Grip my election....

Reading the Daily Propoganda today I discovered that election fever is currently 'gripping' Taiwan (apparently). This turn of phrase has always interested me when used in regard to politics, gripping having the potentially negative connotations of 'seizing', 'grasping', and (further down the line) 'choking'. Because whilst I myself have never been 'gripped' by an election the results usually end up in the country in question being gripped in another fashion.

Let me ask you this one question. In your country (wherever you are) what does the outcome of an election actually mean? My experience of voting is restricted to the UK, a country where the dividing line between the two main political parties is so blurred they may as well be one and the same. The same shit dumped on us 10 years ago is still being dumped on us despite a regime change. I'm also inclined to wonder how Al Gore would have responded to the Twin Towers had he been in the hot seat that fateful day. To many outside the US the military response authorised by Dubya did not seem like a right-wing Republican reaction but a hell-bent-on-vengeance-because-we're-GOD's-nation American reaction. Sorry if that offends, but it is a large truth. How would Gore have responded to the public outcry to September 11th? And to the call for justice (read: revenge)? Because, let's face it, public opinion can swing decisions like that.

Okay, in some countries where the political situation is more volatile who you vote for can have a huge impact, but in the so-called 'civilised' nations it really doesn't seem to mean crap. 21st century politicians are more interested in papering over small cracks (which they have already blamed on the previous ruling party) than implementing any kind of fundamental social change. Why is this? Because small changes illicit small grumbles from a lot of people, whom they can placate with little incentives here and there. Giant change often means huge outcries from a smaller group of people who cannot be so easily placated. Any idealist who tries to make a change for the common good will find their hands tied by those who really control western civilisation - the businessmen, the corporate giants. Compromises are made and the core ideals are gradually chipped away until eventually any reforms lose their bite and their ability to matter.

I am saying nothing new, offering no solutions. I am tired of being gripped, but can one man really make a difference? No matter who I vote for in my constituency it's a safe seat anyway. And no matter which party rules the same 'important' people and organisations are pandered to. All this talk about bringing democracy to Afganistan and Iraq? We don't even really have it at home.

Cheers m'dears!


People shouldn't be afraid of their Governments - Governments should be afraid of their people.

Poster tagline for the forthcoming 'V For Vendetta'