Genealogy Chat

Dear Mr Dickens,

I write to you from the year 2012 to advise you of developments since you last wrote your powerful novels that so skilfully highlighted the need for great social changes in your day. I would be interested in your view of 21st century society and how it compares to the 19th.

We now have a gigantic banking system that can rival the power of governments but is riven with corruption and greed. Our media has grown out of all proportion and yet shows no respect for civil liberties or fundamental privacy.

The workhouse has long disappeared and the scale of poverty has diminished to an astonishing degree. It has been replaced by a system of benefits that is so large and unwieldy that no control can be exercised on those that wish to exploit it. The incentive to work is fast disappearing and we now have a workforce that funds the lifestyle of spongers while the truly deserving struggle to justify their requests for help.

The British empire has long gone and been replaced by a European economy so top-heavy with beaurocracy that nations now sponge upon nations in much the same way that individuals sponge upon the benefit system. We have a commonwealth that holds absolutely no relevance to the man in the street but exists solely to enhance the status of the monarchy.

Mr Dickens, if you could pen a novel now, you would find such inspiration.

Regards,

Paul Barton

I would love to be able to read his reply - it would be such an interesting read I'm sure!!

Kath. x