How’s YOUR Life?

Mine is full of concerns and, if I started to think about the way the world seems to be heading in even a slightly neurotic way, I would be afraid.

Anyone reading this who has also kept up with the current news might agree that the current global scene is not a happy one. What do we need to consider: two major wars that show no sign of lessening and could even escalate and more contemplated (China v. Taiwan); global economic problems; then there are bad changes in weather in many areas with global warming and ecological consequences; much more migration of unhappy, poor people, many of whom will not find the destiny they desire elsewhere; healthcare issues (more dependence on drugs and pressure on systems to deliver); more crime…..and more??. Not the least concern, however, is global political chaos resulting from the preceding matters and an increasing multitude of public concerns, some of which seem ridiculous, that seem beyond control.

Am I painting a grossly overdramatized negative view? Check the media!

Now tell me, how many of you want to die or have your children die as soldiers? Nobody? So why is it that we continue to allow wars and the greed which is at the root of it all?
There are millions of us people who would like friendly relations with all other like- minded people we might meet. But also there are – how many – crooks of various kinds, including murderers, liars and psychopaths, people who have large amounts of wealth that is way beyond their needs, are excessive power seekers, and some other very selfish and unpleasant people? Surely, we know it is so, but then why do we allow a minority of over-confident and/or unsuitable or undesirable people to decide how we, the majority of normal fair-minded people (?), should live our lives.

In too many countries there is totalitarianism usually with rule by a dictator who will stay in power as long as possible. History suggests that some dictators may be favoured by populations at the start of their rule, but many become tyrants or worse the more powers they control – and they may also select their successors. Also, groups of power-hungry people that are self-appointed or elected by more limited voters than a democracy may govern a country, an autocracy. Instead, as some improvement, we can elect people by populations voting in democratic countries, at least that gives everybody a chance to find a government that is a population-chosen group of individuals that we are view as capable and trustworthy; an idea put forward centuries ago by Plato and Aristotle. It seemed to work reasonably well particularly as Aristotle included the idea of monitoring what and how the government operated with some strict guidelines regarding their performance and remuneration.

We can observe throughout history that neither dictatorships, nor self-selecting oligarchs are ideal, and certainly not from the viewpoints of freedom, peace, equal opportunities and the possibility of self-fulfilment for all people. We generally propose that democracy will or might achieve that. Why doesn’t it work as it should?

For a start the performance of individuals in government is not monitored adequately nor enforced to a point where some governments do not seem to be sufficiently cohesive to make timely decisions. Those with the responsibility for oversight seem unable or unwilling to act decisively.
There are individual members of parliaments making money outside their parliamentary role and using their status and contacts to add to their income: it seems that there are some people whose loyalty is to themselves and whose main aim is to be re-elected. Some make money after their periods of government service have ended with no strict control over what information is taken from their experiences in government and used by others. Many use their public status to make money after service. Even if they do not give away restricted information, there seems to be an expectation that when one ceases to serve in government one can make money from the status gained – fine so long as there are limits recognized and upheld. What about a well-known politician who now sells his skills and thinking to other governments at a huge profit from this private business? Is that ethical or safe politically? What about personally appointed advisors and ‘spin-doctors’ who are there to influence and promote their hirers?

We are also seeing small groups with specific viewpoints that they wish to further and who have sufficient support to start a new political party adding to the confusion in main parties who then argue who and how these new parties can help or hinder the work of major parties. Some will argue that these several small parties are doing good in a democratic society, but they all add to the difficulties of main parties internally who wonder which way to look to garner enough votes from independent members to support a major party in debates, and to help them be re-elected. Outside government there are similar very active pressure groups who can use the media, social media and internet to promote their wishes. They can make any special issue one can think of into a widespread public debate which takes the attention of government away from far more important and sometimes grave issues affecting whole national populations or even the world.

Many of these special group issues are very important to some, and currently I would select trans people and Jewish people as some whose concerns are real and need consideration. However, I do not think that governments should be drawn into immediate and extensive action on those kinds of concerns: they are often those of vociferous minority groups that should be managed outside government. Both governments, and the responsible media, must deal with the larger and very real threats affecting everybody, even globally, before they try to satisfy every individual.

Where, however, should arguing people or groups go to find counselling and, if necessary, a wise referee. Often legal experts are involved, and the costs of legal actions are significant and there are many that are afraid of, or concerned, about the effect of a legal process on their finances and futures in employment. Is that a fair situation? Despite many agencies involved in helping with legal costs, one suspects that case costs cannot be ignored as influencing and preventing many from trying to stand up for reasonable rights and causes.

It often seems that the issues of power nearly always favour those with money. That power is linked to ‘economic growth’ results in more people with more money, power and control – of businesses, varying groups of powerful people, private owners of large areas of land and buildings, and those employed within them. Control over money and growth permits control of everything even at (perhaps essentially at) a political level.

Money is essential for material success, but problematic and even dangerous when in the hands of a few and without reasonable restraint – and not only including economic issues. Do we fully and openly consider the benefit to risk balance of even well-meaning projects to the societies affected by them, to all the relevant ecology, to the health of humans, animals and vegetation that might be affected, to the beauty of the world. We are moving towards that situation but the pressures of growing societal/manufacturing /agricultural growth requirements of many kinds is challenging us all the time.

So, as an ordinary but not stupid person why not go with the flow and join in with the selfish and chaotic lot or perhaps become ‘wannabees’ who are just jealous and lazy and so think they can make life difficult, seeming to not have any aim other than to take away anything good from others. This other viewpoint also includes ‘in- between’ groups who become comfortable onlookers – those who have made a reasonable life for themselves and will not ‘rock-the-boat’, – ‘Yes I know it’s awful but what can I do?’ – they say, that is of course if they have enough money to ‘get by.’ There are lots of us. ‘Do we all have to give money to the really poor?’ If, however, we don’t give, our taxes will go up, and, as a conscientious government has to find money for the sick and disabled and the most poor through taxes, prices will go up and…..my pension won’t cope. Sell the car! It’s diesel anyway. Old folk don’t count. Just grumbling passengers. We’re to blame. Oh, don’t go on. The grave beckons. What no memorial service?

So, how’s your life? Think of others!

Best wishes,
Rafe