Shame on me

I find myself being urged to feel ashamed every day, and for many different reasons. I have only to turn on my radio or TV to hear or see somebody having a go at people like me. We are all lumped together, as if we are identical clones.

I am dismissed and denigrated as a 'Boomer' (i.e. Baby Boomer, that generation of children who were born between 1945 and 1960 - the first and main beneficiaries of the classic Welfare State - including free, high-quality education and the chance to retire early).

I am dismissed and denigrated as a 'Brexiteer' (i.e. someone who voted for leaving the EU in the 2016 referendum - supposedly for selfish, smug, ignorant, fuddy-duddy, imperialist or racist reasons).

I am dismissed and denigrated for being a 'Gold-plated Pensioner' (i.e. someone who was able to retire on a government pension based on their salary in the final year of service - assumed in every case to be a large, super-comfortable pension not really deserved).

Indeed, I am dismissed and denigrated for being entitled to the ordinary State Pension and its linked benefits, such as a free Older Person's Bus Pass, the Winter Fuel Allowance, and even the now-meagre £10 Christmas Bonus (as if somehow my entitlement was rigged, or I have been lucky beyond all reason and fairness).

I am dismissed and denigrated for voting Conservative in last week's General Election, as if this was ipso facto a crass and stupid thing to do. (Although, obviously, plenty of other people all over the country had their reasons for voting the same way - and we can't all be gullible, ill-informed petty-capitalists with no social conscience)

I am dismissed and denigrated for just being female. As if this were, at best, an unfortunate handicap that society has to put up with. It's maddening that, away from the TV screen, women are still expected in ordinary life to play second fiddle to men, a compliant role; and that their lives are controlled by laws and customs that men create and uphold. Why does a woman have to explain and justify and prove, where a man need not? Is it because men in general - there are countless honourable exceptions, of course - resent the attention and admiration woman get? Even though most men (however unattractive they may be) definitely rule the roost, and have the final say in all important decisions? The kind of power that really matters most usually lies in men's hands; not women's.

All these reasons for feeling shame! It's a wonder that I don't shrivel up in contrition, seek redemption, and devote my entire life to expiating my sins.

I suppose I could address the above-mentioned faults...

...I could erase the fact that I was born in 1952, and pretend it was 1962 or later. You know, kid everyone that I'm much younger. Lie about it. Being born in the 'Never Had It So Good' fifties was so clearly my fault. What was I thinking of?

...I could become an ardent Pro-EU campaigner, and tell everyone that I'm an evangelist for federalism, and for reducing Britain to the status of an offshore subject province of Europe, paying tribute to the central controlling body on the continent - much on the lines of Britannia in Roman times. Roman Britain was quite civilised. You know: nice roads, villas for the rich, soldiers everywhere, amphitheatres for cruel sports, Hadrian's Wall, lots of trade. What's not to like?

...I could renounce my Civil Service Pension, and throw myself on the parish. The workhouse looms! Maybe I deserve it.

...I could renounce my State Pension, and join the ranks of the Waspi Women. Or am I one of them already? Well, with no proper money coming in, I'll have to go on the game. Needs must. Perhaps I could hang around outside the village Post Office, and tout for trade? An old codger comes along to draw his pension or whatever. 'Hello, Big Boy. Fancy a Good Time?' Then back to my place, and treat him to some buttered toast and telly. (Or is there something else involved?)

...What's the alternative to voting Conservative? Is there anything? There used to be other parties, but the ones I can remember from way back aren't the same any more.

What about not being female any longer, and joining the august ranks of men? I'm rather stuck there. So much of me is wrong for playing the man. Wrong body, wrong hair, wrong face, wrong voice, wrong way of walking, wrong way of thinking, wrong attitudes, wrong standards, wrong emotions, wrong ambitions, wrong to want independence and my own life, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong. Plus, I don't drink beer. And I couldn't give a monkey's about football. (Although, hey, I can talk about cars and phones!)

Oh well. Shame on me.