Change the world!

For a day filled with significant numbers of non-violent protests, it is disheartening to see the lack of reporting by the global news media following the Mayday protests. However, this is hardly surprising as news is a commercial industry. Or alternatively it is funded by religion or state, none of which represent non-partisan viewpoints. So we cannot count on any assistance in our demands for change, we must manage this challenge on our own. As I said previously, the sad reality is that if the protests are marred with violence they will be vilified and dismissed; if they are not, they will be ignored. Neither is acceptable. So in light of the lack of reporting on public discontent we cannot afford to rest or pause as public memory is fickle and short. But with a sufficiently unified collective voice, our demands can build in volume and although the protest may be a small snowball today, soon it will become an unstoppable avalanche.

More importantly, our goals can only be achieved by sustained peaceful protest; violence and mayhem only give support to our critics. “Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.” - Martin Luther King Jr.

But to start by arguing for just one of the many issues at stake, let’s start with cuts in healthcare spending. Increased specificity and accuracy of new diagnostic tests come with increased cost. So do novel therapeutics. In the face of increased costs to maintain current healthcare, this is hardly the time to cut healthcare spending. However it is entirely plausible that there is waste in the system which might be highlighted by those who work in the system. Targeting wastage and streamlining the system seems like a far better targeting strategy to enable more efficient spending of the available funds.

Furthermore, closing hospitals is a strategy of false economy. If/when in future it becomes necessary to re-open or re-build a hospital; the new expenditure will then be in addition to the cost of having closed the previous facility. The ageing and growing population will require more healthcare in the future, not less, so anyone with foresight can clearly see this strategy is doomed for failure at the public expense. And sadly this is a failing of our political system as repercussions are imposed onto subsequent governments, but those responsible for poor choices are never held accountable for their actions. Cuts to public services and healthcare to avoid imposing increased taxation onto bankers and the affluent is insane and an untenable strategy.

The path to resolution remains unclear. Online protest is a vehicle but will not achieve success alone; perhaps a targeted letter campaign strategy for the future? However there is a fine line separating protest from harassment and the machinations of injustice are manifold. So for today, I hope that others will join me in attempting to establish a more collective voice for change. As always, any comments and suggestions would be most appreciated!

#changetheworld