Poodles and Power

Does anyone really believe that voting will make a difference to their lives? Let me rephrase that. Does anyone believe that voting will make a positive difference to their lives? Here is a simple questionnaire for you: Are you one of the elderly? Are you suffering a debilitating illness? Are you a single parent? Are you a carer? Are you a struggling small business owner? Are you a small child starting out in education? If you answered yes to any of the above then you are in big trouble whoever wins the election. I would go so far as to say that it doesn't make a blind bit of difference who you voted for, you are stuffed. No matter how much these liars, cheats and thieves want to engage you in politics. No matter how often they point the finger of shame at anyone falling into these somewhat ordinary categories of life. No matter what you think you believe in. IT IS A LIE! For the whole of my life I have seen nothing but the stripping away of our communities, our identities, our culture and our history. There is a phrase for this, which is much used by those who have really studied the politics of greed. It is called 'Subtractive Education." Why would anyone call it subtractive education when we are talking about politics? The reason is simple and clear. Politics and education have become inseparable. Why else would successive governments resist handing the running of education over to education experts, teachers, heads, parents? Politicians understand that we have short term memories and that all the bad news ends up as chip paper. They can weather any storm no matter how dirty or disgusting that is. They can literally get away with murder. Those who want to continue with this archaic system we call democracy would have you believe that not voting is just not cricket. They would brand people like Brandt as traitors, scaremongers, weak, anti capitalist and every other cliche, which suits. They are the masters of deflective rhetoric. Is there an answer? Are there any alternatives? Yes there are. We need to focus on the hyper local. We need to ensure those at the very bottom of this pyramid structure are the best human beings we can get to represent us. They in turn must ensure those they place above them are of the same quality. Slowly but surely this elite sect at the top of the pyramid would become answerable and exposed. We know they have absolutely no backbone and no appetite for the truth. What we would see is their speedy exit back to the excesses of filth, lies and easy money they have existed on outside of politics. I am not saying DON'T VOTE. I am saying that voting for any of these people at present is akin to signing the death warrant for you, your family and your community. Voting once every four or five years is sometimes seen as the heralding of a new dawn, a change, a time for hope in the belief that your own political party will honour its values and principles. Take a look around. Nothing could be further from the truth. If you really want to make a difference, find one or two good men and women from your community and put them forward. Ensure they are answerable, accountable and provide the best possible representation for you and your community. If they fall short, make sure you have a system in place whereby you can get rid of them. We need to start treating politicians like candidates for guarding the family jewels. Only then can we say that the people we are voting for are known to us, trusted by us and valued by us.