In this season of air travel, whether by reindeer or jumbo jet, I had an epiphany.
There I was, waiting to board in Newark, as the ground personnel regaled us with the list of privileged persons given priority to clamber into the great cigar tube in the sky.
First came people accompanied by small children or requiring assistance. I’m fine with that. These folks deserve a break wherever they can get one.
Then we were told that the rich and comfortable would board before the rest of us peons. Well, I guess that stands to reason in an oligarchy.
But then, I blew a circuit when we were told to make way for military personnel. What? Is this a democracy or an armed camp run for the benefit of the armed and those they protect. BTW, in case you have any illusions, they do not protect us. They protect the rich and comfortable folks who get to board before us. If you think I’m kidding, look at what has happened in every revolution to date. Once a significant proportion of the military defects to its own class, the game is up for the rich and comfortable. Period.
So, in our garrison state, the airlines diss those who actually contribute to our well-being – firemen, teachers, doctors, nurses, need I go on? – in order to "honor" those who protect the rich and comfortable.
I say consign the rich, the comfortable and their protectors to the baggage compartment and make room for those who contribute to our well-being.