall, the crowds holding candles outside St Nicholas' church in Leipzig, the trial and execution of Ceacescu and the demonstrations in Wencelas Square are some of the strongest images from the 20th century: these were momentous events indeed.

Last year similarly momentous events occurred around the whole world unaccompanied however by popular protest. Rather, the all powerful financial market collapsed. Capitalism, the economic structure that has ruled the world unchallenged for the last 20 years (at least) was asked some severe questions and was found wanting. As we all know banks and building societies have collapsed; governments have reacted in emergency mode; multi billion dollar bail-outs have taken place with 'private companies' taken over by the State because they were deemed so large that they could not be
allowed to fail. Jobs have been lost, homes repossessed and factories and small businesses have closed - not just in this country but world wide. In hard times the wealthy [and contrary to your initial thought that means you and me when compared with the rest of the world) at least have some form of safety net to cushion their fall: so spare a thought for those on $1 a day or less. All of us however now have a 'notional' debt upon our backs that will one day have to be repaid: our common services [schools, hospitals, law and order) will carry the costs of this world wide failure.

Yet now we are told that 'bonuses are back' for those who got us into this mess. Neither the Bank of England nor the Financial Services Authority is willing to challenge the money men of the City. 'Light regulation' still seems to be the order of the day in the hope that greater financial freedom will kick-start the economy all the quicker. Has nothing at all been learned? Is it good enough for Christians to hope that we will return to 'business as usual' as soon as possible in the vacuous hope that we will be able once more to 'shop till we drop' - or might we dare to expect for more from those who lead us?
There will be an election in this country within the next year: I would like to offer my vote to those who can offer a vision of a different way of living - so far no one seems brave enough to articulate what we all know but dare not say: business as usual is not an option!