Comrades, the time has come

The building had filled to capacity by the time Brigadier made his entrance. Standing on a bale of hay, he surveyed the assembled throng.

“Comrades” he began, “this has been a long and difficult campaign. We’ve fought long and hard for our voice to be heard. It would appear that at long last, the legitimacy of our cause has finally been acknowledged.

The time has now come for such noble sentiments to be translated into affirmative action.

Man’s treachery has never been a cause of dispute. Too many of our brethren have fallen by the wayside for this undeniable fact to be questioned.

Bequeathed an exalted position; man has betrayed the trust bestowed upon him by those naïve enough to believe he would behave with integrity. It is clear to all that, left to his own devices, man will seek only to further his own interests.

It is now incumbent upon others to act on his behalf.

Even now he inhabits a world of denial; proclaiming to those foolish enough to listen that tales of misery and woe are nothing more than the product of some highly imaginative minds.  After all, are we not housed?

Laughter from the assembled throng…..

Do we not enjoy a multitude of benefits and unrivalled support?  Why are we so unappreciative of man’s generosity?

More raucous laughter…... 

As the harvests continue to fail, does man not consider asking himself what has led us to the calamitous situation we find ourselves in?

It would appear not; preoccupied as he is with seeking scapegoats for mistakes that have emanated from his own short-sightedness and greed.

Do the fallow fields and empty granaries not bear testimony to man’s mismanagement?

Man would have us believe that he shares our suffering. He talks of partnership.

More laughter……

He tells those foolish enough to listen that things are changing for the better. Look around you comrades. Do we not remain fettered and shackled?

Does not man remain free to impose whatever additional burdens he deems fit?

Quick to take, loathe to offer anything substantive in return, man’s actions are guided by one overriding conviction; a divine right to prosper from our sweat and toil.  

Comrades, I share your frustration. Our pleas for justice continue to fall upon deaf ears. While we toil in the field, man sits at the table of plenty, savouring the fruits of our labour.

From the comfort of his own luxurious dwelling, he continues to mock us. In his eyes we are little more than beasts of burden. Who are we to make demands?

Do not be fooled by man’s placatory words; our welfare is of little concern to him. His actions are governed by a need to assure the outside world that our grievances have no merit.   

‘Red tape and bureaucracy’ he proclaims to those foolish enough to listen.  Comrades, do not be fooled by that defiant exterior; rather take comfort from it.

Man is fearful; then again he has every right to be. The impetus is with us. Slowly but irrevocably, the tide is beginning to turn in our favour.    

And what of our critics?

Be careful what you wish for they say. Comrades, can anything be worse than this pitiful existence we are forced to endure?

All we ask is that man be held accountable for his actions. Why is he reticent?  If his intentions are honourable then he has nothing to fear.  

Those sympathetic to the cause of man label us militants. In they are to believed then none of us will rest until the corporate carcass rests ablaze upon the funeral pyre.

Is it not strange that those who question the legitimacy of our cause do not feel equally inclined to question the actions of man?

Comrades, the time has come for man to be held accountable for his actions. On that glorious day he will feel the pain it has been our misfortune to endure all these years. 

Comrades, the time has come for those sympathetic to our plight to show fortitude by standing shoulder to shoulder with us in the face of adversity.

Comrades, the time has come for those charged with our welfare to acknowledge the legitimacy of our cause, to act in accordance with their convictions. 

Comrades, the time has come for the interests of the overwhelming majority to take precedence over those of a privileged few.

Comrades, the time has come for the conveyor belt of misery to be consigned to history, paving the way for a new dawn; one which will enable us all to savour the rewards our sweat and toil so richly deserve.  

Oh brothers, how sweet it will taste….

Comrades, the time has come for the decision makers to stand resolute, show the courage required to instigate and protect the basic rights and privileges we have fought so long and hard to attain.

Comrades, the time has come for the shackles and harnesses that have made our lives a misery for so long to finally be removed, allowing us to harness our undoubted talents and fulfill our true potential.    

Comrades, the time has come for man to be compelled to put self-interest to one side; to work with us in the interests of true partnership.

Comrades, the time has come.”