I'm aging, and over the decades have witnessed many general elections and have noticed a gradual decline in the "quality" of Western democracy. The 60's and 70's had their problems, but nothing like today. The way "democracy" is implemented has never been brilliant, but it has now sunk to new depths. I think the two governments who contributed most to social decline were the governments of Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair, and the spineless sycophants that have been in power since. We now have blatent corruption, perhaps at all governmental levels. The handling of the pandemic, the censorship and secrecy surrounding it and the yarns the public has been spun, indicate a government who don't care for the health of the nation but would rather persue vested interests. Why has the Covid Inquiry been shelved?
The rot appears to have infected governments across the Western world. The US political scene has little to offer other than rumour and scandal, and is so crazy that it defies description. As for Fuhrer Trudeau and his lackeys in Canada, what can one say? We've had Jacinda Ardern’s comments about her NZ government being the “single source of truth”. Er.... The Ministry of Truth!
Back in the UK we have the start of the General Election circus. My opinion of today's toadies is so low that I don't plan to vote. What a bunch of puppets! I would if there was a Reform candidate; they offer a ray of hope in this, the gloomiest of political skies. At least I don't live in Scotland and have to endure the SNP.
Over the last two or three decades, there has indeed been a massive shift in wealth towards the very affluent. We may be headed towards a modern, sanitised, version of feudalism or slavery for the general public.
I agree wholeheartedly that Western democracy today is an illusion. It would be great if a solution can be found outside the existing system, but I think the public lacks the will, even if they can see beyond the yarns they're fed.
So well-written, as ever! What a surprise to find the Rothschilds behind London's water supply.
What do you think about these videos from the English Constitutional Party, encouraging us to write "I do not consent" on the ballot, Alex? I'd be really interested to hear your thoughts. They do labour the "you should vote because lots of people suffered for suffrage" point, but I find their argument pretty convincing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pvlVE7-Rqs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OMwEWPVblk (This is interesting because they evidently believe the monarchy can be a good thing. The list of items we might want not to consent to also made me smile.)
"So, if you don't vote - if you're a passive spectator in the electoral process, rather than an active participant - you're doing exactly what the establishment wants you to do, which is precisely why not voting is the majority position. Just as it has always historically been."
Writing "I do not consent" is spoiling the ballot paper, so is one of the various responses I list towards the end of the essay. So, as I say there, voting can be meaningful, but in the current conditions it can't bring about any real change.
The real point I'm trying to make is that, when the democratic system has been hijacked, our power lies elsewhere: firstly in being able to see what's going on and secondly being able to act on that seeing.
Yes, I totally get the point you are making. You put it very well. Though if a majority wrote "I do not consent" (unlikely, I know...), would it still not change anything?
Yes, it might - see the part about the legitimacy of elections. The same would hold if a majority voted for minority candidates, or didn't vote at all.
As in personal relationships, there are many ways to say NO.
We can choose to walk away from a personal relationship, but can we so easily walk away from the system we live in? Would it make so much difference if a majority didn't vote at all? We already have that in council elections. It doesn't seem to challenge the system at all.
This is exactly the point I'm making - vote, or don't vote - it doesn't make the difference! So unless we want to become muppets permanently, we need to think outside the current system. I'll sign off here - I think I've said it as well as I can in the piece.
I'm aging, and over the decades have witnessed many general elections and have noticed a gradual decline in the "quality" of Western democracy. The 60's and 70's had their problems, but nothing like today. The way "democracy" is implemented has never been brilliant, but it has now sunk to new depths. I think the two governments who contributed most to social decline were the governments of Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair, and the spineless sycophants that have been in power since. We now have blatent corruption, perhaps at all governmental levels. The handling of the pandemic, the censorship and secrecy surrounding it and the yarns the public has been spun, indicate a government who don't care for the health of the nation but would rather persue vested interests. Why has the Covid Inquiry been shelved?
The rot appears to have infected governments across the Western world. The US political scene has little to offer other than rumour and scandal, and is so crazy that it defies description. As for Fuhrer Trudeau and his lackeys in Canada, what can one say? We've had Jacinda Ardern’s comments about her NZ government being the “single source of truth”. Er.... The Ministry of Truth!
Back in the UK we have the start of the General Election circus. My opinion of today's toadies is so low that I don't plan to vote. What a bunch of puppets! I would if there was a Reform candidate; they offer a ray of hope in this, the gloomiest of political skies. At least I don't live in Scotland and have to endure the SNP.
Over the last two or three decades, there has indeed been a massive shift in wealth towards the very affluent. We may be headed towards a modern, sanitised, version of feudalism or slavery for the general public.
I agree wholeheartedly that Western democracy today is an illusion. It would be great if a solution can be found outside the existing system, but I think the public lacks the will, even if they can see beyond the yarns they're fed.
You right in that this all depends on the will of the public which, ironically, is exactly what democracy is supposed to bring into physical form.
'Electile Dysfunction' ... Transrated flom originar Chinee Cookee Boy?
So well-written, as ever! What a surprise to find the Rothschilds behind London's water supply.
What do you think about these videos from the English Constitutional Party, encouraging us to write "I do not consent" on the ballot, Alex? I'd be really interested to hear your thoughts. They do labour the "you should vote because lots of people suffered for suffrage" point, but I find their argument pretty convincing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pvlVE7-Rqs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OMwEWPVblk (This is interesting because they evidently believe the monarchy can be a good thing. The list of items we might want not to consent to also made me smile.)
And I really liked this: https://miri.substack.com/p/play-the-game-or-the-game-plays-you
"So, if you don't vote - if you're a passive spectator in the electoral process, rather than an active participant - you're doing exactly what the establishment wants you to do, which is precisely why not voting is the majority position. Just as it has always historically been."
Writing "I do not consent" is spoiling the ballot paper, so is one of the various responses I list towards the end of the essay. So, as I say there, voting can be meaningful, but in the current conditions it can't bring about any real change.
The real point I'm trying to make is that, when the democratic system has been hijacked, our power lies elsewhere: firstly in being able to see what's going on and secondly being able to act on that seeing.
Yes, I totally get the point you are making. You put it very well. Though if a majority wrote "I do not consent" (unlikely, I know...), would it still not change anything?
Yes, it might - see the part about the legitimacy of elections. The same would hold if a majority voted for minority candidates, or didn't vote at all.
As in personal relationships, there are many ways to say NO.
We can choose to walk away from a personal relationship, but can we so easily walk away from the system we live in? Would it make so much difference if a majority didn't vote at all? We already have that in council elections. It doesn't seem to challenge the system at all.
This is exactly the point I'm making - vote, or don't vote - it doesn't make the difference! So unless we want to become muppets permanently, we need to think outside the current system. I'll sign off here - I think I've said it as well as I can in the piece.
"I do not consent"
That is my intended vote.