Take The Royal Grilling

On the count of three, to the tune of God Save The Queen 'Who gives a shit?" The whole debacle about Jeremy Corbyn respectfully standing, yet refusing to sing the National Anthem at a service to commemorate the Battle Of Britain, is quite frankly not news. I wish to begin by nailing my colours to the mast. I am a slightly right of centre libertarian who did not vote Labour at the last election. Nor am I a member of any political party/group. I am however, a republican { not a member of Republic, though I subscribe to their newsletter}. I find Monarchism baffling from a logical standpoint. I believe hereditary rulers, in the dim and distant past served an evolutionary purpose which has long since been outgrown. Yes, they were a unifying factor in primitive societies, do they really serve a purpose in this day and age? NO. They are expensive, absurd and do not generate nearly as much income as Monarchists would have you believe. If you care to do any further reading simply follow this link: https://republic.org.uk/what-we-want/royal-finances The most bizarre part of the whole thing is that upon being voted Leader Of The Opposition Corbyn has to become a member of The Privy Council. An archaic, outdated institution whose brief is supposedly to 'advise the Monarch' had he refused this dubious honour, he would've been barred from attending meetings of The Advisory Council On National Security. So you see we don't really live in a democracy, because if you don't believe a hereditary Monarch is the best choice for Head Of State, you're a threat to national security. I for one don't believe Corbyn will ever be Prime Minister. I doubt I would agree with him on the standard colour of shite. The point is this country is riddled with corrupt, ridiculous institutions which ought to be disestablished, The House Of Lords and The Privy Council are but two of them. Of course a want of democracy in terms of which beliefs one is permitted to hold when standing for high office is nothing new, especially if like me, you happen to be a Roman Catholic  {although most Catholic theologians would question my orthodoxy} I identify as such. As Stated in the 1829 Catholic emancipation act, I may not be Monarch, First Lord Of The Treasury/Prime Minister or Lord Lieutenant Of Ireland. Not that I aspire to hold any of the aforementioned offices. The point is 'All Governments Are Organised Hypocrisies.' To misquote Benjamin Disraeli {devoted Monarchist} who once said the same of Conservative governments. I wish to see positive change, I do not think Corbyn wished to disrespect the diverse group of people who fought for our freedom in WWII. I think he was respecting the general public by being honest about what he believes. A recent study by The Whitehouse Consultancy of 225 parliamentary candidates, found that 33.78 were atheist while 42% claimed not to belong to any religious denomination. Yet, most religious skeptics remain closeted, fearful of harming their careers by disclosing their beliefs. I'd sooner know who I was voting for, and while I don't share their opinions, I happen to think honesty is an admirable character trait. So why do we persist with the charade? Answer: Psychological security," I want to live in a cosy little world where The Archers is on the Radio, The Monarch is on the money and we all pretend we believe in God." Many humans have a need for substitute parents who'll think for them and keep them safe. Fathers and Mothers of the Nation, spiritual archetypes whose hagiographies are printed on 20 page, glossy pull-outs, which come free with the Daily Mail. This weird irrational response is not confined to royalty, the same mechanism is obviously in operation in people who worship celebrities. The fact is : You don't know these people, if you are seriously insulted by someone criticising the Royal Family or a celebrity or any other person you do not know: There Is Something Wrong With You! No one likes their core beliefs being challenged, but if you actually think one over-privileged, elderly woman is the spiritual embodiment of the nation you are deluded. The spirit of any nation is the collective consciousness of its citizens. That is why a presidential system is fairer: The people elect them. So choose your pill: The red one with send you back off into your waking coma with the rest of the sheeple, experience the collective outrage when someone in the public eye demonstrates the capacity for free thought. Take the blue one and it'll leave a bitter taste, you'll find the world isn't what you thought it was or what you'd like it to be. Yet, fully aware of the world and all that is the case, therein lies the possibility of making improvements.