House of Common Animals...

Once upon an election, I used to get excited. It was a time to voice my displeasure or pleasure with the current administration. I felt important. I felt like I was making a difference with my vote.

Then I realized politics is dirty. Politicians are mostly lawyers who know how to debate the finer points of language. They know how to use words against an opponent to uphold their own agenda.

I read today the name of the lawyer representing parents against school closures. There was no mention that five years ago he was the minister of education.

New candidates represent hope and change. Promises are made that cannot be kept. The public accepts the bullshit because each time it believes this person is going to be different.

But he never is. And it's not his fault.

The system is the same. Parties get elected. Leaders rise to supreme power when a majority of their colleagues of the same colour get voted in. The public doesn't vote for leaders. The public votes for a representative. If the public doesn't like the leader that an elite group votes in, the local representative has to be removed as a show of displeasure for leadership. Yet if other parts of the country don't display the same displeasure, the leader can remain in power.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Only time breeds displeasure. The removal of the leader takes time. The best leaders eventually piss off enough people to get removed.

And that's where our system is flawed. Voting doesn't change anything. As long as a leader remains popular, it doesn't matter how a person votes.  It's easy to be popular. Don't make tough decisions. Don't be polarizing and don't say anything to offend.

That makes me sad. For years I thought the ability to vote was an important display of freedom.

When laws get changed to allow for attack ads, I feel dirty.
When politicians lie and cheat the taxpayers, I feel raped.
When bureaucrats spin the truth because they don't believe there is absolute truth, I get angry.

Politics is a good business for dirty, and cut throat politicians. Change will not happen because the system will not allow it to happen.

Nothing changes with new leadership. For there to be change, processes and systems have to be re-invented. To have change, conventional thought and constructs need to be put aside.

If war is good for anything, it's the removal of conventional thought.

Re-invention can happen without war. But not without courage, humility, and a desire to not quit until success is achieved.

For politics to get back to being about representing the people, there is only one solution. Take away the one evil thing that drives people to get into politics: Greed. Remove pensions from elected officials. Remove expense claims and office stipends. Regulate salaries to the average of the region in which the candidate is elected. Flights and accommodations are paid for by the crown. Any extra expenses are paid for by the elected official.

The greedy will not run. The business of politics will not be appealing. Regular people will start to run for office. People who are honest. People who want to make a difference. Regular people who will not trade their integrity for their vote. Regular people serving regular people. And if they become dirty, another regular person will win the next election.

For things to change, the system needs to change. For the system to change, it's gonna take a maverick, to have enough balls and strength of character to put these ball-less elected officials in their place.

It's going to hurt for that maverick. It always does for the person who insists on change. He will face ridicule, threats, and possible death. That special person needs fortitude of character, the peace of mind and the ability to not quit.

That is the only way I believe change will ever happen. Otherwise the new boss will just be like the old boss. And the cycle will continue with disappointment, heartache and anger.

                                            "Won't Get Fooled Again" - The Who

We'll be fighting in the streets
With our children at our feet
And the morals that they worship will be gone
And the men who spurred us on
Sit in judgement of all wrong
They decide and the shotgun sings the song

The change, it had to come
We knew it all along
We were liberated from the fold, that's all
And the world looks just the same
And history ain't changed
'Cause the banners, they are flown in the next war

I'll move myself and my family aside
If we happen to be left half alive
I'll get all my papers and smile at the sky
Though I know that the hypnotized never lie
Do ya?

There's nothing in the streets
Looks any different to me
And the slogans are replaced, by-the-bye
And the parting on the left
Are now parting on the right
And the beards have all grown longer overnight

I'll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I'll get on my knees and pray
We don't get fooled again
Don't get fooled again
No, no!

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

Meet the new boss
Same as the old boss