It is evident, therefore, that we must begin by asking, Who is the citizen, and what is the meaning of the term? For here again there may be a difference of opinion. He who is a citizen in a democracy will often not be a citizen in an oligarcy. Leaving out of consideration those who have been made citizens, or who have obtained the name of citizen in any other accidental manner, we may say, first, that a citizen is not a citizen because he lives in a certain place, for resident aliens and slaves share in the place; nor is he a citizen who has no legal right except that of suing and being sued; for this right may be enjoyed under the provisions of a treaty. […] But the citizen we are seeking to define is a citizen in the strictest sense, against whom no such exception can be taken, and his special characteristic is that he shares in the administration of justice, and in offices.
- Aristotle Politics Book 3 Chapter 1
With all the big bru-ha-ha over the recent Tucker Carlson’s interview of Mike Benz, and the fall out over that, I just had to laugh.
Because, again, people are taken in by the false promises of their mistress Libertas.
The whore that runs off to whoever pays the most.
And, in a capitalist society,
A ‘democracy’
Do you, dear reader,
have the most money to buy her love for the night?
As the following image from Slaving Away shows, you likely don’t:
So, why are you surprised that your votes don’t matter?
That there’s a uniparty always out to get you?
One will always be out to “favor the little guy” and supposedly enact policies that end up raising taxes to support their favored in-groups.
The other demolishes regulations saying they like “small government” but only does so in a way that helps large businesses, hurting small business that can’t go through the regulatory capture.
Taxes never decrease.
Immigration never stops
Wars never end.
Votes never matter.
Policies never get reversed.
Your
Vote
Doesn’t
Matter.
Because, in the end, you’re not a citizen.
So says Aristotle.
So says the facts and patterns.
So stop deluding yourself. Stop longing after the whore of Libertas.
And start thinking about what you’ll do about reclaiming your life.
Again, shall we say that while the race of inhabitants, as well as their place of abode, remain the same, the city is also the same, although the citizens are always dying and being born, as we call rivers and fountains the same, although the water is always flowing away and coming again? Or shall we say that the generations of men, like the rivers, are the same, but that the state changes? For, since the state is a partnership, and is a partnership of citizens in a constitution, when the form of the government changes, and becomes different, then it may be supposed that the state is no longer the same, just as a tragic differs from a comic chorus, although the members of both may be identical.
- Aristotle Politics Book 3 Chapter 4
This article feels incomplete- I don't want to disagree with you, as I do feel like politics are inordinately distant from the average citizen. But this is a complaint bracketed by Aristotle quotes. I also wouldn't assume Aristotle necessarily sides with 'the common man'. He tends to glorify elitism which on the scale of a modern state yields just what we have.
Do you have any ideas specifically about what to do?
Personally, I've been working on a piece about concentrating more locally on building businesses and institutions and becoming more active in local politics- in a sense, bring back the polis where you sort of know who's ruling, because you see them around town. At present, we're ruled by a government whom most of us have never *seen* in person. That leaves them much latitude to say "not in my backyard" (because, let's face it, all of their backyards are in Westchester, Malibu, or Nantucket).
I suddenly want her at any price…
She will be mine .