Enough

There are many reasons as to why we have a coalition government, New Labour had run aground on a few issues, war on two fronts, a tanking economy, a hostile press, a leader who had the misfortune of looking like an ordinary person rather than an aspirational pin-up, general apathy and perhaps a lack of will on the part of the leadership rather than the activists and local groups. Cameron et al, despite being easily mocked had a friendly press, tonnes of tax-free cash for posters and such, no real world mistakes to hammer them on(because promising things is so much easier than having to deliver on them, eh Nick?), and Cameron comes over well on camera, plus they essentially shoved Osborne in a broom cupboard.

I always imagine Osborne being into model trains, like really into them, the expression of joy on his features as he unwraps a first edition locomotive being both oddly sinister and comforting - like an evil child's toy.

The truth of it is, we don't do as much as the other side do. I know people who worked their arses off to get Tony Wright re-elected, a man who worked for his constituents, and I didn't get involved mainly because an opportunity came up to earn some money working for the polling side of the things, which was interesting and the money came in handy. I regret that I didn't campaign for him, not that I am arrogant enough to think that I would have made a difference, but the truth of it is, I might have. If I had done something tangible, I might have made a difference of some kind.

People seem to think that joining or starting a group on Facebook or trending on Twitter makes a real difference, that going to Glastonbury is a revolutionary act in itself when the only thing that brings about change is actual physical activism, getting outside, being seen and being heard.

I have a friend who has always walked the walk - she attended Hope Not Hate protests in Yarmouth Market Place, and described how people abused her and her friends simply for being there, for standing up, she has been on marches and generally, were it not for how compassionate a human being she is, could make you feel bad for not doing enough - her husband is much the same, but to them it is nothing special, it is simply something that you have to do.

Its difficult because most of us have things to do, jobs, bills, families and friends, lives and political activism is as draining as it is enervating. Its the old and the young who can get out there, or at least it used to be. Most people couldn't give a shit about anything beyond their noses, sure they can bitch about it on a message board or a blog :) but ultimately it is easy to ignore it. I do it all the time, bitch about the situation rather than do anything, and I tell myself that if I ask questions, then maybe someone will think about the situation and do something about it, but its an excuse.

We have to start doing things in the real world, and for a start, start giving a shit. Just because the cuts will fuck the poor and disabled people first, don't for a second think it will end there, unless you are rich, in which case, fuck you, you're part of the problem. Shit, there are things going on in the world right now that are abhorrent.

It is not enough to stand on the sidelines being ironic and hip anymore. To me its about compassion, about not believing the myths of capitalism and seeking alternatives to it, because companies can afford to pay a living wage, governments can afford decent public services, they can provide education that teaches people other things than how to work, that we can be good in all things and live lives of substance. Morality is a word often taken by the conservative mindset but goodness is a virtue and a revolutionary act, and we might have to fight to make government notice us, but fight we must.