Not only is this an analog for today’s un-usable government policy solutions – any history of how things could and did work in the past is suppressed. One Thought – One Taught – One Voice – One Choice.
The government push-back to transparency is as old as authority – Bureaucracy. It’s buried in transcripts, broken into sections, indexed esoterically, in part everywhere; and in whole nowhere — it’s a FOIL request for each document – a Black Box policy process where only the results are viewable.
When I enquired at the Town office about the status of our hamlet’s petition to the NY State for a speed limit – I was told it would take six months to a year; and we would only know if they put up signs.
It’s government by the book; by Kafka.
“Sweetkins and Light” It conjures up images of cuteness, simplified pastel shapes, and kid-friendly xylophone melodies – images that hide the Lord of the Flies “kill the pig” underpinnings of today’s social doctrine.
Children are educated to conform to this doctrine; and they are all the more eager to do so – to avoid the fate of those who do not.
Their candy-colored future is no more than building sand castles against the rising tide.
As flooding gets worse – our government’s “hundred year flood” criteria bobs on the surface; constantly being revised to meet ever-higher levels of water – a damage control that substitutes reassurance for regulation. It’s as if the definition of “serious illness” had been changed from “bed-ridden” to “riding in a hearse.”
The USGS explanation doesn’t even mention Climate Change as a cause.
And if you won’t even admit the problem – how far away are you from doing something to solve it?
Like those science fiction movies where authorities have only so many days to act before the public is aware of the oncoming cataclysm – the true magnitude of climate change and its fallout is racing towards us from the future.
People tend to distance themselves from victims – maybe they’re afraid it’s catching. Even those who are charged with the responsibility of protecting them; take a distant and clinical view. Let’s face it; victims have a pathetic image – and they’re the result of a problem that authorities don’t want to address.
Maybe that’s why those vigilante victim movies are so popular: because they’re victims — like so many of us.
When you’re disposable; there’s always a reason for not doing anything to help. It’s just another untold story – that is telling in its absence.
Authorities could have warned seniors that if they felt threatened; they should temporarily change their will and inform the beneficiaries – but that might cause problems: when you’re disposable; you’re not a victim. Shhhhhh . . .
They excuse it – and keep on doing whatever it is they want to do. Today’s dictatorship is more mealy mouthed; but no less immovable than any in history. Take it or leave it — there’s nothing you can do about it.
So many people want to be Authority Figures these days – flashing honors and credentials like patents of nobility.
Or Messengers: racing from place to place – filled with the importance of delivering the News; without the danger and drudgery of involvement.
A society of elite people holding themselves above or outside of the oppression and evil of our times — with an eye on the lifeboat.
Outreach is important. The “If they want our help; they can come to us” attitude of our institutions leaves people to rot in place – or suffer until they are willing to take that big first step. Instead of making people ask: “Can you help me?” — We should be asking; “How can we help you?”
We work harder and harder to put aside crops that we cannot eat – for the glory of those who only count warehouses.