Dissent in a democracy

 

How does a government respond, in a democracy, to regular posts on social media suggesting they are wrong?
a) ignore them
b) ignore them, we won an election
c) ignore them and arrest people saying similar things on the street
d) criminalize those they arrest thus putting fear into others that they will have the same fate
But this is not
Russia
China
somewhere in the Southern hemisphere
it's in Europe the bastion of democracy, post WW2 and Cold War, many years of 'peace'.
So what is this really about?
A deal with the USA and Israel?
A clampdown on protest because there is worse to come?
A Labour Party that believes its necessary for a future election win?
A leader who believes showing strength will stop others doing so?
What it says to me is democracy has never been about siding with the poor, vulnerable, weak, it's always been about a siding with a system set up by those in power to maintain and improve their lives. But selling it  as necessary for our lives. It's not. 🤔

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