For a long time now, I have explained that it was necessary to look after oneself and not expect anything further from politicians, I am tempted to not attach any importance to the upcoming presidential elections, no more importance than any other election, in France as elsewhere.
Many people feel that the elections will not change their lives significantly and it is by taking control of their own fate that they will be happy.
Only what I called the « resigned-claimants » (those who are resigned to their fate and who make demands) those who are resigned to live a life dictated by others, and are demanding a few crumbs of additional protection, can really attach importance to the electoral campaigns. Indeed, it is to them, or rather to what, in each of us, brings back to this inner drive, that the candidates focus their propositions. Much of the discussion and debate understandably centers around social protection entitlements, means of education, defense and security; all the things that are necessary. But, if politics is reduced to nothing other than the above, it can only provide the framework for alienation, more or less comfortable.
Wage-earning was a formidable instrument of freedom, allowing a way out of servitude. We can imagine today the possibility of going beyond freedom, by allowing everybody to fully control their own life.
Everyone and an entire country will not escape despair and decline if its people do not have the means and do not want to choose themselves, flourish, respect themselves, and take charge of their own lives. And unless individuals are allowed to make a concrete contribution to creativity and freedom, risk and boldness; in order to live full and productive lives, made of happy times, chosen, creative and free, to live their own lives, what I like to call « becoming oneself. »
So, should we not vote? Of course not. If only to avoid leaving what is, in each of us, « résigné réclamant, » and thus choosing the worse, locking the country in a paternalistic aid-oriented ideology, one of exclusion, mistrust, and hatred that would only glorify the past and would make it impossible to become yourself.
So do not expect everything from the elections. Think more than ever of what you can do for yourself, for others, for your neighbors, and for your country. In the candidates’ programs only look for what can help each of you, (and your children, who do not yet have the right to vote), become yourself.
From this perspective, the programs take on a totally different color: What do candidates propose to provide children with the best possible life scenario for their future and development, in their families, at a crèche, in kindergarten? What do they propose so that teenagers can escape despair and rage, for lack of opportunities, projects, and ambition? What do they say on training and creation? On altruism? On initiative? On empathy? How do they propose to reorganize academic orientation, a huge disgrace in our societies? What do they say about continuing education, which should help people young and old to find themselves? How do they talk about prevention, this critical foundation for health, based on self-respect? How do they think they could help to escape from the alienation of wage-earning labor and find out how to make each of us unique and succeed in expressing our unique self? How do they propose to reduce suffering at work, authoritarianism in companies, sexism, contempt for differences? What do they propose to help everyone succeed in their lives? And find one’s happiness in helping others succeed in their own lives?
It’s up to you to look for it. It’s up to you to demand it.