Democratic Ends. Shortly.

US presidents are elected every four years. But then there are also mid term elections. Preceding both are lengthy election campaigns. It’s being said that the US democracy has become predominantly electioneering not governing. Similarly in Europe at any one time one or more of its member states are immersed in wooing its own electorate. Meanwhile the markets act like over excited kids with Aspergers running amuck while their parents argue over how best to please the next-door neighbours. Neither markets or governments are concerned with creating the future they and we want but rather trying to avoid the future they don’t want, but it’s a proven axiom that focusing on what you want to avoid is a sure fire way of hitting it. Recently a UN I think survey showed English kids are bought more ‘stuff’ than other European countries and spend less quality time with their parents. This inculcates a desire for stuff and our current crop of stuff is all about distraction, iPods, iTunes, Facebook and TV etc. Stuff needs paying for but distraction reduces the capacity to earn and learn so the result is debt. But our money has already gone to our chosen resources. Compare our lavish corporate headquarters, banks and Apple stores with the shabby huts of youth clubs, social services run out of dumpsters and the under funding of care homes. Those have been our choices. Even in places where money has been spent, on universities, schools and hospitals, the same theme of ‘give them stuff not quality time’ devalues their worth. Our governing social dichotomy is no longer left or right, workers or owners, but up and down, corporate ‘stuff’ versus individual ‘quality of life.’ 

I must get out more. So should I buy a Ducati Monster, 650cc USD forks twin radial front brakes 80hp 161kg of Italian style or give my ageing Yamaha SZR some TLC and a new chain and sprocket set? Answers on a postcard.