Xenophobia

The sun has set in the UK, and I find myself re-evaluating the whole idea of voting. Sure, it sounds good. Give everyone a voice. Let them have their say. Be fair.

But then again we do have some limits. We don't let children vote, for instance. If we did, they would all vote for more candy, lots more TV and later bedtimes. Broccoli and spinach would be against the law, as would doing dishes, doing homework, and doing anything parents say. Above all, there would be no sharing!

Because sharing is really hard. It requires loosening your grip on something you have. Letting someone else hold on to it, too. But that is the basic lesson of childhood, a lesson preschoolers and kindergarteners have drilled into them. That "Mine! Mine! Mine!" is childish. Something you outgrow with maturity.

The Brexit vote was Britain at its most childish. Refusing to share. Grabbing toys away from others. Screaming "Mine!" at the rest of Europe. Those screams can be heard on our shores, too. People who pledge allegiance to he-who-must-not-be-named throw eerily similar tantrums.

So I'm re-thinking this whole voting thing. If we refuse to let children vote, should we also refuse to let people who act like children vote? Maybe the kids who've been to preschool and kindergarten would make better choices.