[P7_TOM]

IM very personal O. One of the shortcomings of ‘democracy’ is that the ‘power’ a king of old held was broken down to pieces, not many, and parcelled out between those who would have their share of it.  It is, I say, a mistake to believe that the ‘power’ resides entirely with the people. There are ‘kings’ with as much power as those of the olden days who reside in ivory towers, remote from the hurly-burly of everyday life. One may, with some application be granted an audience with one of these ‘untouchables’. Provided one realises that one is but a humble supplicant, with a very small claim on the little time gifted; does not piddle on the carpet, or tweek the arse of the kings mistress; or, start shouting the odds; one may, with a little luck get a nod of approval.

To actually gain an audience friends and ‘influence’ are needed. Friends who may graciously allow their support – always an ulterior motive? Of course, but that is a price you have to pay, without quarrel, promptly, when the debt is called in. To win at the ‘top table’ there is need to know the rules and how to play the game. The question “if I gave you a million dollars and a seat at the ‘top table’ in a Macau casino, how long would your money last?” is always worth considering.

It’s one thing to bark at the postman from the security of your own back yard; quite another to be hurled, willy-nilly, into a pit full of fighting dogs. Never seen one man, stood alone, in a big paddock, far from town banging away on a tin drum change the world; not for a long, long while.