IF I RULED THE WORLD – MARG HELGENBERGER
Evening Courier: The Voice of Halifax and Calderdale
March 22, 2005
What would be your first act as ruler?
“No more spin. I am so tired of the truth not being told. It’s so hard for me to look at the papers these days. I don’t know where to look to find something that’s not about the war or policy in the Middle East.”
Who would be your most trusted adviser?
“My husband, Alan. He talks a lot of sense. He’s a sensitive, passionate guy. Passionate about a lot of things and I think he’s very smart, very funny and he’s caring.”
Who would you banish?
“Anyone who thinks it’s okay to profit off other people’s misery. I think there’s a lot of corporations who are not at all benevolent. A lot of insurance companies, a lot of oil companies I don’t think are decent.”
Would you be a dictator or a benevolent leader?
“Oh now what do you think? I’d be benevolent.”
Who would you single out for a knighthood and why?
“Bruce Springsteen. I’m a fan but not a fanatical one. I think he’s a true American treasure. He’s a poet of the working class, he’s an incredible performer and a beautiful songwriter.”
Who would you send to the Tower or put in the stocks?
“That would have to be George ‘Dubyah’ Bush and the entire administration.”
Which law would you abolish?
“I may be going out on a limb here but I would make marijuana legal. I think it’s a lot less harmful than alcohol. I’ve never seen one person get violent on weed but a lot of people do on alcohol.”
What law would you introduce?
“Quality health care for everyone.”
Which building would you demolish and why?
“There are actually two in Los Angeles. The Shrine Auditorium where a lot of award shows are held. It’s just a pigsty. It needs to be torn down. And The Staples Centre I’m not too fond of. “ A lot of sport events and concerts are held there. The acoustics are just awful.”
Which ruler or monarch do you most admire or have most in common with?
“Abraham Lincoln. He came from very simple means and I think he was a circuit court judge and one of his quotes is something like if you just tell people the truth, the republic will be okay. He took risks, he abolished slavery and was a great leader.”
If you could change the national anthem for another piece of music, what would it be and why?
“Bob Marley’s One Love. It’s a really beautiful song and a simple message. You can’t help but feel better when you sing along to that.”