Democracy?

I have been doing loads of research lately into democracy and what it really is and whether it really is what we think it is. I have discovered that it is not what it seems. I am learning more and more about America and their stance on world power – which is that they are in charge and everyone must co-operate or else. We, the people, have absolutely no say in what happens in the government. I may even go so far as to say that our votes don’t count…but I think that is less relevant here in Australia. It comes down to this: the rich have the money and they control the government and the corporations, which is essentially everything. In America, people who demonstrate or protest in the street get arrested – since when did America become a police state? In Australia this doesn’t happen to us, so we need to start to use this privilege so that we can effect change.

So how do we get our voices heard?

We need to get into the streets and demonstrate. We need to write letters to our Members of Parliament and our Prime Minister. We must DEMAND change. We need to join together and make things happen. The government wins because each person is concerned only with themselves, and refuses to care about his or her neighbour. If this changed, if we really acted like a community, then change would happen. The powers that be would have no choice. It is our right to get in the street and demand change, but we are scared to do it.

But don’t be afraid! We live in a country that is a democracy, that alows us to do whatever it is that we want to do. So get your opinion out there. Don’t allow the powers that be control your life.

It would be a good idea to watch some documentaries on this if you’re interested, or start reading some Noam Chomsky – he’s absolutely amazing. He has many books available on the subject.