Billy Bragg on Morrissey and things

That stuff he said about Morrissey was hilarious! I've never been into Bragg's music but he's a genuine bloke.

 

[Anonymous]

To me it means don't vote at all, for anyone, don't even engage with the process. Don't follow leaders. I don't believe in parliamentary democracy or any system that supports capitalism.

OK. What system would you support?

 

[wastelandofyourhead]

To me it means don't vote at all, for anyone, don't even engage with the process. Don't follow leaders. I don't believe in parliamentary democracy or any system that supports capitalism.

Then we are on a similar page. I don't believe there will be any independent or 3rd party person of national power for change within the system in our lifetime. Oh to be a fly on the wall throughout future history.

Last time I voted nationally was for Green Party (Ralph Nader) in 2000. I'd probably lean more towards Libertarian today, if I was inclined to be involved. I believe in legalizing personal freedom, and reject paying money to have an oppressor incarcerate me for my personal choices that do not involve infringing on the rights of others.

I don't believe America has been involved in a military conflict they had any business in since WWII. I reject the people's money being spent on warmongering and corporate profiteering.

What do I do about it? Absolutely nothing.. and listen to Morrissey records.. and bitch on the internet.

 

[MozRecording]

Best you idiots don't vote. Keep it up.

 

[MozRecording]

YouTube video posted by Lo-Fi Saint Louis.

Billy Bragg shares some thoughts at an impromptu benefit for Ferguson in St. Louis, Missouri on August 20th, 2014.

 

[Anonymous]

The problem with not voting is that there are differences between the two (main) parties, particularly in the long run, and those differences are magnified for those struggling to make ends meet. It's not a purely intellectual exercise for some, but a practical one. Also, voting doesn't preclude challenging the incumbents and being active in the many political tiers at the local level.

 

[Charlie Cheswick]

Best you idiots don't vote. Keep it up.

Ok Captain Brains, if you're so intelligent and so much smarter than the rest of us then explain your cause instead of just calling everyone an idiot. Where is voting for Labour or Conservative getting us?

Why is casting a vote their way and supporting what they do and the first past the post system, when some of us blatantly don't, beneficial to us?

Why would not voting, or in my case spoiling my paper, be a more invalid choice than voting for something that I have no belief in?

 

[Charlie Cheswick]

The problem with not voting is that there are differences between the two (main) parties, particularly in the long run, and those differences are magnified for those struggling to make ends meet. It's not a purely intellectual exercise for some, but a practical one. Also, voting doesn't preclude challenging the incumbents and being active in the many political tiers at the local level.

I buy this to a point, especially when the Tories are so hateful and dogma driven. Mind, should the Jocks f*** us off we'll have a permanent Tory government rendering voting even more useless.

Still, having a Labour Party that isn't trying to be the Conservative Party would be a start.

 

[Anonymous]

JUST DON'T VOTE.

Yes that's right " Put your hand in the fire ! Simple Steven says ! "


Benny-the-British-Butcher

 

[Johnny Barleycorn]

Ok Captain Brains, if you're so intelligent and so much smarter than the rest of us then explain your cause instead of just calling everyone an idiot. Where is voting for Labour or Conservative getting us?

Why is casting a vote their way and supporting what they do and the first past the post system, when some of us blatantly don't, beneficial to us?

Why would not voting, or in my case spoiling my paper, be a more invalid choice than voting for something that I have no belief in?

A stable democracy with the rule of law?

I've told you before, Charlie, if you want a socialist revolution it is up to you to start it. If you are correct the public will rally to your cause in overwhelming numbers and storm Parliament.

I have no idea why you are here putting off your inevitable victory when you could be running the country by Friday afternoon.

 

[Charlie Cheswick]

A stable democracy with the rule of law?

I've told you before, Charlie, if you want a socialist revolution it is up to you to start it. If you are correct the public will rally to your cause in overwhelming numbers and storm Parliament.

I have no idea why you are here putting off your inevitable victory when you could be running the country by Friday afternoon.

I've told you before I don't want a Socialist revolution, just an electoral system where we're all represented not just Tory tosspots like yourself.

Democratic? Pah!

 

[wastelandofyourhead]

The problem with not voting is that there are differences between the two (main) parties, particularly in the long run, and those differences are magnified for those struggling to make ends meet. It's not a purely intellectual exercise for some, but a practical one. Also, voting doesn't preclude challenging the incumbents and being active in the many political tiers at the local level.

Local elections are a different animal to national ones. They aren't as hard-bound to their party lines locally as they are nationally. Plus, a 3rd party or independent can actually win on the local level (sometimes).

Voting as a means to replace incumbents is about the most sense I can make of the process.

Unfortunately, whats wrong with politics is much larger than an incumbent. Speaking in the abstract - the main party candidates are all incumbents. They are the incumbent party.

 

[Deleted member 6305]

You're an idiot.

Well voting gets you Labour or Conservative or if you're in the US Republican or Democrat. If you vote for any of those then it is you that's the idiot.

Guys, guys. It's not whether you vote or not that counts. It's how much money you have to influence the vote.

 

[MozRecording]

Ok Captain Brains, if you're so intelligent and so much smarter than the rest of us then explain your cause instead of just calling everyone an idiot. Where is voting for Labour or Conservative getting us?

Why is casting a vote their way and supporting what they do and the first past the post system, when some of us blatantly don't, beneficial to us?

Why would not voting, or in my case spoiling my paper, be a more invalid choice than voting for something that I have no belief in?

You have this simplistic childish view that by not voting you're somehow revolting against the system. You aren't, you're being a spoiled brat. They prefer if you don't vote. So keep doing what they want. Meanwhile the folks who aren't spoiled brats will stay involved and try and push for real change.

 

[Deleted member 6305]

You have this simplistic childish view that by not voting you're somehow revolting against the system. You aren't, you're being a spoiled brat. They prefer if you don't vote. So keep doing what they want. Meanwhile the folks who aren't spoiled brats will stay involved and try and push for real change.

I think the point Charlie is trying to make is that currently there is no real democracy, so what is the point of voting? The whole Democrat/Republican and Labour/Conservative system is kind of like the strategy that parents use on their kids to give the illusion of choice. "Do you want to want to brush your teeth now or in 15 minutes?" Either way the kids are going to brush their teeth. His argument is perfectly valid.

 

[smiler]

You have this simplistic childish view that by not voting you're somehow revolting against the system. You aren't, you're being a spoiled brat. They prefer if you don't vote. So keep doing what they want. Meanwhile the folks who aren't spoiled brats will stay involved and try and push for real change.

No pal its you that doesn't get it. The system is corrupt, don't engage with it. They do not "prefer it" if you don't vote in fact they get very uptight about "turn out" and spend lots of money to encourage people to vote. When the turn out is low it becomes much harder to claim a mandate. I'm guess you don't fully understand how British government works. Not voting is in fact a very simple and very effective (if done on mass) act.

 

[terrancestamp]

"Withdraw in disgust is not the same as apathy"...love that Stipe line. Don't vote, I've never voted, and never will. Glad Moz has come around to this concept via Brand's not unique idea. If nobody voted then what the hell would the government do? If you keep voting like you are nothing will change. To get anything third party in the office would be difficult and you might not like what you get?

 

[smiler]

"Withdraw in disgust is not the same as apathy"...love that Stipe line. Don't vote, I've never voted, and never will. Glad Moz has come around to this concept via Brand's not unique idea. If nobody voted then what the hell would the government do? If you keep voting like you are nothing will change. To get anything third party in the office would be difficult and you might not like what you get?

It was the other way round Brand via Morrissey not Morrissey via Brand

 

[Anonymous]

its not what would the government do, its what would conglomerates do that they wouldnt be able to do otherwise with the government looking over there shoulder. privatized police, rampant workplace discrimination, environmental disaster etc. do you trust large conglomerates or the government more? ill take the government at all answerable to the public any day.

 

[Anonymous]

"Withdraw in disgust is not the same as apathy"...love that Stipe line. Don't vote, I've never voted, and never will. Glad Moz has come around to this concept via Brand's not unique idea. If nobody voted then what the hell would the government do? If you keep voting like you are nothing will change. To get anything third party in the office would be difficult and you might not like what you get?

If you believe you can decipher REM lyrics, good luck. But this one is unlikely to be a recommendation against voting.

 

[Anonymous]

No pal its you that doesn't get it. The system is corrupt, don't engage with it. They do not "prefer it" if you don't vote in fact they get very uptight about "turn out" and spend lots of money to encourage people to vote. When the turn out is low it becomes much harder to claim a mandate. I'm guess you don't fully understand how British government works. Not voting is in fact a very simple and very effective (if done on mass) act.

I hope you won't mind my saying so, but you're a complete f***ing idiot.

Not voting, en masse, is a "very effective act"? In what way? You clearly want to give the impression that you understand politics, so do enlighten me, please. I look forward to the next f***witted thing you're about to say.

The Tories have governing the UK since the last election, having secured less than 24% of the popular vote (36% of a 65% turnout), and they've not exactly been abashed in their social and economic policies.

I realise I've already made this point (and I'm sure I'll have to do so again): you're a complete f***ing ignoramus.