You know how people sometimes get angry and verbally abusive to waitresses when they don't like the food the chef made? And the customer is always right, so the waitress has to put a smile on her face and take the abuse or else risk losing her job?
I suspect this same phenomenon is ten times worse in government service than in food service. Just for once, I'd like things to go down like this:
Angry Citizen: You're fucking corrupt. You don't care about the people. You're all just thugs and corporate shills! You disgusting pieces of shit!
Government Worker: politely Thank you sir, I'm really sorry to hear that. We'll take your concerns into consideration.
Angry Citizen: No you won't, you fucking liar! You're just saying that to pacify me, you don't care about my concerns at all! You government types never tell the truth, you're always hiding something. Why don't you be fucking transparent for once!?
Government Worker: Sir, if you want transparency I can give you transparency. But is that what you really want?
Angry Citizen: Dammit yes, I want you to be fucking transparent, you asshole!! I literally just said that!
Government Worker: Very well. Don't say I didn't warn you. Takes a deep breath You don't know the tiniest thing about me personally. I would not be here in this job if I didn't want to help people. You're not the only one in the country who doesn't like the way things are. Most people don't, including those in charge—
Angry Citizen: incredulously What!? Okay now I know for absolute certain you're a fucking liar—
Government Worker: Sir?
Angry Citizen: we all know the elites love the way things are—
Government Worker: Sir?
Angry Citizen: otherwise they wouldn't have made it like this!
Government Worker: Sir?
Angry Citizen: WHAT!?
Government Worker: Have you considered that maybe the reason some people don't want to be transparent with you is because they expect you to react like this if they try?
Angry Citizen: I wouldn't react like this if they weren't being corrupt. They should have nothing to hide.
Government Worker: Then why did you react that way to me, a random stranger who you've never met who has done no wrong to you or anyone you care about?
Angry Citizen: I—
Government Worker: If you want me to help you figure out how to get a problem solved that you want solved, or to point you to resources or people who might be able to help solve it, that's fine! I'm totally willing to do that. But if you're just going to attack me then I'm going to put a big fake smile on my face and politely say things like "Yes sir. You're right sir. We're very sorry to hear that sir. We'll take your concerns into consideration sir. Sir."
Don't you see? That's the real problem with our country. We all don't trust each other enough to have a real conversation. The lack of real conversation stops us from negotiating deals that need to be made and then we can't work together to accomplish anything of substance—nothing gets done! Our government relies on social trust to work, just like every other institution. Without that trust people just fight each other for control instead of working together, and they take from each other without giving back in turn. And the only way to restore trust is to help each other, to show each other kindness and compassion.
So with all that said, is there anything I can help you with at all?
Angry Citizen: awkwardly I-I'll think about it.
-----
Note: Many of the elites who run or back our government are elderly folks who are stuck in their ways and scared of radical new ideas.
They too had to fight against the corrupt totalitarian government back in their day, and now they're scared of giving up control of that government lest they become oppressed once more.
It's a cycle of vengeance and fear which goes back for millenia. Those who seize power from their abusers abuse their abusers back, and their abusers' descendants and perceived cultural allies become the next enslaved underclass as a result.
What we really need is a heart to heart with them about how times have changed and how we need to move on, and that they should start thinking more about the kind of legacy they wish to leave behind. That would be a much healthier and more effective conversation to have than "VIVE LA REVOLUTION!!11!"
Or at least it would be if they were open to conversation in the first place.
Maybe one of their most horrifically abused and innocent victims, one who has it in his heart to forgive them, can persuade them to have that conversation if he survives everything they throw at him for long enough.
You know, just saying. 😉
No comments:
Post a Comment