There are two mortal diseases affecting the whole of humanity. They are called Apathy and Corruption!

Apathy coupled with ignorance has allowed dictators to dictate. It feeds on the instilled belief that people have not got the power or ability to do anything about the situation they find themselves in, and ‘change’ is in the hands of others.

It is an acceptance of their fate. Only when repression becomes intolerable, is the next potential dictator allowed to rise through the ranks, generally with popular support, to cast out the old one.

In their past, most dictators were ‘People’s Heroes’, but once in power, the reforming zeal and promises fairly quickly deteriorate into the second disease — Corruption.

The populace settles back down again into hopeless apathy.

It’s the pattern all over the world. They rise on misery, gain power by promises which they have no intention of keeping, and then generally ensconce themselves and quickly distance themselves from the public by armies of armed protectors, either military or police. The next act is to root out their original opponents, but that quickly expands to anyone who is a perceived threat. Basically, a different saddle on the same donkey.

In the more democratic countries, the actions may not be so severe, but the intentions are the same. It is ‘Stay in Power at all costs’! Here their success depends on alternative methods and by remaining politically agile, and for this they employ hosts of Spin Doctors whose job it is to discredit and harass any opposition.

They generally try to grab the media, as this is a powerful weapon to spread their propaganda, discredit the opposition and cement their power base. They are all aware that the people have short memories.

Sugary coating

They also attempt to convince the populace at large that all the actions they take are for their ultimate benefit. Corruption is given a sugary coating and all is well in the world. Providing they are not directly affected themselves, the public will generally go along with this. The NIMBY approach. (Not In My Back Yard).

I think it is something to do with the innate herd instinct whereby people like to congregate together and look for a leader to tell them what to do. They will put up with quite a degree of discomfort and philosophize about their fate, but providing it fits in with this instinct, they will accept it.

They all look for a strong man to lead them, and a strong man is not necessarily a nice man. None of them like to disturb the status quo.

So the running of the world is left in the hands of the unscrupulous, the corrupt, the ruthless and the power hungry, who use just those assets to rise to power.

The sheep continue to get slaughtered, but that’s alright as long as it is not them.

Agitators, provided they are not too potent, are useful to them, for it allows them to get their spin doctors into action to counter their claims, discredit them and promote their own propaganda and image. ‘There is no such thing as bad publicity!’

In Tasmania, it is already being forecast that Labor will retain government at the next election.

Despite the allegations of cronyism and unaccountability, and despite the slaughter of our forests and the collapse of the health system, they will still get re-elected.

Admittedly, they are walking a fine line, but the opposition is seen as no better, and that is a benefit to the incumbent party.

The Greens are generally vilified at every opportunity, and they have not got the financial support to launch an effective counter strategy.

Even the forced interference at Federal level to conserve some of our forests is now being claimed as a major victory in saving our heritage and preserving workers’ jobs by the Labor Party!

A true Mafia style victory in protecting our forests from themselves. They are currently spending a $2.2 million Federal grant to publicise this.

Barnaby Drake: “Born in London, but educated in India, before returning and graduating in Fine Arts from London and Birmingham. Many productive years in the midlands as a mainframe computer analyst, during which period he invented that great stress reliever – bubble wrap. He subsequently emigrated to South Africa, where he returned to the Arts, making a living as a journalist, photographer and writer. He has also written papers on such diverse subjects as Ancient British archaeology, astrophysics, the human brain, pottery, philosophy and philately, as well as couple of ordinary books. He has since retired to Tasmania, while retaining all his interests, due to his recent marriage, he is now growing roses and fat.”