Where Do We Fit in Society?
By Shiva
@Shiva49 (26684)
Singapore
August 30, 2022 9:41am CST
We are all part of society wherever we are from. It is a challenge not only to fit in but also to play a meaningful role.
Most of us enjoy the freedom of speech and can exchange ideas without fear. There are of course limits not to overstep the line and create strife and hatred.
Despite the increasing reach to communicate with others, I have felt we are mere tools and get easily divided by a few wily politicians. They are not leaders but with a limited vision tuned to self-preservation and toeing their party interests.
Is there a system where our interests come foremost? Is it not in our interests, or our right, that we are treated as a single unit? Now our supposed leaders fight among themselves 24/7 to shout that others are to blame while they are all in the same boat with us as passengers. We are left to hope they don’t rock our boats in the bargain.
In the end, whoever we elect is cast from the same mold and the discordant music continues while we fight on to stay alive in the murky environment, not of our making.
What will be my take at the end of the day? Maybe, left punching below my weight due to circumstances stacked against me. Gandhi said,” Be the change you want to see in the world”.
However, my reach is very limited unless I become a leader and end up as another politician with self-interests overcoming my thoughts and actions! Politics has become a cesspool, sadly.
Do you also think along my lines at times?
Image: Society from free media site Pixabay
15 people like this
15 responses
@mythociate (21432)
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
30 Aug 22
"The customer is always right!" is 'The Golden Rule' of the retail-world, right? That tells me that most sellers (and who's not trying to sell something ... even if it's "yourself" to a potential employer or -spouse?) regard everyone as 'a potential customer.' That's one reason it seems rude to disagree with anyone---because we're taught that people who disagree with you won't buy from you.
(Here I'm using 'buy' both in the "give money in order to take"-sense and the "believe what you hear"-sense.)
That's the ultimate 'power' we have---the freedom to buy what's being sold and the power to sell what people are buying (the reason why The Bible's end-times prophecy makes such a big deal about 'only being able to buy-or-sell if you have "The Mark of The Beast in your forehead" (which Pastor Arnold Murray always reminds us means "on your mind"').
4 people like this
@Shiva49 (26684)
• Singapore
30 Aug 22
Yes, the ultimate power resides in us. We also get the leaders we deserve too.
Maybe, we are treated as commodities too and expendable.
However, we get kicked around and made to dance to the tune of a few from time immemorial.
Sadly, our interests are ignored - to live in peace and not get dragged into conflicts to benefit others.
3 people like this
@mythociate (21432)
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
30 Aug 22
@Shiva49 We probably don't want to admit it; but we grow up dreaming of 'when we're BIG and others have to do what WE say.'
Oh, we "mature" and know that 'others will only do what WE say after we've gained authority that proves that "what we say" is RIGHT'; but we do it for basically the same reason ('so that others have to do what WE say').
3 people like this
@Shiva49 (26684)
• Singapore
30 Aug 22
@mythociate Yes, we may wonder why the rich behave the way they do in terms of hoarding wealth beyond the needs of even generations down their line.
But if we had that type of money, we may be just like them!
And power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
The new kid on the block, China, wants its neighbors to toe their line and Russia "fall in line or face the consequences". The big boss thunders - You are all entitled to "my opinion"
The smaller nations can run but cannot hide!
3 people like this
@snowy22315 (180769)
• United States
19 Sep 22
I am mystified as to how certain politicians get elected honestly.
2 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (89883)
• Arvada, Colorado
30 Aug 22
I do think very much the same as you Shiva. You explained it precisely.
I say the common folk of us understand that our interests are never at the heart of politics.
I only fit in on myLot only
2 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (89883)
• Arvada, Colorado
30 Aug 22
@Shiva49 You have said so eloquently Shiva so precise...I shall remember this one your words..the theater of absurdity
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26684)
• Singapore
30 Aug 22
@RebeccasFarm Thanks for the kind words, Ocean Tiara.
Maybe, we have to wait for a while for a more inclusive journey.
It is proving to be a steep learning curve but we shall overcome it eventually.
Let us take inspiration from Noah's Ark.
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
30 Aug 22
I certainly agree with you on politics these days. The political scene is so divisive and repulsive.
The problem is that we are helpless as a society. I cast my vote for those who best share my values and hope they succeed. Unfortunately, they either don’t or can’t.
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (35615)
•
17 Sep 22
Politics have always been an arena of self-preservation among its inhabitants. It's what they can say to deceive the people to remain in power and getting re-elected. Issues today have become not what's best for everyone to thrive, but irrational ideals, catered to a minute minority of people, and if you disagree, you are disparaged and cancelled. No matter how ridiculous the policy, politicians in power today have found an ally in a radical voice, who uses emotion rather than logic to perpetuate a goal. With these allies for support, the public is often misled and lied to, and they willingly follow these leaders without question. While those in opposition who question the effectiveness of said policies are put on watch lists, arrested, harassed, and have their lives destroyed by the government in power.
If these leaders are not held accountable and voted out and replaced with good meaning citizens who have everyone's prosperity at heart, then I believe in my country we are headed for another kind of Civil War. God help us!
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26684)
• Singapore
17 Sep 22
That is a real possibility and it is time to cry halt - thus far and no further.
I think we have crossed the danger mark and nearing the brink.
There are always the glib talkers who lead us down the garden path.
They highlight how incompetent the incumbents are but when elected they prove worse than their predecessors. All are equally bad if not worse! And people are left hoping against hope for a new dawn.
Democracy and freedom without rule of law is anarchy and there can never be unlimited freedom.
I cannot go on to the center of a crowded street and swing my arms around in the name of freedom unmindful of the people around me.
1 person likes this
@Jenaisle (14078)
• Philippines
14 Sep 22
I agree with you. Many politicians use their clout for their self-interest or their party's. Nevertheless, I also agree that "be the change you want to see in the world."
If we come together unified with one purpose we could do it. It's like a stick broom - it is only one, it can't do anything, but when there are many, it can sweep even the largest area.
2 people like this
@marguicha (223028)
• Chile
30 Aug 22
I don´t pretend to change society. My aim has been my children, my grandkids and a few close friends. And I don´t mean to change them either but to relate to them.
2 people like this
@innertalks (21916)
• Australia
30 Aug 22
Some never try to fit into any society, but prefer to be fringe dwellers instead.
I do not like being labelled myself. And, I usually never tell anyone that I am an Australian, as that is a label too.
But, we can never totally remove ourselves from society, as society is the lifeblood of us all.
We just need to try to rid society of the leeches, the bloodsuckers, who like to get fat, on the blood, and hard work, of others, while doing as little as possible themselves.
Only love can prevent people from bleeding others dry, as real love gives of itself, without ever needing to replenish its own coffers.
@innertalks (21916)
• Australia
31 Aug 22
@Shiva49 Even here in a supposedly democratic country, the average ordinary people are being slowly drowned in debt, and the rich are getting richer.
We can't afford to get sick here now either, as the medical system is so hopeless, underfunded, and understaffed.
Democracy is haemorrhaging at its seams all over the world, I think.
@Shiva49 (26684)
• Singapore
1 Sep 22
@innertalks I used to hear - it is cheaper to die than fall sick!
The unfortunate reality is a few manage to hold on to power and they are those who manipulate the system. They divide the citizens who trust them and want to be left alone.
The real leaders are afraid to test the murky water and a cesspool.
If they step in - they are also painted with the same brush - a self-serving lot.
So it is open sesame only to the crooked!
Of course, some western liberal democracies seem to work well.
1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (26684)
• Singapore
31 Aug 22
In some countries, the political system of democracy and freedom, which is supposed to be the elixir of governance, hardly benefits the citizens.
Their leaders lie through their teeth to stay in power and those eyeing power with lofty promises soon prove worse than those they replaced.
1 person likes this
@zhangxueying (3342)
• China
30 Aug 22
I think I live at the bottom of society.We can't decide who will be the leader.
2 people like this
