Election Year or Fear!

[swaledale]

A reasonable question deserves an answer, so, too top to bottom

I’m concerned too, but/and the hateful dialogue is from both/all sides, on many subjects. I blame social media for its rise but not for the existence of it in the first place, social media has merely lifted the lid on hate/division that was always there

I think your definition / understanding of mega wealthy and mine is different, I think folk switch off on being bothered about your list of issues way further down the wealth scale, that’s maybe part of the problem, with what I call the ‘fat and happy’

I don’t see the point predicting three years ahead, I think that’s agreeing with you

Farage’s mettle will only be proven if/when in office, his USP is his ability to ‘connect’ (for good or ill) and that will sustain through time, not sure who or how it could be countered

I’m not worried by any form of govt other than full dictatorship at one end and away with the fairies at the other. I’m more resilient than that, I actually get the impression you are too but our view on how much ‘politics’ influence our lives differ

Don't disagree, that on the extremes, whether left or right there is hateful dialogue and yes all people have it within them to spout hate, socila media has I think amplified that to an extent where people who would never insult a sports person for losing for example, feel able to do so in the most disgraceful ways on social media. What social media and technology, including youtube, etc. has enabled is a more widespread dissemination of disinformation, conspiracy theories and the disturbing phenomenum of people who say and promote extrme views, not becuase they necessarily belive them, but because it earns them money, fame and notoriety (and Goodwin the Reform candidate for the byelection is a prime example).

Having said that, Farage and other extreme politicians do now say things which previously would have been thought beyond the pale, that I'm in no doubt, has encouraged other people to see xenophobia, racism, ***ism, misogyny and indeed hatred of "others" as "legitimate".

My defintion of the mega wealthy may be different, I'm referring to those, as exemplified in the case of Epstein, whose wealth and power enables them to act as if the norms of society, as if the rule of law etc. does not apply to them. It also encourages those the hangers on (Mandelson being an example) to support and enable their activities.

The disconnect between a large proportion of the voters and politics is indeed a problem, a significant number either don't make the effort, or simply cannot be bothered to understand the realities of politics and its impact on their lives. However, they will moan and whinge when their house gets flooded, food prices rocket, or services like health, eductation, trasnport etc. are no longer available or they have to pay to access. I'm still struck by the interview with a voter in Clacton at the last election, who when asked why they were voting Reform, said, "becuase of immigrants, we have waiting lists for Dr's, schools are overcrowded and our youngsters can't get a council house. The interviewer then said, but immigrants make up less than 1% of the population here, so how are immigrants the reason in this contituency. The voter had no response to that.

You say that only an outright dictatorship would worry you. The salient point here is that, dictatorships start off by being elected, wolf in sheeps clothing if you will. They are rarely obviously authoriatarian to start with, though they will tailor their policies in a clever way which will appeal to people who want simple answers, such as the death penalty will reduce murders, stopping immigration and deporting people will mean "native" Brits will ahve acess to the services they desire and more jobs, climate chnage is a hoaz and efforts to combat it are pointless, if we stop doing that, you will all see prices drop and your lives improve etc. etc. The point being that I know many don't thin politics influences their lives, but the reality is it does, Brexit, austerity has all contributed to what people are feeling, not the sole reason of course but political decisions ahve imapcted heavily even if people don't realise it.

Then bit by bit, if elected, look at Poland and Hungary for examples, but also look at Le Penn in France and Italy the screw gets tightened, opposition parties are banned, elections fixed, free speech is constrained, in that any dissenting voices from those in power are silenced, the media is suppressed or becomes a state propaganda machine and those harsh punishments that were used against sector sof the population who mnay people thought deserved it, are now used aginst one's family, relatives and friends.

Trump is a relative outlier in that he did actually say what he intended to do and around 50% of the voters seemed to like the idea of a "new and different" approach, I'd say the reality is starting to hit home to more than a few of those and it wil be interesting if not a little worrying how things progress over the next few months. Though I think many of those who thought we will just be resilent and put up with him for 4 more years are now thinking that isn't going to work.

As for Farage, he is a snake oil salesman, pure and simple, yes he has charisma and communication skills, but he has no "man of the people" and no record of any positive contribution to the UK or its voters and surely one has to ask, who are the people and organisations funding him? And whats their motive for doing so?