Do you mean that?

[Alan]

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Hi,

We're in the middle of a General Election campaign here in the UK and the three main parties are neck and neck! It's not exactly awesome but it is interesting! The problem is it's so difficult to know which party to support because there isn't a lot of difference between them. Here are my thoughts on the matter in my latest newsletter:

http://www.english-test.net/newsletter/do-you-mean-that-191.html

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Orcide]

sorry dear Alan despite the nice essay , i do not enjoy talking about politics topics

[Mosiiniut]

You know what!? The problem is that they, the politicians, come with a smile on their faces and ordinary people would just be conned by their gestures. I have an exactly similar experience in my life, Last year our presidential election ( in IRAN) was being held. Before the TV interviews our green candidate was the only one you would think would be the winner. But after the interviews, because he, Musavi, just couldn't LIE like the one holding the position now, Ahmadinejad, couldn't win the election.

[Boltje]

Dear Alan,
"Difficult to vote the right one", I am sure this is happend to everybody all over the world. You posted an article about interviewing of politicians. Huh, everybody writes the same story, the same thought...things like that... . I don't really interest listening to politics stuff, sorry Alan.

[Mansoor Alam]

DEAR ALAN.

i must thank you for writing on such an important topic. Politics is all about moral discrepancies and hypocrisy.

I think that all of us shall reconsider the idea of representation and election. I heard the other day of a candidate for National Assembly seat in Pakistan who would offer visas of Europe to those who would vote him and support him.

Only 10 % of the POLITICAL elite represent (misrepresent) 98% of the "dusky millions" in Asia , Africa , America and Europe.

[Victor]

Dear Alan, Thank you very much for such an interesting topic. Politicians, elections are the most turbulent period in the history of countries, especially for the latest emergent democracies like Romania. Last year we had presidential elections and the one who was the trickiest won them. By emotionally conning the people , by faking a real concern for the country's modernization he and his supporting pary are leading our country through one of the roughest economical crises in the last 20 years.How can people trust politicians any more?

[Feridestg]

Hello Alan. The essay is very interesting, however the part which got my interest was not the issue regarding the politics. I'm especially interested in what you mentioned at the end of your article. You write there about a character in Shakespeare's play and in this phrase "when he finds he can't really trick one particular person: Though I am not naturally honest, I am so sometimes by chance." I don't really understand one thing: - The man can't trick one particular person because he doesn't try to trick, meaning that he does not want to trick or he just can't because that particular person is smart? Actually I haven't read "Winter's Tale" but I got interested in it and would like to hear more about this tale. Thanks in advance.

[Pasban110]

Alan,
This is another amazing masterwork of your.

I liked the smiling part. I wonder how rude people can be by telling lies while smiling at you!

[Julian]

"The sort of pier I'm talking about is a bit like a long bridge stretching out into the sea from the beach and invariably it has a theatre at the end of it."

Is there then some term in British English that denotes this type of pier specifically, or do you always have to refer to it so circuitously? When I hear a reference to a pier, I assume that it is a large structure at which big ships may dock, called a pier because it is supported by large pillars called piers. I only understand that it is a place of entertainment when there is direct reference to this use.

[Meeruts]

Hi Alan,

I liked your topic. I know these politicians very well. I am from India, I know they are different before election and after elections. I like your phrase oil faces.

[Bhikkhu1991a]

Hello Alan Townend,

I enjoy reading your information provided in your newsletters. You really know how to express the realities of life that made me admire your pieces of writing. As a result, I hope that I will be able to fully understand all the sentence constructions as much as possible. Further, in this way I am sure it will boost my English proficiency in one way or another.

As a learner of English, of course, I do face problems that crop up. Take the first sentence of your newsletter-- “Do you mean that? (English essay 43)”:

When I was a student as did then and do students today, I used to get various jobs to supplement my grant during the vacations.

Could you please explain how the first part of the sentence works? For example, is there an ellipsis of "I" in “When I was a student as did I then and do students today, I used to get…”?

Many thanks.

Best wishes,
Bhikkhu1991a.

[Anmih]

The discussions of interest to debate are: economic situation, gaps between rich and poor, war in Iraq and its consequences on UK, education problem, limiting scolar taxes, social integration of migration, squandering public money(states-business companies preferred). The moral profile of the leader is mirror of our choice.
Thank you !
Mike

[Phan Thi Thu Minh]

Hi Alan,
Politic is a difficult topic. Although I read all the text which you sent me, I can't understand all the meaning( all words is not very difficult but when I translated into Vietnamese, it isn't smoothly). I only knew that you recomended the role of promise of candidates who prepared to be elected. Opportunities will increase with promises. And we are usually convinced by their speeches. There are some good candidates but they aren't elected because of their truth, they didn't promise alot about what they'll do in the future if they are elected. It's very unfair.
What is the relation between two pararaphs at the begining and others? I can't understand clearly. Could you explain again about the main meaning of the text?
My writing skill is bad. I try to describe what I want to say and I hope you can understand, help me to improve better. Each lesson you sent me is a motivation for me to study English and reply my thoughts.
Please correct me
Thanks so much.

[Alexandranow]

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Please listen to my recording and respond with a voice message too. Many thanks.

[Omana]

Dear Alan:

Good day.
Good article. This is politics. I never vote for winning party.
Omana