Spiralling down the plughole

..this government, at least.

It occurred to me this morning that the confluence of news stories often reveal so much more than the individual items.

Yesterday, one of the main news pieces told of the fact that in the years since 2001, the number of middle-aged first offenders in the criminal justice system has increased by almost 50%. Bad enough, and hardly surprising, given the petty and vindictive nature of many new laws and regulations this shower have introduced.

Then there was the other story, first aired a month ago, but which is now in force, about changes to the legal system such that motorists and many others who win their case in court will still have to pay the majority of court and legal costs. Again, looked at in isolation, it's bad enough, and seems grossly unfair.

Today, I heard on the radio news (I can't find an online link for this yet) that large numbers of serious offenders are being let off with a "slap on the wrist" or a caution, due to resource issues.

Often, these stories can seem to be contradictory.

Look at them all together..... and it seems to me that this government cannot afford to continue with the policies they've burdened us with. They've run out of money.

A minor example, perhaps, but it seemed interesting to me.