So far I have tried to steer clear of politics on my blog. Baking, for the most part, is about escaping and let’s face it the state of the country (which ever one you live in) is top of the list when it comes to that. Unless you really have opted out – and if you have I’d love to shake your hand – you can’t help but be aware that England is having its very own election showdown. Unlike Bush vs Gore this one does not involve Chads (to which we can all be thankful) but similarly involves uncertainty as to who exactly won.
Not being able to vote in this country means I can’t be blamed for it. This is worth mentioning because immigrant status in England means blame for pretty much everything. One advantage to not voting is never having to declare yourself a supporter of any particular party. This is even more pertinent now as none of the parties seem to be offering any real solutions to the country’s woes.
Quite a few people have joked in the last few days how well the country has managed to “rule” itself without any one person or party in power. Which I suppose isn’t too ironic considering the reason we are in this mess is lack of strong leadership. This got me thinking about what would make a good party leader. One the populous would support 100%. An effective manifesto that dealt with real every day issues might help.
So if I ran for party leader what would I stand for? Here are some random ideas I came up with (and when I say random, I mean random but I think you get the point):
- Smiling is compulsory. All the time. So that means no Botox of course. Bummer.
- Three day weekends, that’s a no brainer. Also if the sun’s shining that’s a perfectly legit reason not to go to work. It’s called a Sun Fun Day.
- As for real Sundays, well they are, once again, a day of rest. Not necessarily for religious purposes, if you are not so inclined, but simply for spending the day in the pursuit of relaxation. No more driving your kids to endless clubs at the crack of dawn, catching up on the week’s laundry or making your way through never-ending DIY tasks. Just hangin’. That’s all.
- All corporations who create large amounts of pointless packaging for their products should be responsible for recycling and not the innocent consumer who doesn’t want incessant bits of plastic anyway. That way we won’t face the shame of saying “whoops, I forgot” time after time when asked “do you have your own bags?” at the supermarket.
- No children of any age living in their parent’s home should be allowed TVs, DVD players, cable/satellite, iPod players, laptops/computers, x-boxes and the like in their bedrooms. Please people do you want your kids to interact with you? Remember good old fashioned family time? Conversations at dinner? Well, it isn’t going to happen if they’ve got a better place to go.
- Bring back chain-smoking. I’ve watched three series of MadMen and believe me when I say it’s just sooo cool. Okay, I know it CAN kill you but so CAN crossing the road and you don’t see anyone making a fuss about that.
- No means No. And not just for drugs and sex. Listen up kids it also means No when you want sweets between meals, to stay up after bed-time, a few more minutes on the Wii, leaving your homework until Sunday evening and more than one friend for a sleepover (etc, etc). Your parents are weary of coming up with reasons why and it’s driving them to distraction. So it’s simply No okay?
- Celebrities, with large bank accounts, are forbidden to ever “host” charity events where everyday civilians, with small bank accounts, are expected to do the donating. Instead, celebrities will be expected to do ALL charity work and with no audience of any kind (in particular photographers from tabloid magazines). In addition, celebrities can adopt children from third world countries but only if they promise never to tell anyone about it.
- Football players get paid what their worth. As do teachers and nurses. As does anyone who is employed doing something we really couldn’t live without. Yeah that’s right your salary is based on your worthiness. What a concept.
- While on the subject of Football players, in my world WAGs stands for Women Against Gross (facial reconstruction) and not Wives And Girlfriends.
- Racism, sexism, homophobia are wrong. We know they are wrong. So they aren’t allowed. People are people what ever their colour, gender or sexual persuasion and deserve to be loved. It’s not brain science is it?
- And lastly, the most important point to my political manifesto is: cake eating is mandatory and lots of it. Every single day.
So here’s something to get you started.
Quick Classic Berry Tart
This week over at Tuesdays with Dorie, Cooking with Christine picked Quick Classic Berry Tart from the Dorie Greenspan cookbook, Baking: From My Home To Yours. The recipe for which can be found over at Christine’s blog.
NB This post was inspired by Writing Workshop #23 – True Happiness and a Party Manifesto, Prompt Number 4. What’s YOUR party manifesto? Tell this government-in-chaos what you’d like to see on the parliamentary agenda.
I would comment more, but my mouth is full of cake. (I use my tongue to type okay?!)
My vote too! If only for the cake….
Oh wow, I like your manifesto….very strong points there. I especially like the 3 day weekends, free Sundays and eating cake! ;0)
Perfectly put, I’d vote for you for sure!
Brilliant! Absolutely love all of those but specially madmen reference. I love it, I would chain smoke again now if it didn’t make me feel queasy, it does look SO cool (ok wrong on many levels I know)
Why am I not surprised Don Drapper is featured in your manifesto! I bet he would be prominent in your cabinet. I would definitely be at the swearing in.
Mom you know me too well. He would most definitely be deputy of something!
Yes. yes. Smiling, weekends, sundays, salaries, smoking, charideeee schmoozing ban, compulsory cake, the lot!
Great manifesto, you have my vote. x
I like the concept of paying people what they are worth. Of course, it isn’t always easy to determine that. However, paying teachers more than football players is a no brainer.
Smoking?
Wow what a manifesto !!
Your tart is great by the way !
you should totally run on this platform! i’ll help you make cake and fruit tarts for all your campaign stops!
I agree with just about everything apart from the telly in bedroom stuff. Don’t know we’d do if Amy didn’t have a telly! It’s not that easy for some kids.
Great post.
CJ xx
A brilliant manifesto, and, if you’re wise, you’ll put a photo of that cake on your campaign poster. You’re bound to prevail, by public acclaim, in the current election impasse in spite of your second-class, foreigner status.
Oh you completely have my vote! I think I’m with you on everything! Especially the Sun Fun Days, and the cake…. obviously…
x
YES YES YES! Especially the celebrity “charidee” thing.
I would add: Childcare costs to be tax deductible. Tailgaters to be strung up. Free chocolate. Statutory right to decent telly programmes. People who can’t spell or punctuate to be barred from teaching profession.
(How about setting up a coalition?)
It’s you and me Karen all the way x
I’d vote for you in a flash! Your policies beat any other one I’ve heard off!
Touchdown! That’s a really cool way of pttiung it!
Brilliant. I love them all. Know what you mean about smoking. It’s bad for you. It stinks, but it really is a bit cool. Sssh don’t tell the kids!
I understand the need to escape politics through baking! Hear, hear! Your tart looks great!
You have my vote, in the mads too!!
I’d vote for you!! We have to vote on June 9th here in The Netherlands…
Your tart looks amazing, I loved this!
You’d get my vote! Gorgeous tart too!
I’m voting for you, and your tart too!
landslide victory
Thanks for baking with me. Your tart looks great!
I’d totally vote for you!
Liking your manifesto there. Not sure about the smoking – we’d have to strike a deal – although it did look very cool in Mad Men you’re right.
Ok I admit that was a bit cheeky! It’s seeing Don puffing away that gets me every time.
OMG… i agree with you on EVERYTHING. especially the no means no thing. My mother constantly says no to my son then gives in 2 secs later. argh!
You’ve got my vote!
Brilliant! You have my vote!