One popular local strategy undermines. Rather than helping officials leverage their power to serve your interests or taking their power for yourself, this approach diffuses their power by defaming it. No need to painstakingly work through issues or risk personal injury.
This
scenario is a seductive alternative for anyone feeling
disenfranchised. But it requires some skill, lest the slinger end
up with more mud on themselves than on their
target.
First, create yourself a “special interest
group.”
Next, claim to speak for the community. Name it something
like “Citizens for Good Grievances.” (Stay anonymous!
Termites work invisibly!)
Next, assume the worst. Firmly believe their perspective
isn’t just different, but evil.
Then, start peppering them with double binds. If you simply ask
answerable questions, you’ll make no headway at all. The
questions must elicit guilty responses. Not “How do you care
for your dog,” but “When will you stop beating your
dog?” See the difference?
If they respond that they’re not beating their dog,
it’s evidence of a deeper denial than even you could have
imagined (or so your next letter to the editor will say.) If they
respond that they’ve already stopped, they indict themselves
for having beaten. If they do not respond, their silence will
become your gold! However they respond, they’re guilty as
you’ve charged!
You’re best advised to keep them focused on fixing the past.
Lawsuits can help here. No one can actually fix the past, but
keeping government focused upon fixing the past helps demonstrate
their incompetence and prevents you from having to propose
anything.
Keep your distance as you sling. Do not get to know those people as
fellow humans, for this will surely undermine your efforts.
Remember, you can sling forever if you insist that their opinions
are evil, not just different.
Properly done, you’ll create a pit where government cannot
make a move without clogging its cleats with your anonymous mud.
You might not get what you want, but you’ll disable their
ability to do anything. Decent payback for such a small
investment.
The result won’t be good government, but great
grievances.
Is this good enough for us?
