The "Bugger You, Jack" mentality

It’s a mad, mad world that we live in, Aunty Jack.

A good crisis really shows the worst in people. It reminds me how selfish, inconsiderate, greedy, lazy, and useless some can be.

To all those good people in the world, wherever you are, I apologise.

I try to stay away from politics and controversy as much as possible. I have enough problems of my own to deal with, without taking on things I cannot change or control.

I have to say, though, there have been times when I have not been able to resist. If you persist in reading this story, thank you. Thank you for allowing me some release and a sanity check to get these feelings out.

They say a problem shared is a problem halved, so here goes. My argument is based on the behaviour of people around me in Australia. I am sure the same can be said of every other country, but I am not able to comment. If it is, let me know so I can feel better!

Not since COVID restrictions have I been so disgusted by the behaviour of some people.

When Victoria, Australia, announced new restrictions, people panicked. They rushed to buy supplies. Everyone is concerned about the supply of food, petrol (gas), and household items.

Some people were so selfish and greedy that they didn’t just buy a few extra items. They bought way more than they needed.

As an example, one thing people seemed to think would run out was toilet paper. The phenomenon emptied supermarket shelves. Retailers then set purchase limits, and manufacturers increased production.

It was a chain reaction, albeit a slow one. People panic-bought. The supermarkets were happy to have the additional sales. Some stores elevated the price of toilet paper four times.

The government stepped in. They limited how many rolls a person could buy at once. Too little, too late. By the time this happened, there were not a toilet roll to be seen.

Workers at the supermarket warehouses were seen taking extra cartons of rolls. Each carton holds about 50 rolls. Why, because they could.

Bugger everyone else, I’m O.K.

Now, the world is in chaos because of the actions of politicians who are playing power games to see who can swing their appendage the furthest. It is not they who are having their houses bombed, their families injured, their lives ruined.

No, bugger you Jack, I’m alright. Just do as I tell you, there's a good boy.

Again, a chain reaction of absolute disgrace.

Step 1: The media decides to sensationalise the possibility of fuel shortages.

Step 2. The government tries to calm people's fears. They insist there is no supply issue and that everything is under control.

Step 3. The rise in crude oil prices allows petrol (gas) companies to increase prices and pump stations to add their little bit of gouging on top as well. Price increases of up to 25% in some cases.

Step 4. People evoke their “Bugger you, Jack" mentality and start to panic buy. They’re not just filling their car. They’re buying every jerry can they can find. Then, they head to the station to fill up three or four more.

The worst offenders went and filled 50–100-litre containers in the back of their trucks.

Step 5. We do have a supply problem now. The government has the power to impose restrictions on buying, but it has done nothing. Service station owners can limit the amount individuals buy, but they have not done so.

Now we have an escalating problem caused by these selfish, greedy so-and-so’s. Without diesel, farmers can't plant crops now or harvest summer crops. That will cause food shortages. Then, those same people will rush to clear out the stores.

First responders might lack fuel to reach work. Everyone will feel the impact. When some act selfishly, it affects the whole community.

A smart, forward-thinking government would have set restrictions from the start. This would stop greedy and selfish people from acting.

It’s a sad, sad world that we live in, Aunty Jack. There are way too many people with a “Bugger you, Jack,” mentality.

Till next time,

Calvin