The Ballot Box

Ah, the mysteries of human nature. We are
nothing if not certifiably pathological in
the cynicism of our smug complacency that
among the political choices to be made only
democracy guarantees the will of the people
will be heard, respected and reflected in the
sacred compact between the governing elites
and the vast populations that squirm under
their lawful rule, unlike those unfortunates
who would vastly prefer to squirm accompanied
by the equality and freedom guarantees enabling
the dissatisfied to complain endlessly in their
futile critiques against the moral and political
economic and social investments to advance
the social weal. They who have little choice
but to be victimized, their liberties and human
rights suborned and violated through the
medium of oppressive, corrupt and powerful
regimes profiting the wealthy and those
with links to power we view with pity and
concern over their irredeemable plight in
life. Yet inexplicably when casting our ballots
with the confidence of those entitled to a
life of certainties and advancement for the
future, we empower the charlatans and racists
the egotists and the pretenders carrying on
the social contract and the long traditions of
superficial dedication to the public that their
lawmaking skills succeed in ensuring those
outcomes benefit not the many but those
like themselves skilled in the black magic
of statecraft advancing their singular interests
in outcomes eerily resembling the rule
of dictators and totalitarians, but politely.