Brexit - Politics - Sleepless Dystopian - dystopian cyberpunk writer2024-03-28T15:09:43Zhttps://sleeplessdystopian.com/politics/feed/category/BrexitGaslighting the British Publichttps://sleeplessdystopian.com/politics/gaslighting-the-british-public2021-07-17T11:00:06.000Z2021-07-17T11:00:06.000Zi am Sam i amhttps://sleeplessdystopian.com/members/mentalistpoet<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9260736265?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>So, what is really going on right now? What is the truth? Whilst BoJo and his team of co-conspirators look to dismantle the NHS and crash it during a plague. As he and his cronies have said “let the bodies pile high” and then gaslight us with repeating failed concepts; experimenting with the immunity of the heard. Using a metaphor that leaves the British public framed as not just animals and beasts but ones that are tamed, controlled and devoured by their masters. It is clear they have one thing on their agenda: the economy.</p>
<p>For the economy read the bank balances of them and their buddies for which all us, as beasts, are expendable. And whilst his Virgin lobbyist 1%’ers dazzle and distract us by dancing around in space as they ripped new holes in the ozone, the truth goes unnoticed. As we paid for Branson and his cohorts to take their flights of fancy by the many tax avoidance schemes of the billionaire club, he lies to the poor children of the 99% remaining by saying that as a child he had a dream and made it happen so can they, no they can’t. Not with the systems in place today that keep even the basics you, Mr. Branson had in your middle-class upbringing out of reach and drive the gap between the 1% club and the rest of us by increasing the cost of living to further line your pockets. All the time you lobby parliament and government for more freedom for you and further erosion for the rest of us.</p>
<p>Friend of the people Branson himself did his best to bring the NHS to its knees when Virgin Care didn’t win a contract in surrey. No doubt some of that helped pay for his seat on his own spaceship. Of course, we do sympathise with a man worth an estimated £4billion when he needs a bailout for Virgin Atlantic amidst the greatest plague of our lives so far. But he had his priorities in order, of course, we peasant class can’t even fly off on holiday, his airline staff are no doubt lining up at food banks and definitely doesn’t objectify women to promote his brand and he rubs our faces in it with his galactic adventures. But this entrepreneurial environmentalist at least kept the emissions down to an estimated equivalent of 278 world citizens for those wonderful three minutes of weightlessness. With his chums' <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevebanker/2021/07/12/space-flight-for-fun-billionaire-egotism-trumps-sustainability/?sh=4a80bde859cb" target="_blank">Musk and Bezos’s looking forward to joining the 50-mile, altitude above earth, high club</a>. </p>
<p>All of this plays into BoJo’s agenda of course; distract the public by real-life Tony Stark like characters flying to outer space, on a ship the 99% will never see the inside of, on money stolen from the British taxpayer as they remind the heard of their place by rubbing their noses in it. But of course, we should be thankful for all of the entertainment it gives us along the way.</p>
<p>All of this pays into BoJo’s agenda of distraction, focus on the economy over public health or safety and reminding people that anyone can get to where Branson is if only, they work hard enough; only they can’t.</p>
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<p>Meanwhile down on earth, <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2021/07/boris-johnson-minister-of-chaos/619010/" target="_blank">the minister of chaos</a> decides to throw caution, and some say his former health sectary, NHS, and the British public, to the wind. Or is it under the bus? For the sake of the economy.</p>
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<p>As he scratches around desperately trying to make Brexit work by trampling all over our privacy rights in the rush to join the Comprehensive and Progress Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership</p>
<p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GQJVChsk0vM" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p>
<p>And at the same time, living in fear of the online activists and street protesters he wants to suppress your voice to complain about it with the <a href="https://www.openrightsgroup.org/blog/access-denied-service-blocking-in-the-online-safety-bill/" target="_blank">Online Safety Bill,</a> <a href="https://action.openrightsgroup.org/tell-your-mp-stop-digital-police-state" target="_blank">The Digital Police State</a> and <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/policing-bill-protest-laws-kill-vote-b1878417.html" target="_blank">removing your right to protest.</a></p>
<p>Clearly, BoJo and his clowns fear the power of the public. They have seen the great work achieved by activists online and off, with generating media attention for their causes. Even the ridiculous attempts by the police to label Extinction Rebellions and Black Lives Matter as extremist organisations, because of how impactful they are let’s face it, have only helped to swell support for these causes. So now, under the guise of protecting the public AKA big business and the economy, the draconian laws are being put through parliament.</p>
<p>At the same time BoJo and his chums, all of which got rich off both the pandemic and the fallout from Brexit, decide to experiment with the lives of the British public by lifting all restrictions on Monday. Of course, we should not forget that he is banking on “the common sense and decency of the British people” a great example of this we saw at the riots before the Euro 2021 final in London, the crowded facemask-less masses of social distancing conscience white men hugging strangers after each goal and the lovely comments of support our black footballers got from the racist faceless cowards online.</p>
<p>But it is ok, despite BoJo disparaging footballers for taking the knee and getting into politics, he does think the social media companies should do something about the racist abuse. Not the Government of course they only have the power to prosecute where are the social media companies have the power to suppress and delete comments, that is much more important. The fact that these young black footballers have done more for society and to feed children than he and his government has ever done and the fact they had to step in when the government wouldn’t he doesn’t think they should play politics. Even despite describing them as the very best of the British public.</p>
<p>BoJo does at least give straight answers to questions from the public and media during news conferences and during PM question time and in no way ignores the questions, deflects, and gaslights that wonderful British public he so loves and cherishes.</p>
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<p>If you note a change of tone on this article this is part of a bid to use the things that AI bots and algorithms can’t understand to prevent suppression in search engine rankings and of social posts. Using satire, sarcasm, metaphors, and similes apparently confuses them. So, let’s disrupt these digital architectures of control and chaos and get our messages heard.</p>
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<p> </p></div>Why are Trumpers, Brexiteers and Tory supporters so angry?https://sleeplessdystopian.com/politics/why-are-trumpers-brexiteers-and-tory-supporters-so-angry2020-01-07T21:25:28.000Z2020-01-07T21:25:28.000Zi am Sam i amhttps://sleeplessdystopian.com/members/mentalistpoet<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3805812594?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>Why are Trumpers, Brexiteers and Tory supporters so angry? After all, they won. So why do we see and hear them continually getting wound up and shouting, even screaming at the other side? </p>
<p>Do they honestly think that once an election or referendum has finished that the other side should just shut up be quiet and not say another word? Do they not know how democracy works? Neither the US nor the UK is in a dictatorship (yet). But still, they seem to think that the other side does not have the right to voice an opinion, to question deals and new legislation. </p>
<p>From the ludicrous chants of “lock her up” at Trump rallies aimed at Hillary who isn’t even a politician anymore, to call out anyone who disagrees with them as committing treason, undemocratic or unconstitutional, they seem to get angry at the slightest of things. Their blood pressure readings must be off the charts. </p>
<p>Pro Brexit supporters screaming at remainers online, saying things like “Out means out, deal or no deal” even though the phrase “no-deal” did not start to be used until after the Brexit result they will swear blind that is what they voted for. </p>
<p>Why are they so angry when they have won? Because people with opposing views dare to question them? Or challenge what they say? The fact that they try to debate how change could happen? If they genuinely believed and loved the democracy, they so dearly hold onto they should indeed welcome, even ask for debate to ensure that everything is then planned out properly looking at it from every possible angle. </p>
<p>It really does beggar belief. If the shoe was on the other foot, how would they act? How did they work in the past? </p>
<p>Still, when we see news like the Lib Dems set to challenge how Brexit was handled in the first place; the media stokes up the fury. Branding it as “ridiculous”, “pathetic” going as far as to say that it’s a “sly move has enraged Britons”(as if they speak for all Briton) calling it “hideous” and stating the “fury” this has caused on social media. As opposed to saying they have a democratic right to ask for further investigation into the government’s handling of it. </p>
<p>The debate is the lifeblood of democracy. Differing opinions is what drives it forward. It shapes change and develops a better understanding. Instead, people today seem to prefer to act like children sticking their fingers in their ears and saying “I am not listening” every time someone states an opposite point of view. </p>
<p>Don’t get me wrong this issue seems to be one of the left and the right. The closing down of debate by calling out the opposition for saying the wrong thing or for differing views seems to have become the norm. And some on the far left can be as bad as those on the right; in losing their temper in these debates. </p>
<p>To me the extreme angry reactions of the right or the extreme political correctness and over-sensitivity on the left are both tools and techniques used by either side close down debate, to stop the conversation by making the other side look bad. </p>
<p>None of this is democratic, none of it is helping us move forward as countries or societies. We need to find a way through this. We need to open up debate and try to regulate our emotional responses when doing so to bring out differing opinions that can be discussed rationally with critical thinking. </p>
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</div></div>Pushing for a no deal Brexit is Unpatriotic https://sleeplessdystopian.com/politics/pushing-for-a-no-deal-brexit-is-unpatriotic2019-06-16T12:17:40.000Z2019-06-16T12:17:40.000Zi am Sam i amhttps://sleeplessdystopian.com/members/mentalistpoet<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/113990680?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p><span data-contrast="auto">Pushing for a no deal Brexit is clearly Unpatriotic yet it seems like the mainstay of Brexiteers and Conservative Leadship Hopefuls?</span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Whether we voted to remain or leave, I voted to remain so let's get my position out there at the start, the fact remains that the democratic process was followed. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">We can scream, shout and protest about it all we want but as it stands today that doesn’t seem to be working. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">So</span><span data-contrast="auto">,</span> <span data-contrast="auto">what now?</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Deal or no deal? Months on that is still the question.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">When watching the lead up to the referendum it was clear to me, as someone who analyses marketing and communication that there was a lot of misdirection going on. That there was clearly an agenda of fear be</span> <span data-contrast="auto">perp</span><span data-contrast="auto">e</span><span data-contrast="auto">trated</span> <span data-contrast="auto">and stoked up by the media and that one side clearly had better funding and strategy than the other.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The Vote Leave and Brexit campaigns were clearly better put together and more targeted in their message and their approach. The Vote Remain was complacent at best, assuming it was a done deal.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">With the language of fear used and stoked up by the media the campaign to leave on the grounds of protecting Britain from the threats of mass immigration, terrorism and EU bureaucracy</span> <span data-contrast="auto">where</span> <span data-contrast="auto">are all well documented. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">However, now we face the issue of leaving the EU with or without a deal. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">a</span><span data-contrast="auto">And what surprises me most about this is that the same characters that were pushing leave and Brexit on the basis of nationalistic pride and security are now calling for a no deal!</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">This is both shocking and worrying, mainly because their supporters cannot see the</span> <span data-contrast="auto">hypocrisy</span> <span data-contrast="auto">in this.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">When the goal was to leave based on national pride, security and (to steal a phrase) “making Britain Great again”, I didn’t like it, but I understood their position and their agenda. I could understand their framing and could challenge it in my own way.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">When it comes to a no deal Brexit though it astounds me that the same people are pushing for it. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Leaving with no deal in October will mean catastrophic</span> <span data-contrast="auto">economic</span> <span data-contrast="auto">damage for the UK. As bad if not worse than the 2008 crash. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">You do not need to be an economist to figure out that no deal on trade means no trade...... let me state that again... no deal = no trade = recession. This is not a hard concept to understand. Recession = job losses, downward turning economy and widening social and market polarization. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">And it's not like under the austerity measures put in place since the 2008 crash that we have a robust social</span> <span data-contrast="auto">welfare</span> <span data-contrast="auto">system that will help out those losing their jobs and homes. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">With no deal in place we will not be able to trade with EU countries. Yes, new deals could be struck but these could take months even years to sort out (as our present record shows), in the meantime the economy will spiral out of control as factories and business shut unable to import or export their products. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">With no deal in place we will also be negotiating from a backfoot weaken position. Meaning whatever</span> <span data-contrast="auto">deals,</span> <span data-contrast="auto">we get after that will be significantly worse than the position we are in now and not good for the UK economy. And if we think we can rely on deal with Trump and his cohort to bail us out, let’s be clear the only reason he is pushing this agenda is for what is in it for him and the US, read this article for more on that</span> <a href="https://www.politics.co.uk/comment-analysis/2019/06/03/trump-s-uk-trade-deal-an-abusive-relationship-with-a-now-vul"><span data-contrast="none">https://www.politics.co.uk/comment-analysis/2019/06/03/trump-s-uk-trade-deal-an-abusive-relationship-with-a-now-vul</span></a><span data-contrast="auto">. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">So</span> <span data-contrast="auto">for all that bother to look and investigate it begs the question: how is a no deal Brexit good for our national security and economy? How is a no deal Brexit patriotic? </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Surely entering into productive negotiations and not giving up until we get an exit deal that is good for the UK and our EU</span> <span data-contrast="auto">neighbours</span> <span data-contrast="auto">is the most patriotic option of all.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
</div>Brexit, deal or no deal that is the question?https://sleeplessdystopian.com/politics/brexit-yet-again-uk-politicians-have-failed-to-make-a-decision2019-03-29T20:51:24.000Z2019-03-29T20:51:24.000Zi am Sam i amhttps://sleeplessdystopian.com/members/mentalistpoet<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1718166772?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p><span data-contrast="none">Brexit, yet again UK politicians have failed to make a decision or unite to lead us in the decision made by British public. Don’t get me wrong I do not want to Leave the EU. I voted to remain. And ever since I have said there was never anything more stupid than letting the public make a decision that we are to uneducated and unqualified to make. But that is what the Tories did and now we are where we are. A manipulated and poorly informed public made a stupid decision. But democracies are full of stupid decisions and it is up to our elected officials to deliver on the results the people voted for.</span> <span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":-360,"335559739":120,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Maybe it’s the fact that politicians usually get voted in on false promises that they can forget and distract the public from the fact they never deliver on. Maybe that is why these </span><span data-contrast="none">imbeciles are so incapable of delivering a result of a united front to deliver a good Brexit deal post leave day.</span> <span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":-360,"335559739":120,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">They are too busy thinking about their own political careers post Brexit rather than focusing on what is right for the UK. Forget trying to push for a second vote. And worse still forget pushing for a no deal.</span> <span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":-360,"335559739":120,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Who are these people that want and no deal?</span> <span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":-360,"335559739":120,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">They promote their nationalistic pride whilst wanting to see the UK crash and burn into a possible recession with no trade agreements and locked down borders.</span> <span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":-360,"335559739":120,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">They will dress that up as scaremongering but with no trade agreement deals then guess what! That means no trading across borders. It’s not fucking rocket science. A no deal means a hard Brexit, a hard Brexit means no transition period.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":-360,"335559739":120,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">A no deal is the worst outcome for the UK. But then it seems that some people just want to see the world burn, and they are starting here.    </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":-360,"335559739":120,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">No deal would also mean that all of the international trade agreements we are signed up to, as being part of the EU, would no longer apply. Meaning new deals would have to be drawn up.</span> <span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":-360,"335559739":120,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">When negotiating any deal, you do not want the other side knowing your weaknesses or the fact of how much you need that deal. If they do, they have the upper hand and the deal will be better for them than it is for you. No deal means we are rich for the picking from the circling vultures.</span> <span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":-360,"335559739":120,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Either way you look at it the UK and its political leaders look weak and pathetic to the rest of the world. And that is because that’s what we are. The false promises, lies and harking back to “better days” proliferated during the Brexit and Vote Leave campaigning have left the UK in the worst possible position.</span> <span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":-360,"335559739":120,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
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