Thinking politically / socially-engaged songs (4)

I have to give it to Karn Evil 9. Never has dystopia been embodied so well in a piece. The anti-consumerist and conservationist messaging is poignant as ever.

Progosopher wrote: I like how extended suites have been included because I rarely listen to one part of them alone.

presdoug wrote: Things are going to get worse, not only in other spots of the world like the Middle East and poor Ukraine, but here in places like Canada. And as the environment continues to go down the tubes, globally, and it will continue to do so, we have all got it coming....

There have been some terms like communism and socialism being tossed around; I am a Social Democrat, or like George Orwell was, a "democratic socialist".   My country of Canada is turning more to the right, what with dimwit Pierre Poilievre the leader of the Conservative party doing well, and he will get in next election, and life for regular Canadians will go from "the frying pan into the fire" . The problem with Canadian politics is that there is no alternative politically that is both promising and viable. Things are going to get worse, not only in other spots of the world like the Middle East and poor Ukraine, but here in places like Canada. And as the environment continues to go down the tubes, globally, and it will continue to do so, we have all got it coming....

David_D wrote: David_D wrote: While to me, nothing greater than the genuine socialism! - even communism, the way Marx thought of it, is very beautiful too.  Saperlipopette! wrote: ^Ok. Even communism? That's much, much more extreme (imo). I have communist friends, I don't mind. But I do sometimes wonder how things might change between us, if they actually got their way. As the communist way is intolerant and always by force, it's a scary thought. I was talking about Karl Marx, my friend, and he had a really great vision of future society, not least including: "<span style="color: rgb34, 34, 34;"><font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" style="" size="3">everyone provides according to ability and enjoys according to need</span>"

That distinction don't make a whole lot of difference to me. I have my reasons, but we don't need to discuss this here.

David_D wrote: While to me, nothing greater than the genuine socialism! - even communism, the way Marx thought of it, is very beautiful too.

Always good to have views about Britain from people who were not born there and have never lived there . I mean I could talk about Belgium if you like , that would be just as meaningful. I grew up in Swindon (generally seen as the ultimate average town in the UK and so companies used to do all sorts of market research there as  a result). It was predominantly a labour voting working class town until the seventies. It then started to change in the 70's moving away from heavy industry of the past (the railways workshop was one of the biggest in the UK and links with Isambard Kingdom Brunel were strong) towards the so called 'Service Industry' (Nationwide set up their headquarters there and it's still around) , it did retain a link with the past with the Honda car factory although that closed a few years ago post Brexit.  All this somewhat mirrors the country in a way. It's a country that went through massive change in then seventies. The then labour government at that time lost it's grip when the Unions striked at every turn bringing the country to its knees. This is course brought forward the rise of Maggie Thatcher , a divisive figure to many, she brought some order to the chaos and helped re-establish rule of law. ( as an aside I strongly recommend the recent TV series Sherwood (season 1) which is set against the back drop of the war between the Yorkshire miners, Thatchers government with the less militant Nottinghamshire miners unions caught somewhere in between during the early 80's. It's fascinating stuff.)