I would happily hold coats and let the generals and the bosses slug it out toe to toe. It's the way they fight bloody and economic wars with and over the bodies of other people that annoys and insults me.
Further, politics, like emptying dustbins and unclogging toilet pipes, is a filthy job, and it is great that those we delegate the task to seem actually to enjoy it, but it is clearly very bad for them. We should do as some ancient Greeks did, and elect only protesting citizens with better things to do, excluding all who actually want the job and power.
I don't object to to others singing God Save The Queen. But I am a republican anarchist and an atheist. Why must I lie by joining in a song? Further, the song has a verse about 'crushing rebellious Scots', and was made (or rather remade) to encourage the terrified mob in London in early 1746, awaiting the arrival of Charlie.
I personally do not have the right to stand to be a member of our parliament, because I would refuse to take an oath of allegiance to the Queen. I would take an oath of allegiance to the people and the rights of humanity any time, but a figurehead in a fur-and-diamond-trimmed hat - come on!
The foregoing is a very partial and half-hearted response to queries raised to me above. I lack desire or motivation to write the thousands of words that would try to define my position and how it arises. And anyway, it's only my personal position - so what? But the topic is too important to me for simplistic point making and scoring.
I'm taking a break from Mudcat. Maybe I'll be back sometime. Keep on keeping on.