Agree with much of what you say but important to not get rid of the successful elements of the common market, harmonisation of trading rules and taxes and freedom of movement imo. Standardisation of building policies, clean water and air and other stuff that is related to trade and commerce.
Pretty much all Western countries owe their historic success to the abuse and colonisation, rape and plundering of the rest of the globe.
The rest of the globe has caught up and imperialisim with gunship diplomacy whilst the countries get raped of their natural resources and labour are no longer possible.
West is unable to compete on the economic front. It's destabilising and interference of other nations still goes on. Especially by the US, UK and likes of France.
US has destroyed Latin America, whilst the EU did the same with Africa. ME is owned by the US and UK and Asia by various other actors to one level or another. What does the West expect when it bombs the shit out of so many countries and people look for safe harbour.
The West also has an aging population, living longer with numerous health conditions. Whilst the declining birth rate means a rising tax burden on the working population. The problem with migration will not go away. Migration must take place if economic growth and a stable tax base is desired. Simply that politicians will not level with you.
You are right on many other points however, that the old alliance NATO with the US and EU is looking very fragile since the Ukrainian war.
EU has been banking on the US market which is increasingly in hyper-priced territory and the more fertile economic grounds and energy sources are definitely Asia and Russia.
The geopolitical issues are quite dire but Joe public will not see them and politicians will point to migrants and they will be led with nonsense and vote for the simple stories because it cresses their well being. Changes are far more fundamental coupled with the challenges the West faces from economic competition coming from all other continents.
Whilst we are discussing it, another BIG factor is the skewed income distriubution and the inequitable salaries, our current society puts value on.
Capitalism is indeed up the khyber. It is absolutely CRAZY to have FTSE CEO's and even local authority leaders earning 160 times the median salary or £160K respectively, for doing average or less than average jobs.
Nurses being paid peanuts for doing life saving critical work.
Bonuses and salaries in millions paid to people who don't add value. The aristocracy is still with us.
Even planning laws favours those in power who are already well to do.
There are sooooo many unjust and really really FUCKED up rules and legislations that just need to be torn up.
I'm not talking about social payments to the sick and needy. Just business. Freaking councils charge a fortune in rates and local taxes starving local businesses of footfalls whilst monetizing cars and parking.
Local Councils are starved of money from Central government. Politicians tell lies/make promises to get votes. How can a parking ticket fine be £100s+ freaking pounds?
Problem is that the old boy network is still at play with salary numerations taking place behind closed doors. It's the elite CEOs with their noses in the troughs just rewarding each other. The pubic school system and the elite keep it within their own circles.
Humanity is corrupt and greedy. Capitalism breeds greed and needs to consume greater amounts making more money. Essentially in the US and UK we have the accumulation of capital in the hands of the few. To make the system continue more money is printed and goes to making the rich richer and poor poorer. Joe public are pointed to illegal migrants as being their root cause of problems because they do the jobs, below min wages without the business even paying employers NI contributions or taxes.
There are sooo many issues and it is difficult to see what the root cause of our problems are, but what I do know is it is not Russia, Terrorism or China.
I'd say it was our leadership as you point out. Our politicians. It is no longer about serving the people, but serving self interest. I mean look at how Covid costing £27bn has milked us. Or the £800bn given to financial institutions to bale them out of their own greed to make more money and paying bonuses that can not be justified. These monies have come out of all of us the tax payer. How can Matt Hancock walk away with £150m gain from this Covid fiasco.
We the people instead turn on each other. Take back control Cummings and Farage said. Almost 10 years later and what has been achieved. Can't blame the EU anymore. Let's blame Russians, migrants and those terrorists.
This article should take the debate to a higher level than my rant.
🙂
An epic analysis of 5,000 years of civilisation argues that a global collapse is coming unless inequality is vanquished
www.theguardian.com
sputnikglobe.com
southfront.press
