Most political discourse, when boiled down to a single phrase, is this:
“I would like to defeat my enemy. Pretty please.”
Why? There’s always going to be at least one more. It’s a very diagonal move. Sure, somewhat headed in the intended direction, but simultaneously off track a few steps.
What most people want is to accomplish a goal, or see an idea come to fruition. Political enemies just happen to be in the way.
I don’t see myself as having political enemies. I’m not a huge fan of large swaths of people, but it’s not even hatred, they’re just people. Politics for most is just an expression of their nature. You can’t change them, can’t conquer them. The goal is for them to do their thing somewhere else, away from me, while I pursue my ideas here, closer.
Not even the ruthless can kill an idea. There’s no point. Once safely inside the harbor of a mind an idea can’t be sunk.
There’s plenty of space free to capture, minds to inhabit. Humanity is made up mostly of masses of the undecided. Sure, there’s competition with other forces to inhabit this real estate, but that’s not really enemy inducing.
I can’t help what I think. I can’t reason my way out of it. I cannot, for the life of me, correct my thoughts and squeeze them into something that comes across as more manageable to others.
The same could be said to those opposed to my ideas. They can’t help but express their nature in the same way.
So, off to the races. Manifest density. A constant and ceaseless vying to gain just an inch.
Many want victory and painful vengeance. Some don’t even care about winning, they just want to inflict pain and suffering on those they disagree with. Yet they often make it seem like they’re hesitant, they want to inflict suffering, just the socially acceptable amount.
I don’t think that way. I’m very “egg and omelette”. Any cost. Whatever it takes. I’m not a pacifist, I wish not for my ideas and beliefs to be stomped on and thrown away. However, if I could change the world, not harm a singular person, and protect the health and happiness of everyone, I would do it in an instant.
What happens to them, happens. Just one more inch, and they’re in the way.