Voter apathy not about ignorance

[ViolentPanda]

Just bumped this thread from ages ago because I wanted to talk about apathy.

My family don't really talk about politics. They don't seem to have any political opinions. They seem happy with the status quo. My dad is an ex police man and my mum still works for the NHS. In their opinion its all about getting on the property ladder and working hard so that when you get to 65 you can sit back and relax.

My brother who is 6 years younger than me is getting involved in direct actions and things and they find it really uncomfortable. My dad who makes a point of voting doesn't agree with demonstrations as he believes that things should be decided through the ballot box only.

Then your dad is ignorant of history. he wouldn't even have the vote if it wasn't for generations of protesters demonstrating (and some dying) for the right to vote.

My gran who worked in clothing factories all her life just laughs when you talk about politics as according to her 'you never change anything' (she still uses the NHS although according to her political philosophy it shouldn't exist).

Despite being pretty a-political or in favour of the status quo religion is seen as something to be respected especially by my mum. They seem to respect religion more than politics even though in politics there is the slight chance (talking about parliamentary politics) you could influence something.

Their emphasis in life is about getting on the property ladder. Charity begins at home. They despise human rights with a passion.

just needed to rant about them tbh

I think this is called working class deference and quite common in the North

"Working class deference" is a good disguise for laziness.

 

[ViolentPanda]

They sound like really nice, decent sensible people.

To a schlemiel like yourself, they would.

 

[ViolentPanda]

ha! our generation should be so lucky!!



dunno about that tbh.

Quite.

You're a right bunch of chippy bastards up there!

 

[Streathamite]

I'm rather pleased with what the media label 'apathy', because that isn't what it really is. It's that people have rumbled the current system for the rotten, stinking pile of shite it is, and are turning their backs on it as a lost cause. And that will create a vacuum for poular expression and involvement, which will eventually - hopefully - be filled by something genuinely challenging and radical. Though heaven knows precisely what form that will take.
In other words, it ain't 'apathy' - it's wisdom

 

[Streathamite]

Just sounds like more of the same to me...Preety pointless.What impact do you hope to have?

the same huge impact that genuine, dynamic grassroots movements have had throughout history - as the only way real change is ever achieved