George Michael: Talent for Whom?

Pat F.

It seems the world is mourning the loss of pop singer George Michael. 

George’s life is being highly praised in the commercial media, as a great achiever, a great artiste, and a good person.

George’s death is being mourned because he was a pop music performer, whose records sold millions of copies in many countries. He made millions of dollars from his concerts and record sales.

He also gave millions of dollars to tax deductible, registered charities.

He is particularly noted for being the first Western pop star to take pop music to China after the death of Mao Zedong.

He was honoured in his lifetime by the royal family.

For these reasons his life is being celebrated, and his death mourned by the mass media in Australia, Britain, USA, and other capitalist countries.

Requiem for a Dead Sycophant

Personal crises in George’s life are cited to add to his mystique.

Who doesn’t have periods of strife in their life? Is that the key criterion for a worthwhile life? 

I would have thought money, tax evasion, rubbish music and royal patronage were not what we value in a life.

We value those who serve the people, in large ways and in small. We value those who serve the people to the extent of their ability and to the extent of their opportunity.

We value those who care for their children, and families. We value those who serve the people in political work, in unions, and party. We value those who help others in need directly, not through tax deductable charities. We value those who care for the prickly and snappy, not just the soft and furry.

We value those who do what they do as well as they can and don’t judge things by their profitability.

We value people who don’t sell their talent to serve the interests of the capitalist class. We value people who use their talents to expose and oppose the capitalists, and to organise and inspire the working class.

We do not value those commercial sycophants who think that when the Royals fart, they exude Eau de Cologne.