I am fearful about the extreme ignorance, simple mindedness and gullibility of some of the electorate. They are completely blind to the effects of neoliberalism, which is the main guiding force behind the bumptious, odious and fascist/racist Reform party who believe that competition is the defining characteristic of human relations. It redefines citizens as consumers, whose democratic choices are best exercised by buying and selling, a process that rewards merit and punishes inefficiency. It maintains that “the market” delivers benefits that could never be achieved by planning. Attempts to limit competition are treated as inimical to liberty. Tax and regulation should be minimised; public services should be privatised. The organisation of labour and collective bargaining by trade unions are portrayed as market distortions that impede the formation of a natural hierarchy of winners and losers. Inequality is recast as virtuous: a reward for utility and a generator of wealth, which trickles down to enrich everyone. Efforts to create a more equal society are both counterproductive and morally corrosive. The market ensures that everyone gets what they deserve. We internalise and reproduce its creeds. The rich persuade themselves that they acquired their wealth through merit, ignoring the advantages – such as education, inheritance, and class – that may have helped to secure it. The poor begin to blame themselves for their failures, even when they can do little to change their circumstances.
Totally agree with you. The moderators are sanctimonious, cencorious, petty idiots who do not tolerate freedom of speech or thought. I was banned for pointing out that in the USA there is a thriving business that treats tropical fish unethically. This was the offending comment. ‘According to major veterinary organizations and animal welfare groups, intentionally breeding animals for physical extremes which inherently causes chronic suffering, reduces life spans, and passes on harmful mutations is considered highly unethical. Despite clear evidence that the breeding practices of certain fish breeds such as Goldfish lead to them to suffering from a range of different conformational malformations causing pain, discomfort and life limiting conditions, some breeding societies have followed societal fashion for ‘cute’ fish, prioritising the aesthetics, rather than the health of animals. The types of Goldfish most prone to illness are long-finned varieties and heavily inbred colour morphs. Their genetic history and physical traits frequently leave them dealing with chronic conditions including abnormal behaviours. The breeders produce fish with biological genetic inbuilt obsolescence.’