The Ugly Face of Socialism

Although a nice protest march is a fair way to make a point with your fellow human beings, I can't help but feel that the students marching through London today failed do themselves any favours.

Even before we look at the violence and frankly moronic behaviour of the students, the fact that "free" NUS coaches to this rally have subsidised a student night out in London doesn’t really speak much for the "seriousness" of their cause.

The outpouring of comments made by students attending the march really summed up the protest for me; "you didn't pay, why should I" is one of my favourite ignorant plaques, or the justification that other people should pay for my education because "I want to get a better job and support my children" seems particularly self-serving. However Anna Tennant-Siren, a student at the University of Ulster in Coleraine, takes first prize for summing up the ethos of the march.

"I am here because it is important that students stand up and shout about what is going on." A fair point, but; "Politicians don't seem to care. They should be taking money from people who earn seven-figure salaries, not from students who don't have any money."

And this is where I disagree with everyone at the protest and every NUS member for that matter.  I think the key word from that quote is "taking",  I don't care how you try to spin this, under the guise of equality or support for the hard done-by "poor" members of society, the simple fact of the matter is that this is a use of force to rob one man of his earning to pay for the wants of another.  Simply unjustifiable, you would call me a criminal if I robbed a man to pay for a newspaper.

I guess we can briefly mention the violent events of today’s protest too, although the footage and pictures speak for themselves.  Anger and resentment towards those seeking to remove your luxuries is far from unpredictable, even children have tantrums if you take away their toys, but today’s display highlights exactly how immature and ill thought-out the socialist position is. They have demonstrated exactly how disgusting their believes are; the use of force against others to get what you want, regardless of the rights or safety of those who oppose you.

In all honesty I'm quite glad the ugly colours of socialism have blossomed in full view of the public.  It's just a shame that this came at such a high cost to the thinking student.