The democratic paradox

The democratic paradox

The “left” side of politics claims to be “of the people” and “for the people”. However, they have no time for ordinary folks’ views on such mundane matters as parental discipline, and so they dismissed the notion of a referendum on the proposal to repeal Section 59 because this is a “complex and controversial issue”. So the “left" attitude to the very class it claims to represent is the Leninist concept of being “the vanguard of the proletariat”. In normal words: “We know what is best for you.”

On the “right” side of politics, the prime claim is to be defending individual choices and family values which are commonly believed to be supported by most people. Yet the “right” also believes firmly in “authority” and “leadership”, and for that reason it too dismisses referendums, because the ordinary people are too dim and can’t be trusted. The “right” too declares with equal passion: “We know what is best for you.”

Both sides unite in unhealthy connivance to resist the right of the people to be the final arbiters of the rules of society. That is why the political establishment is held in such contempt by ordinary people. I share and heartily encourage that contempt, and the best way to express it is simply: DON’T VOTE. If enough of us refuse to participate in the political farce we will eventually bring it to a grinding halt. Its illegitimacy will be exposed and we can then finally grant ourselves our first democratic constitution. Finally we can stop the political class from imposing their will upon us, and instead force them to obey the will of the people.