Shoes, tea, eggs and clubs

Iraq had its shoe toss, the U.S. had its tea parties, and the CR now has its egg showers. People are mad as hell and are finding new ways to show that they're not going to take it any longer. As social conditions worsen, more people will find the "man eggs" to confront their politicians. Some call this trend a legitimate, proportional reaction to the increasingly evident failure of those in power. Democracy in action, they say. Many politicians, of course, see it the other way around. Democracy is at threat, they argue, and they try to shift the blame to the "violence, hatred and intolerance" of voters (to quote Václav Klaus). Times of crisis should bring the electorate and the elected closer together, and this has often been the case. But the current crisis is driving a wedge between governments and their people. This is scary, because when governments remonstrate, they use stronger methods than shoes, tea or eggs. [Czech Republic Jiří Paroubek ČSSD president]