The dictionary defines democracy as “government by the people; a form of government in which the
supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by
their elected agents under a free electoral system.”
What then has happened to democracy?
My understanding is that it is the responsibility of every citizen to actively participate
in shaping society. Taking an active part means standing up for what is right
and speaking out against what is wrong, yet our governments are persecuting
people who do just that, and keeping tabs on all of us in the process.
Whistleblowers are a prime
example of democratic activism. These are people who go against the grain,
standing up for matters of principle against huge pressure and at enormous
personal risk of loss of job, salary and reputation, not to mention threats to
life and liberty.
When institutions and
those appointed by the state to look after our interests are so often
compromised by their position, and their desire to remain in position, any
society worthy of the title “democratic” should be handing out awards to the
brave individuals who take up the challenge. Instead those individuals are subjected
to vicious smears, persecuted, bullied, imprisoned and even murdered.
Not only whistleblowers
but also grass roots activists fighting for truth and justice suffer the same
fate. Environmental campaigners, animal rights activists, those fighting – or
just speaking out against - corporate and government corruption, greed, and exploitation,
are treated as dangerous criminals, undeserving of the rights and protections
of ordinary citizens.
What can justify the infiltration
of, for instance, London Greenpeace and the so-called “McLibel” activists by
men like Bob Lambert and John Dines, and their use as agent provocateurs to
discredit and manipulate legitimate protest?
These undercover policemen seduced and married young, idealistic and socially
active women, and went on to have children with them, merely in order to gain
credibility and access to their networks. The deceit and betrayal was carried
out in the name of democracy by our police and sanctioned by our government.
A million people marched
in the UK Iraq Britain
There is no risk to society from socially conscientious
people who care enough about the world they live in to become actively involved
and try to do something to make it a safer and better place – for all of us. On
the contrary, we owe them our gratitude and huge respect. The risk comes from
the opposite side – from the increasing covert and illegal surveillance and the
corruption of truth and justice perpetrated by those in positions of power in
our name. Corruption, misinformation and blatant terror tactics against those
who dare to challenge the authority of those in power are compromising the
underlying principles of our supposedly free and democratic social systems.
The truth has been turned
on its head and they’re counting on our apathy, and fear, and
self-protectiveness to stop us from action. Let’s show them that they’ve
counted wrong. Stand up, speak out, and face the truth! Democracy is more than
under threat – it has been secretly taken over by a self serving, paranoid and
greedy elite.
Spread the word.
