National Depression
Heard an interview with an American on Radio 4 this morning. He commented that having spent a day in the UK he has sensed a general apathy caused by the feeling that no matter what anyone does it won't affect the actions of the government. This is not so in the US where at least they have an election! It sounds true to me and I see it as a national depression. It's inevitable that the government will continue to do things that make my life more difficult and expensive to live.
Has the nation lost hope?
Has the nation lost hope?
posted by Peter and Heather King at 1:31 pm
3 Comments:
Hmmm, depression - maybe, apathy - well aren't we all? But Americans having more political savvy than the UK! Come on Pete - how on earth do you think they ended up with Bush Jnr? Most Americans know virtually nothing about politics - how else could Arnie end up as Governor of California? Smile and the world smiles with you ;o) I remember when Labour lost out to John Major because Kinnock (regretfully he now admits) adopted the American razzmatazz style of campaigning and even though they were ahead in the polls they blew it by tipping it over the edge at their final rally in Sheffield - I agree about the apathy/inertia but the only way to beat it is to rise above it – maybe emerging church needs to consider how we energise ourselves and our communities. . . . political activism?
I never meant to imply that Americans are more politically aware! I do a lot of work in co-operation with (possibly despite) Americans and visit fairly frequently. Their view of the world is highly parochial and they are generally incapable of discussing anything remotely political. Mostly they have deeply entrenched views. They do, however, have optimism! Maybe they're just plain stupid and can't see all the problems? Certainly the average American doesn't even know that there's an alternative world view. The thought that the imposition of their culture on another is seen as a threat doesn't even compute. Their optimism is a form of freedom, though, and they tend to have a "can-do" attitude rather different from the European "how can we stop it" attitude.
Optimism I am all in favour of and a 'can do' mentality has to be a good thing - I agree that our american cousins are better at adopting these outlooks and of course, as you say, this can lead to denial of the 'real' world if the balance tips - I'd like to think (and I'm trying to practice) that if we in the UK could have more self belief and be positive about the impact our lives can have then we might be surprised at the results. To quote from Dead Poets Society, who in turn quotes Walt Whitman,
"'O me! O life!... of the questions of these recurring; of the endless trains of the faithless--of cities filled with the foolish; what good amid these, O me, O life?' Answer. That you are here--that life exists, and identity; that the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. That the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?"
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