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As a more constructive counterpoint to my throwback thread earlier today, we're at the 4-year point after the vote, and the perversion of British democracy.
So I want to talk about what comes next. Not right next, but when, inevitably, it all comes apart:
THREAD
So I want to talk about what comes next. Not right next, but when, inevitably, it all comes apart:
THREAD
And to do that, we need to understand WHY we've all felt under the cosh since 2008, WHY the "red wall" turned blue, and WHY so many people have repeatedly voted against their own interests and advantages.
Like me, you probably couldn't grasp WHY.
Like me, you probably couldn't grasp WHY.
Seek and ye shall find! The first inkling into the foreign "fingers on the scales" (worldwide) in 2016 came in @agoodfireburns' excellent book; "Alternative War". I encourage all of you to read it.
It's an excellent primer. I read it over Christmas '18, agog.
It's an excellent primer. I read it over Christmas '18, agog.
But there are of course other actors, many of whom are now household names. Scummings, Johnson, Slither Gove, JRM etc. All of whom are fervent front men for more sinister, self-interested, and above all, WEALTHY investors.
I'd read "The Shock Doctrine" by @NaomiAKlein;
I'd read "The Shock Doctrine" by @NaomiAKlein;
I just thought that only happened in "poor countries"
But-
Imagine the PRIZE if you can asset-strip a whole first-world country!
That's been exactly the plan, since 2012.
But-
Imagine the PRIZE if you can asset-strip a whole first-world country!
That's been exactly the plan, since 2012.
If we can prevent the wholesale plundering of what's left of the UK, then I don't know how. That's -literally- the job of @Keir_Starmer, @UKLabour, @LibDems, @theSNP and others, and I wish them MAXIMUM EFFECTIVENESS
The die is cast for this Parliament.
So HOW did we get here?
The die is cast for this Parliament.
So HOW did we get here?
To answer that, you come to economics, and "99%", which I only first heard of a month ago. @MrMarkEThomas published it last year. The theme is uncompromising:
MASS IMPOVERISHMENT. Yes, the goal espoused in the JRM's fathers' book.
MASS IMPOVERISHMENT. Yes, the goal espoused in the JRM's fathers' book.
As a youngster I went to Coventry Business School. The funny thing about Economics as a subject, is that it's not even remotely a "science".
You'd think it's only about numbers, but it's UTTERLY reliant on a philosophical, ethical, and moral position.
You'd think it's only about numbers, but it's UTTERLY reliant on a philosophical, ethical, and moral position.
The book starts by challenging the preconceptions my generation (and even those before) that unfettered capitalism is a good idea. And Mark does that in a factual, instructive & devastating manner.
He deftly compares the "Golden" & "Market" Ages of Capitalism (1945-79 v 80-now)
He deftly compares the "Golden" & "Market" Ages of Capitalism (1945-79 v 80-now)
And the difference is horrifying. I was born into the tail end of the Golden Age, but my whole working life has been in the Market Age.
I was born lucky, I've worked my BUTT off, and I've been lucky since. And I'm conscious of how precarious my present still is.
I was born lucky, I've worked my BUTT off, and I've been lucky since. And I'm conscious of how precarious my present still is.
And I am LUCKY. I cannot imagine the sheer stress for those younger than me, who see housing, starting families, pensions etc, disappear over the horizon.
The Market Capitalist system WILL fail; it is LEGALLY REQUIRED to milk the cow to DEATH*.
*In the US, sure, but soon here
The Market Capitalist system WILL fail; it is LEGALLY REQUIRED to milk the cow to DEATH*.
*In the US, sure, but soon here
It is a policy of MASS IMPOVERISHMENT.
By refusing to invest through taxation, it's sapped the strength of countries, to the detriment of citizens.
Mark points to multiple examples of good & bad practice, and it's undeniable. UK is BAD and the plan is MUCH WORSE.
By refusing to invest through taxation, it's sapped the strength of countries, to the detriment of citizens.
Mark points to multiple examples of good & bad practice, and it's undeniable. UK is BAD and the plan is MUCH WORSE.
The Super-Rich will, of course, be "Alright, Jack".
For a time.
It didn't work out so well in 1789 in France, but the French Nobility didn't have personal jets (or even personal Mars colony plans).
For a time.
It didn't work out so well in 1789 in France, but the French Nobility didn't have personal jets (or even personal Mars colony plans).
The poor will be told- tough. There is no pay rise. Inflation will eat away at your margins. You'll never own a house. You're not entitled to a living wage. Go to 'Spoons. Drown your sorrows. Eat toxic US food. Pensions? Hah! Sick? Tough.
A miserable settlement. Crumbs.
A miserable settlement. Crumbs.
This is obviously unacceptable. There are MANY other outcomes. We are on track, RIGHT NOW, for Scenario 7, assuming the "Singapore on Stilts" money-laundering plan works. If it doesn't, we're at 2 or 8.
But there are ways to get somewhere better. And it'll be a long, hard road. But for all the "Tommehs" wanging on about WW2, remember what happened IMMEDIATELY after:
The NHS
Social Security
The people in the UK had HAD ENOUGH. They weren't serfs & wanted to be treated fairly.
The NHS
Social Security
The people in the UK had HAD ENOUGH. They weren't serfs & wanted to be treated fairly.
Stealing all of this relies on myth, division, spin, complacency, misunderstandings and disinformation. Fragmentation of society so you can pick EVERYONE'S pockets.
Overall, we've never been richer. But for 99% of us, we have never struggled more.
Overall, we've never been richer. But for 99% of us, we have never struggled more.
Personally, the penny dropped when I realised that the way the oligarchs (honestly, that's what they are) maintain control, stoked division for ME.
I'm not racist, so I won't blame BAME people.
I'm mixed-European, so I don't blame them.
Guess who I blamed?
I'm not racist, so I won't blame BAME people.
I'm mixed-European, so I don't blame them.
Guess who I blamed?
BOOMERS- that's who. Because they'd had THE BEST POSSIBLE LIVES and seemed to be denying it to us* (you know, 4 yrs ago).
It's prevalent amongst GenX, but it's a FALSE NARRATIVE. I HAD BEEN MANIPULATED!
*Not all Boomers, don't @ me
It's prevalent amongst GenX, but it's a FALSE NARRATIVE. I HAD BEEN MANIPULATED!
*Not all Boomers, don't @ me
But I realise now- there's NO REASON we cannot have what they had. And we do that by taxing and spending- not through Market Capitalism.
And as a modestly senior professional, who grew up under Thatcher, and REALLY LIKES MAKING MONEY in the private sector, that's REVELATORY.
And as a modestly senior professional, who grew up under Thatcher, and REALLY LIKES MAKING MONEY in the private sector, that's REVELATORY.
Don't take my word for it. Buy & read the damn book. I've not read a book that has given me HOPE for years. I've barely FELT hope for years.
I accept we're in for a HORRIBLE time these next few years. We've got the full Who's Who of disaster capitalists waiting in the wings.
I accept we're in for a HORRIBLE time these next few years. We've got the full Who's Who of disaster capitalists waiting in the wings.
And the Opposition is going to have to fight this malignant, toxic, cynical tyranny of a Government with the calculated & bitter desperation of a last stand. I wish them every bit of luck.
I wish upon this "Government" only frustration, failure (and incarceration).
I wish upon this "Government" only frustration, failure (and incarceration).
But what can WE do? Educate ourselves. Prepare for what comes after. When these fools cock it all up, KNOW WHAT YOU WANT.
Read the fricking book. Don't take my word for it.
Listen to experts
And ALLOW YOURSELF SOME HOPE.
Read the fricking book. Don't take my word for it.
Listen to experts
And ALLOW YOURSELF SOME HOPE.
Thanks for reading. Oh, and read the damn book.
And:
- follow @99Organisation
- visit https://99-percent.org
And:
- follow @99Organisation
- visit https://99-percent.org
PS I expect this is where Mark corrects several errors and misunderstandings and I keep adding bits, but here goes!
