The terrible spectre of the 1980s, and why socialism had to be defeated, was the prospect of the command economy, where the government would decide what everyone did, went, could eat, and got paid. That's what happened behind the Iron Curtain, I remember being told by my Dad whenever we played one of them at football, and we don't want that ever to happen here.
Well with the combined effects of Covid and Brexit it strikes me that, at the moment, the government is effectively setting the wages of the vast majority of people in the country (either through pensions, benefits, public sector pay or the furlough schemes and corporate profit support versions). It is controlling where we can all travel to, especially abroad. It is pretty much in control of what food is being imported and exported. Or at least it's their fucking fault there's no longer free trade. And although we haven't quite got as far as shooting people trying to get in or out, it's not a million miles off.
And yet the right-wing press all agree the Government is doing a marvellous job and most people - myself included, I must admit - seem quite happy with this "new normal", apart from a few grumbles, and are getting on with it. If a politician stood up now and said "we're taking everything over. Nationalising the lot. But don't worry, we'll make sure everyone gets a ration book" I reckon there'd be an 8 o'clock clap, not outraged rioting in the streets.
Maybe I've just been overthinking it. I don't know.
Well with the combined effects of Covid and Brexit it strikes me that, at the moment, the government is effectively setting the wages of the vast majority of people in the country (either through pensions, benefits, public sector pay or the furlough schemes and corporate profit support versions). It is controlling where we can all travel to, especially abroad. It is pretty much in control of what food is being imported and exported. Or at least it's their fucking fault there's no longer free trade. And although we haven't quite got as far as shooting people trying to get in or out, it's not a million miles off.
And yet the right-wing press all agree the Government is doing a marvellous job and most people - myself included, I must admit - seem quite happy with this "new normal", apart from a few grumbles, and are getting on with it. If a politician stood up now and said "we're taking everything over. Nationalising the lot. But don't worry, we'll make sure everyone gets a ration book" I reckon there'd be an 8 o'clock clap, not outraged rioting in the streets.
Maybe I've just been overthinking it. I don't know.
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