When I started this blog, it was primarily as a vent for the anger that built up whilst watching the potential for good being squandered by, at best, buffoons, and at worst amoral despots.
Anger is tiring. And I am tired. And although the anger is still there, it sits alongside a cold, hardening state of sadness. Sadness at what potential has been lost, what might have been, if only…..
It would be comforting to approach it all with a naive hope that all will be well, there is a simple solution, tomorrow is a new day.
And I try, but five minutes in and all of the arguments, grudges, feuds, mindless hatred and ignorance spill in. Another day certainly, but nothing new.
I see the small, bright lights of hope, of humanity, of compassion. And each time I look beyond and see the blanket of vested interests ready to snuff them out as soon as I blink.
I know it’s not personal. I know they are not just out to get me. But I also know that I can see it all, and say it all, and it doesn’t matter. Because the brokers of power and control are not interested in solo rants, or small, bright lights.
Retention of power is all. Whether it is financial, political, moral: power for power’s sake!
The world of the multi-national corporations is for another day. Theirs is disinterested exploitation for gain, with no intention to disguise the fact.
The one that angers, and saddens me the most is the one that presents itself as the representatives of the people, the good shepherds of us all.
There used to be a time when the pretence was maintained that the political decisions, especially the tough choices, were being made on our behalf for our own good.
But now, after the sound bites of the campaign trail, there seems little attempt any more to disguise that, whatever else the agenda may be, it sure as hell isn’t for ‘our’ benefit.
We are now in a world where the political imperative is the protection of the political group, and the vested interests attached, rather than the good of all; with the odd carrot dangled that trickle-down will somehow save us.
And whether it’s a political élite protecting itself – see Tories and the EU referendum – or an anti-political élite finding a new playground to operate in – see Trump and his ‘swamp’ chums – the result is the same.
The people get caught up in the euphoria that, for once in such a long time, someone is paying attention. They say yes please, ignoring the negatives in the hope that they are visible once more.
And the con lasts as long as is needed to maintain the control of power.
But, that doesn’t seem to matter that much any more. The lack of concern to keep up the show of empathy is symptomatic across the board. It hasn’t sunk in yet with those that were conned, but it will.
And the real shame is that the opposition, both here and in the US, seem to have lost the reason for their existence, and have also descended into the mire of politics for politics sake.
There will always be those who enter the public arena to do good, and make a difference – Jo Cox being the exemplar – but they are unfortunately outnumbered by those there to maintain their political status quo.
Power for power’s sake.
So – back to the title – what we need is a benign dictator. One with no axe to grind, no hidden agenda, no urge for more just for the sake of it.
PLease submit your applications in writing, with a clear indication why you are NOT the right person to hold power. That may just be the best indicator of why you should.
cherokoffdotcom 