Alternatives? There's loads of them!

One of the recurring and persistent themes of government since 1979 is that there is no alternative to the present economic system that dominates our nation. Austerity and cuts are necessary and unavoidable as they present the only remedy to an economic crisis caused by the very economic system that is being presented as the only solution to the crisis that it caused in the first place. Sounds daft doesn't it? That is because it is daft.

The claim that there is no alternative to any form of economic and social policy is the foundations of totalitarianism. If there is no alternative to any given economic and social policy option, then that must be the only option available, and indeed must be the right option. As a result, anyone offering any other course of action must be wrong, by definition. If they are wrong, then they must be prevented from being able to implement their action, they must be prevented from being able to implement that decision as it is the wrong decision and will cause chaos. Thus, the only government must be the government who operates the system for which there is no alternative.

It always strikes me that what is never considered in the debates about Independence or remaining within the UK, is what will be the consequences for Scotland if they vote no. The above is what will be the consequences, permanent government by neoliberals who have caused the financial crash and the inequalities and gross injustices that have resulted from it. I trust you have seen the latest Oxfam Report that shows how 5 British families own more than the poorest 20% of the population. If you support such a system, then you must vote no, and I sincerely hope you do because I do not want to share the same space as you do. Indeed when the Scots vote yes, I will propose that the new Scottish government help you to relocate to a different part of the UK.

To say that there is no alternative is of course not only a lie, but is intellectually bankrupt. There is only no alternative if you believe that there is only one way to govern the country. For every economic and social problem there are a host of alternatives if you want to choose them. To tell people that there are no alternatives is the refuge of the scoundrel, liar and fool. I will propose alternatives and will begin to address this in my next post. Even if we do get a no vote in the coming referendum, we still need to consider a different way as a matter of priority as the UK is heading for an even bigger disaster than it is already in.

Your Servant
Doktor Kommirat