A Mzungu who loves Kenya

• So, why DO we pay more for diesel?

  Posted: July 8, 2008, 6:55 pm by Dad Mzungu

  Well, it is easy really. Not too long ago, the government encouraged people to buy the more expensive diesel cars, citing the fact that they are more fuel efficient and greener.

  When diesel cars became really popular, the government slapped more tax on it so that a litre of diesel is now £1.33 (and climbing), whereas petrol is £1.20. Clever government!

  Now, it is estimated that you have to do at least 40,000 miles a year to make owning a diesel car worthwhile.

  But it doesn't end there. The government offered free parking spaces to people who bought an electric car to commute to London. What happened? Commuters bought electric cars, and now the government has scrapped the scheme because it is costing them too much - and they have run out of parking spaces!

  Our government may not be corrupt (although nothing would surprise me), but they are totally unscrupulous - and inept.

• Recession looming for UK firms

  Posted: July 8, 2008, 1:36 pm by Dad Mzungu

  The "Experts"* have announced that the UK is heading for a recession! WOW! Like you need a degree to work that one out.

  With petrol and diesel (why do we pay more for diesel than petrol in the UK?) prices rising by about 1p a day, food prices are going up in proportion.

  Our fuel is heavily taxed - by percentage. So if the price at the refinery goes up, the taxes at the pump go up and the government rubs its collective hands as it trots off to the bank to deposit the increase. But a government spokesman tried to tell us that the government was actually losing money with the fuel price rise - I bet he didn't pass his maths GCSE.

  People don't have the money to spend, so high street shops, especially the independent ones are closing.

  Walk down any high street in any town, and you will see empty shops. It is depressing.

  The bottom has fallen out of the housing market and mortgages are very difficult to get since the debacle in the USA.

  And what does our esteemed Prime Minister suggest? Don't waste food. Don't throw food away! According to the government, we are throwing away £460 worth of food per household per year!

  Why? Because all food is date-stamped and people (some people) will no eat anything that is past its use-by date. It has been stated by many people, the food manufacturers for example, that these dates are artificial, to protect themselves, just in case someone is poisoned by their products.

  The UK Government has run out of ideas. Gordon Brown is trying to stay afloat in a tsunami. I wish him luck.

  Well no, actually I don't. In my personal opinion, the sooner he resigns or is forced out by his allies, the better.

  I am not saying that all the ills of the UK are a direct result of his management, but at least we in Britain would regain some of that 'feel-good' factor if he went.

  It will be interesting to see the outcome of the impending election in Glasgow. This is considered a Labour safe seat, but they are having difficulty getting anyone to represent them.

  Looking at their performance at recent elections, they will lose, probably to the SNP.

  But Gordon clings on to power like a demented despot, the only difference is that he doesn't have a Fifth Brigade to bully people into voting for him.

  And we have to wait two years before we can force him out - the Prime Minister we didn't elect.

  * Definition of Expert: Ex=has-been; spurt=drip under pressure

Blah blah blah

Fish cakes

Alas a fish cake.

Yet more fish cakes

Guess what ... yeah ... fish cakes.

The end of the fish cakes