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Well, sorry folks, I don't think becoming politically active and dedicating the rest of my life to bring in legislative changes somehow is the answer here.
My one vote is one vote in 60 million, and it would help if there were really significant differences between the various candidates, but you all know that there aren't. Bill Hicks had it right.
Grin and bear it?
Just suffer along, shrug it off, try and find a space of freedom in gardening perhaps?
I have a much better solution.
If you really don't like what goes on in your country, vote with your feet.
Escape. Abscond. Emigrate. Pack up and go somewhere else.
Don't be a stick-in-the-mud.
The Nasca from Peru are a good warning in kind.
The environment changed where they lived - AND THEY DIDN'T MOVE.
They stayed, and prayed, and hoped for better.
It got worse and worse.
They started sacrificing virgins, then just about anybody.
Then they turned to cannibalism.
Then they died out.
Well most of them, anyway. Some had the sense to BUGGER OFF and start a new life somewhere else.
And it seems perfectly reasonable to me to not wait until you're at the cannibalism stage before you quit, up sticks and simply leave for pastures greener, elsewhere.
The mega rich have been doing this in an underhand fashion for ages. They don't like the tax laws somewhere, they register somewhere else so that they can use THEIR tax laws instead.
Once you get over being a raving nationalist and stop worshipping the holy empire that is (insert your country's name) and realise you can get satellite TV most everywhere these days, the world is your oyster.
I went to Bosnia some time ago and really liked it. Cheap property, too. That might be an alternative. And I hear than in Hawaii, folk are relatively friendly. And grow mangoes on their patios.
Lots of countries, lots of choices.
And it's an interesting thought to muse what would happen to governments if their population was no longer guaranteed to still be there by the next election.
Bring in some stupid law, and 700 000 people and their families just get up and leave, go somewhere else, pay their taxes somewhere else.
So you're going to think twice before you bring in the next stupid law?
Let's hope so ...
I really like the idea of choosing your country like one would choose a restaurant, or a holiday destination.
To become much, much more flexible in mind, body and spirit and realise that "wherever you go, there you are" and that in the right environment, your life might be much easier to turn into fun, excitement and a good life than it is to keep struggling in the wrong environment and praying for better.
Am I joking?
No, not at all.
Consider it. Perhaps even the act of a few million tax payers CONSIDERING to move to another country might bring about some change somewhere along the line.
Perhaps some countries will put up their hands and say, "Hey you guys, look at us. We've made special laws to welcome you here! We actually care for our residents and are glad to have you!"
Perhaps the very idea that you as an individual are not powerless compared to the government and all its latest shenanigans, at least not as long as you have feet that can walk, or batteries in your wheelchair, to keep going north, south, east or west until you get somewhere greener, better, healthier, friendlier is a really good thing to know for people, and to think about once in a while.
Just know that you have choices and options.
And remember the Nasca.
Don't leave it too late ...
SFX March 2010
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