“It is well enough that the people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning.”
Henry Ford
Whatever happened to that fly-by-night group of protesters who created a “shanty town” in Parliament Square over the Summer? You can’t have forgotten; they caused quite a stir amongst those reasonable folk who value neat lawns above the freedom to protest about such trivialities as climate change, the banking crisis and illegal war. Thank goodness law and order was restored after Democracy Village lost their case at the High Court; now no politician entering Parliament has to endure the sight of the people holding them to account for their decisions. Really, what sane person in a healthy democracy wants that sort of thing going on?
As soon as the eviction was over Westminster Council erected some pretty fencing around the Square in order to carry out ‘essential
maintenance’ to the grass, and it is still there even though the grass has grown back. But I’m sure the public doesn’t mind a bit paying for a private security firm to patrol the perimeter. The authorities are happy that the completely unintentional side-effect of the fences is that any protesters are kept out and, considering that the official reason for opposition to Democracy Village given by Westminster Council and David Camerson was that the Square looked untidy they must be very satisfied with how it looks now. Yes, it’s obvious to everyone that fencing and guards are far more attractive to look at than rainbow flags declaring ‘peace’. And the villagers? No doubt the horrid rabble has skulked off to lick their wounds.
Alas, reports of the death of Democracy Village have been greatly exaggerated, because unfortunately for those who wanted rid of it it is very much alive and well. As we declared back in July the the Village ‘was far more than a collection of tents — it is an idea. And ideas cannot be moved on.’ So, the idea that is Democracy Village has been growing, expanding and gaining strength not a stone’s throw from Parliament Square in
weekly People’s Assemblies held at Victoria Tower Gardens (Saturdays at 1pm if you’d like to join us) and will flower this Saturday, Oct 9th, in a celebratory Democracy Rally in Trafalgar Square. This will be a day of “education, discussion and creative expression” featuring
speakers from many grassroots organizations who share with us a passionate belief in new possibilities. But make no mistake, this is far from a traditional gathering – it is the Idea taking form. And never has there been a more potent historical moment in which to make it happen. After the expenses scandal, the banking crisis, and with unprecedented cuts looming, the ground is fertile for the planting of new seed.
Gandhi said something that is much-quoted: “Be the change you wish to see in the world”. It may sound familiar to you, but how many of you understand. much less, embody, its true meaning? This quote is so profound, and its implications so powerful, that if only a fraction of those of you reading this article now were to put it into practice immediately; if only some of you began, without delay, living in a way that reflects your deepest longing for a life without constant struggle and pain then the society you see around you, with all its seemingly entrenched injustices, with all its corruption, all its exploitation and all its violence, would begin to transform at a speed that would astound you. Because all that gives these iniquities their life-blood is your belief that change is not possible. It is your acceptance of the lie that you have no agency, no real
power, that keeps your dreams out of reach. No matter that David Cameron talks of “giving” power to the people, the clue is in his language – he is the source of power and any freedom you have is only the amount the government deigns to give you – the very opposite of the definition of democracy which states that power is vested in the people. Go on, look it up! Therefore, if a real democracy is what we have then power is not Cameron’s to give. How can you be given something you already possess?
The only reason he gets away with turning his distortion of democracy into a virtue we are supposed to be grateful for is because we have colluded in the lie. We have allowed ourselves to be hypnotized into a state of helplessness by the few with a vested interest in our paralysis. And what is the swinging gold watch used to put us to sleep? The newest gadget, the latest fashion, the fastest car. This is what we are offered in place of an authentic life in which we control our own destiny. Only the Spectacle, the ravenous beast of consumer culture that is never sated. The beast feeds on the world’s rapidly diminishing resources – and it feeds on our souls. It chews up and spits out that better part of ourselves that knows, deep
within, that we are all one community, that we value human dignity, that we respect the natural world and revere the life that shares with us this beautiful planet. How long can we revel in our consumer choices if the true price for them is paid in the currency of human misery and a devastated environment, and in the exploitation of every vulnerable lifeform? The lie is that you are a winner, but the truth is, in this game everyone loses. Withdraw your cooperation in this deception and your real position of strength will be revealed.
In the words of Thoreau most of those who sincerely wish to see a more just world “hesitate, and they regret…..and godspeed to the right as it goes by them.” Old Henry knew that change only comes through action, through movement! Action is choosing to live each
day in a way which rejects exploitation of all kinds because the truth is, there is no need to wait a single moment before taking the first step towards a better future. The future is ours to make! It is not something to be decided upon by those who know better. And who are these infinitely wise and benign politicians who know better than you do what is good for you and your children? Are they the same ones who took your hard-earned money to pay for their duck-houses and widescreen TV’s, and then, with an astonishing sense of entitlement, hid behind legal technicalities to absolve themselves? Are they the very same politicians who allowed, indeed encouraged, the bankers to play fast and loose and then asked you to bail them out while pretending they had nothing to do with it? And are these the very same bankers who are now enjoying
pre-crisis levels of bonuses while those same politicians lecture you about tightening your belt and making sacrifices for the greater good? Are these the people you are still putting your trust in? Wake up! The dream they are selling you is really a nightmare. Start acting like the sovereign citizen you are and beg no more for that which is your birthright.
“All experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.”
American Declaration of Independence
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