WELCOME TO THE DRAYTON BIRD BLOG - Commonsense about marketing, business and life

Leave now if easily shocked or politically correct. Otherwise, please leave your comments. Statements such as "brilliant", "hugely perceptive", "what a splendid man" and "can I buy you dinner at the restaurant of your choice" are all greeted with glee.

If you like, I'll e-mail you each new dollop of drivel when I publish it. Just click here to subscribe. If you want to succeed faster, get my 101 helpful marketing ideas, one every 3 days. People love them - maybe because they're free. Go to www.draytonbirdcommonsense.com and register. You also a get a free copy of the best marketing book ever written

Monday 22 February 2010

Is the grotesque Toad really a violent, unhinged bully who hits his staff?

It is about 15 years since I wrote a piece about The McFuhrer's true character, as revealed to me when he was still in opposition by a BBC chauffeur.

Now he has had to go on TV to deny that he has ever hit a member of his staff.

Three comments.

1. G. K. Menon, a wise Indian journalist friend told me back in 1961. "Never believe a rumour until it is denied."

2. If the allegations, published in a book, are untrue, why does he not sue for libel?

3. The ineptitude of Cameron at being unable to comprehensively destroy the reputation and standing of a man who has beggared this country almost defies belief. I imagine it is because he seems a bit of a weasel himself with his catchpenny schemes, dreamt up no doubt by his "publicity guru".

Speaking of which, it is worth passing on something you may already have seen - reminiscent of a sardonic quip by the late Senator Everett Dirksen in the '60's: "A billion here, a billion there - pretty soon it adds up to real money".

Like a lot of jokes, it comes from the U.S. And like a lot of sad truths, it applies equally here.

A billion is hard to comprehend, but an advertising agency put it in perspective in a press release.

A billion seconds ago it was 1959.

A billion minutes ago Jesus was alive.

A billion hours ago our ancestors were in the Stone Age.

A billion days ago no-one walked on two feet.

A billion pounds ago was only 13 hours and 12 minutes at the rate our government is spending it.

Building Permit Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog Licence Tax
Income Tax
Unemployment Tax
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Petrol/Diesel Tax
Hunting Licence Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
(tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Tax
Marriage Licence Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service charge Taxes
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax
Local Tax
Vehicle Licence Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Workers Compensation Tax

None of these taxes existed 100 years ago...

And our nation was one of the most prosperous in the world.

We had absolutely no national debt...


We had the largest middle class in the world...

And Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

What happened?

Can you spell 'politicians'?


As I say, that is an American example; but 1912 was the year when Britain was at its most prosperous; and I think we have even more taxes and witless regulations than in the U.S.

blog comments powered by Disqus