A long time ago some people decided that everyone should have a say in how things were run. This was a cool and groovy idea and not that many of them were killed because of it. They called this idea democracy and it was good. Everyone had to be nice, or they would be stabbed by those opposing them. Bad for bad people, good for people able to compromise. I think that’s what we’re missing. People talk about our democracy like it’s an amazing thing — it really isn’t. It’s also not very democratic. Those that want to keep you voting, however, will try and scare you with boogeymen to make you complicit in this fantasy where everyone gets a say but no-one actually does. If you get a say in how the country is run, then surely you should be asked some questions, no? And asked what your opinion is on matters affecting you? No. It’s a democracy, just vote for the least odious politician and you’ll be fine. Even if they break their campaign promises and decide to do the opposite of what they said they would. It’s a democracy, you can simply vote them out (after 4 years and they’ve siphoned a few hundred thousand out of the coffers). Which means what exactly? My choice is between a few people who have questionable motivation and don’t actually need to carry out any kind of mandate, merely turn up. They don’t have to take any heed of my point of view, merely decide what they want to do on a whim. So if I vote, am I more or less likely to have a say in how things are run than if I don’t vote? Bout equal I’d say. I will vote when the slip contains “none of the above”. I wonder who voted for MPs to have elastic expenses rules? Every person who voted, that’s who. Did you not realise that that is what you are doing when you give license to others to speak for you? Who voted for the privatisation of the Post Office? You did! Who voted for the Iraq war? You! There’s only one way to actually enact the sentiment of “not in my name” and that’s to turn your back on all of them and make the world a better place on your own.