I sent this to our local newspaper a couple of weeks ago, but they did not publish it. I think it asks a few relevent questions. Does anyone else?
Regards George.
Quote:
Freedom of Information.
Dear Editor,
A few days ago, our old faithful drier gave the first bit of trouble of its long life.
After a few minutes of operation it started to switch itself off. As I was trained in Radar, Mainframe Computers and a host of other high tech equipment, this sort of occurrence is not a big worry to me, or normally a problem. I can fix almost anything.
A quick look round revealed a simple circuit containing only a few devices and - rather than trial and error which often takes longer, I looked for a bit of advice. After looking on their website for a wiring diagram and troubleshooting guide and finding little of any real use, I asked to speak to their Technical Support and was in turn asked if I wanted to report a fault. No, I just wanted to talk to an Engineer for a minute and download a wiring diagram.
A fairly long silence ensued, then a polite young lady tried to tell me that if I wished to carry out my own repairs they were not allowed to help me in any way, "because of Health and Safety Regulations"! I argued, of course, but she said she would get the sack if she helped.
I was horrified with this response. This has profound implications. Does it mean that now I do not have the right to even attempt to fix my own things in my own home? Do I have to ask for an Engineer to pay a call, to tell me that it can no longer be supported, charging an astronomical price to get me to buy a new drier? What about the wonderful Freedom of Information Act? What about my Human Right to mend my own property, to preserve my meager savings? Have these suddenly been withdrawn? Does it mean it is against the law to even try such a thing?
This Nanny State attitude and all the new regulations about just about everything, is starting to get on my wick. I am being slowly criminalized by regulations - about which, I can no longer keep up to date, of which, I cannot see the point, or that are so costly or intrusive that I am very reluctant to adhere to them. I will not say that I will not obey them because, as I am now guilty until proven innocent, I would probably be arrested and put away by our poor overworked, underpaid, understaffed and probably demoralized, Boys in Blue, who have to try and enforce all these stupid new rules. Has this Government never heard that Regulations and new Laws, which are so easy to write in a comfortable, well-paid seat in Whitehall are not actually of much interest at all to real criminals, and to a large extent are ignored by the general population. Have they never heard of the advantages of the carrot over the stick? Overcrowded prisons; I wonder why!
Sorry to go on about this. Oh yes, I fixed the drier, it was diagnosed with no help whatsoever from the makers and a new relay from Maplin - (designed no doubt for a much higher tech machine than a humble drier, but priced at only just over three pounds), will give it a new lease of life for another five years. It was full of fluff and needed a cleanout anyway. A bit like the government really.
G. Bell.