Gold Digger

Why do people vote for right-wing politicians? It’s a question that has popped into my brain on many occasions. I just can’t make sense of it. Whilst my ‘ideological’ beliefs are what right-wingers would most definitely call “left-ist”, I do not subscribe to any of the current (or past) “left-wing” political parties. What the hell does “left-wing” actually mean? Or “right-wing” for that matter. The whole concept of “right-wing” and “left-wing” has no value to me. It is based on a purely arbitary categorizing (and over-simplification) of idealogy. A ‘categorizing’ that in fact has its origins in what side of a room politicians sat. Which is ridiculous, when you think about it. The whole concept of “left-wing” and “right-wing” is based on a seating arrangement. It means that you sit over there and I sit over here. Which actually does make sense, in metaphorical terms…

But, it is still an unsatisfying way of describing the myriad of idealogical and socialogical beliefs that are held by the collective Human race. Surely we need a room that has more than two sides? The terms “left-wing” and “right-wing” is tantamount to saying that things are just black and white. Which we all know (in both life and politics) is absolutely not the case. However, these are the labels that we must contend with.

So back to my question. “Why do people vote for right-wing politicians”? If we look at the track record of past and present “right-wing” governments you can guarantee that much of the following will happen when a country votes a “right-wing” party into power:

a) the gap between rich and poor will grow
b) the quality of education available for the population in general will decrease
c) the quality of health care available for the population in general will decrease
d) taxes will be cut, contributing to all of the above
e) the country will go to war, the cost of which enhances b), c) and in some cases a)
f) the economy/civil infrastructure will suffer long term damage, caused by all of the above
g) civil/constitutional rights will be eroded
h) tacit or direct approval of human rights abuses / torture

From the policies they have implemented, “right-wing” politicans seem to believe that most of the above are ok. The obvious example is, of course, the recent Bush administration in America. George W and his cronies managed to tick the box on all eight points. Unfettered free-marketism, de-regulation, privatisation, the “trickle-down effect” of wealth distribution – these are all policies that have now been discredited. The current economic crisis that has beset the Western world is evidence enough. Ultra-nationalism, the use of force over diplomacy, retribution over reconciliation and the merging of Religion and the State (all “right-wing” ideologies) have lead to deepening global conflict, persecution and insecurity. Historical and current events show this.

During the past 15 years, we in the West have seen an overwhelming shift to the “right” (or “centre-ground” as it’s often put) in our politics. Across Europe and the UK, political parties who were traditionally on the “left” have discarded much of their Socialist ideology and adopted more “right-wing” policies. Our current British “New Labour” government is a prime example. Looking around the world today, the aftermath of this shift to the “right” has been: the “credit crunch”, war, social discontent, increased poverty. Not a good result, is it?

Which is why it baffles me that people would even consider voting for “right-wing” parties. Their economic policies consistently produce short-term gains for the few leading to financial meltdown for the many. Their belligerent “Hawkish” approachs to foreign policy encourage war and disunity. Their conservative social beliefs result in civil dischord and the neglect of public infrastructure/institutions. A lot of them think guns and capital punishment are cool. Time and time again, their politicians are exposed for corruption and/or immoral behaviour: Silvio Berlusconi (tax fraud); Jeffrey Archer (perjury); Sarah Palin (Troopergate); Richard Nixon (Watergate); Ronald Regan (Iran-Contra affair); Ehud Olmert (corruption); Ariel Sharon (Sabra & Chatila); Jacques Chirac (Clearstream); Helmut Kohl (corruption); Tony Blair (cash-for-honours); the list goes on…

More than any other type of politician, “right-wingers” sell a vision that is just smoke and mirrors. When in government they almost always wreak havoc on society and the economy. To me, it makes no sense to put these sort of people in a position of power. They’ll just screw it up or rip us all off. Plus, they’ll probably kill a bunch of people.

     Other blog posts by this author:
     1. Freedom of Speech?
     2. Schlock of Love
     3. Rave On
     4. Balls of Titanium (or not)
     5. The Gold Digger album has gone to press!