We need wealthy dogs off the seats of power. They're taking us

In these fiery words, John Lydon, once the rebellious voice of punk rock, speaks with the same spirit of defiance that once shook kingdoms and toppled tyrants. By calling out the wealthy dogs who sit upon the seats of power, he evokes the image of greedy elites ruling with arrogance and disregard for the common people. His warning is dire: they are dragging society back toward feudalism, a dark age where a few lords owned everything, and the many were bound to lives of servitude and despair. Yet Lydon also declares himself far from being a socialist, showing that his vision is not rooted in ideology but in the simple, primal cry for justice and balance.

The origin of this sentiment stretches back to humanity’s oldest struggles. Feudalism was the system that dominated medieval Europe for centuries, where kings and nobles ruled through fear, and the peasants toiled endlessly with no hope of freedom. Power was inherited, wealth was hoarded, and voices of dissent were silenced. Lydon’s warning suggests that even in the modern age, the same patterns are reemerging: corporations and political elites hoard resources and influence, while the masses are left divided and powerless. His words are a call to recognize these ancient chains before they are reforged.

History provides a stark example in the story of the French Revolution. For generations, the aristocracy of France lived in luxury while the common people starved. When taxes and oppression became unbearable, the people rose in fury, storming the Bastille and overthrowing a centuries-old order. Their battle cry, “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity,” was not just a dream but a rejection of the feudal nightmare that Lydon fears. Yet history also warns us that revolutions can fall into chaos when one extreme replaces another, which is why he distances himself from socialism while still opposing unchecked power.

The phrase “wealthy dogs” carries deep symbolism. Dogs, though often loyal and noble, can also become symbols of greed and base instincts when corrupted. These “dogs” of power are not guardians of the people but ravenous creatures, devouring resources and freedoms for their own gain. In ancient myths, creatures like Cerberus guarded the gates of the underworld, blocking mortals from escape. So too do these modern elites, holding the keys to opportunity and progress while keeping others trapped in cycles of poverty and dependency.

Ultimately, Lydon’s words are a call for vigilance and courage. He urges us to see beyond false promises and political labels, to recognize when history’s old patterns are returning in new disguises. The battle is not merely against a system, but against complacency. Let this teaching be passed to future generations: power must always be questioned, and freedom must always be defended. For when the people grow silent, the wealthy dogs will rise again, and the chains of feudalism will once more be fastened around the necks of the many.