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October 20, 2006
Goods and Services
A journalist yesterday asked me if my work on the public library service is a Campaign.
I have long felt uncomfortable with that word in this context and I suddenly realised why. When you have paid a lot of money for something you don't campaign to receive the goods and services for which the money has changed hands. When you pay the plumber to clear the drains you don't have to campaign to get him, thence, to do the job-- hie is contracted to do it.
We don't have to campaign for libraries-- we have paid for them-- those who supply them are contractually bound to provide them. They have made a contract and my role in this dismal saga is to point out that we do not get the goods and services for which we have handed over our earned income. That's not a campaign, it is matter of enforcement of the oldest of Anglo saxon laws.
Posted by Tim Coates at October 20, 2006 10:09 AM
Comments
This makes sense. But if not a Campaign, surely it is a Movement? Or a Protest? When do we take to the streets?
Posted by: Karen Christensen at October 20, 2006 9:38 PM
Doesn't taking your clothes off in Kingsteignton count as a campaign or a protest or a demonstration? It's is happening!
Phil
Posted by: Philip Kerridge at October 21, 2006 1:56 PM