Eight weeks have elapsed since my last blog. It has been a time for me to withdraw and contemplate what is going on with our society, state, nation and the world. Much has happened so quickly in that short space of time. Our current inclination as a society is to consider everything through a political lens but that narrows our view like a microscope minimises the large to concentrate on the minute.
Rather, we need a telescope, which reduces big pictures to a level where we can consider the great themes of life in an intelligible way.
The big picture is that the world is working its way to an increasingly messed-up condition with increased momentum, with economic, social, political and religious upheaval everywhere. Stable management from any quarter seems less visible and, even if it does raise its head above the waves of instability, appears less capable of achieving anything useful.
Many ‘leaders’ are talking more and doing less. Since the appearance of COVID-19 many of them have fallen short of our (and their own) expectations. I will concentrate on Australia because that is where I live. Our ‘leaders’ (elected and unelected) are peering into microscopes (figuratively and literally) to untangle the minutiae of this virus. Sure, we cannot ignore the existence of this virus—but for how long is it going to dominate every aspect of our lives?
Perhaps it is time to change perspective and look through the telescope to bring the broader picture into view. That is one involving broader health and social issues; economic outcomes for people crushed by government policy; the nation’s financial and political weakness. Like never before, we a two-sector economy: politicians and public servants in one sector and everyone else in the other. One group has suffered little but the other has been crushed by a recession incurred by government directive.
The constitutional framework of Australia has been traversed by state border closures that are illegal, yet the Commonwealth (a strange description at present!) Government did nothing to stop this blatant greediness for ‘self-preservation’ at the expense (emotional, financial and otherwise) of most Australians. Political motivations for these decisions were as significant as any health considerations. Fundamental freedoms have been trampled underfoot in a manner reminiscent of fascist/communist regimes of last century. But most people in Australia (like most people around the world) do not seem to care. Authoritarianism seems to have a hypnotic power over the masses.
Liberal and Labor governments have spent huge sums on quickly-imagined whims with little thought for the future consequences of such extravagance. They will have left office decades before my granddaughter will still be paying off their legacy of extraordinary levels of state and federal debt.
The social cost of suicide/depression, unemployment, family disruption, undiagnosed illnesses, etc. will trickle on for years. There is no rescue plan for these victims.
In the meantime, left-wing politicians are undermining social cohesion with increasing activity and legislation. The norms of the past, which underpinned civil society are being trashed by those who hate democracy and the rights of individuals.
‘So, what are you going to do about it?’, people ask. My response is not violence but activism and courage. Write to politicians who determine this legislation and make policies. Talk to others about your concerns instead of being frightened of rejection. Use technology to advantage by broadcasting your message.
Follow Paul’s advice: Be joyful in hope, persevere in tribulation, be faithful in prayer. (Rom 12:12)
