Live and let live
If I had to define what I feel as a citizen today, after six years of Law and Justice rule, I would say it is terror, helplessness and hope.
I realize that for what I am about to write I will be called a person who hates and does not respect others. If someone takes it that way, that is their problem. Nevertheless, I will not hesitate to summarize: the simpletons who rule us today came to power and maintain it largely thanks to other simpletons.
I do not, however, lump Kaczyński's supporters together. Among them are people wronged by fate, such as single mothers, people with no prospects of employment in their towns and villages, the disabled or pensioners with poor benefits. It is the bloody duty of every government to help them. The previous government did not do this, and this one is exploiting their poverty opportunistically, because if it really wanted to help, it would direct the funds to those who really need it, and not buy votes left and right. I sympathize with these people and understand them. I understand that they support Kaczyński.
The rest who support him are just simpletons. Because they don't think or they think in short cuts. Because they expect respect, treating others with hatred themselves. Because they don't tolerate being different. Because they believe that if someone has money, they have it from somewhere and that you can only get rich through inheritance, lottery or theft. Because they are envious and wish ill to anyone who is even a little better off. Because they didn't learn principles and basic culture from home. Because they don't trust anyone. Because they can only give respect for money. Because they trample all authorities. Because they are frustrated with their lives and express their frustration with hatred. Because they turn a blind eye to how this government is ruining and stealing this country. Because they believe that only they are right and everyone else should f*ck off. Because they consider themselves Catholics and they don't give a damn about the Ten Commandments.
Many people around me often point out to me that everyone should be respected. I respect those who support Kaczyński as citizens. I do not deny their right to be Poles, just as they deny me this right, and I do not direct hate speech at them, just as they do towards me. However, please do not expect me to show them respect. I will not. But I will not show them disrespect, just as they do towards me. I will not direct any words at them and I will pass by them in silence.
Today, the simpletons can "rise from their knees," as Kaczyński nicely put it. This means that they can sow hate speech, show their rudeness, and vent their frustrations without any qualms or restrictions. No one will reprimand them for this, because the government itself, from the bottom to the top, does exactly the same thing.
I am terrified because there are so many of them. Because they were so easily fooled by Kaczyński, for which they will soon pay in starvation pensions, impoverishment, the ruin of this country that they will feel. Because together with Kaczyński they have turned our country into a laughing stock, an oasis of intolerance and xenophobia, a closed, distrustful country devoid of empathy.
I am powerless because I can't do anything about it. Because people who value freedom, openness, tolerance and solidarity, of whom I believe there are many more, remain passive.
However, I am full of hope, because I have a feeling that Poland will not sustain the simpletons for long.
