"The People"

Believe it or not, but for the past few days those two, deceptively simple words have been an infinite source of frustration and anger for me. Never have i been so perplexed in trying to understand two words used so casually and so often in everyday speech.

Politicians use the phrase all the time. Laws that are passed for the greater good of "the people". The uprising against privatization of the freshwater system in Cochabamba, Bolivia carried the chant "the people united will never be defeated". But what did they mean?

Are "the people" those who choose to vote, and act within the system? Are "the people" those who elect the government, and are thus considered the majority? Or are "the people", as it was in the case of Cochabamba, those who are denied their rights?

It's neither one. Because whenever i think of "the people", another, more infamous phrase comes to mind - George W. Bush's "Axis of Evil". On the surface they appear to have very little in common. One seems to describe a collective of nations, whilst the other seems to describe a collective of individuals (whoever those individuals may be is beside the point). Yet, both phrases serve the same purpose: to provide it's user with an escape from having to explain themselves, whether it be their actions or beliefs. They are used to incite fear or halt argument. Simply stating that a nation is part of the "Axis of Evil" seems to be reason enough for a future military offensive. Seditions laws are necessary because it seems “the (Australian) people” are united against terrorism. Or so i’m told.

"The people" is a brand name. It's used as a short-cut. It's an easy way out for those who can’t be bothered or have nothing to say. It’s meaningless. Irrelevant. Imaginary.

And which two words would i replace "the people" with?

"Absolute Bullshit". : )