Friends, Lankans and whoever else...
In the wake of the recent ruling by the supreme court of Sri Lanka, many political analysts (amateurs of course) have developed many theories. While most are so far fetched as to require a foot up the ass of the author, one in particular is scary because it is simple and direct.
The esteemed president it seems might resign her current post of executive president in order to contest the upcoming general elections in the capacity of Prime Minister. Now, for one such as her, this step down in public life is not at all an insult to herself, her family and her party because she will be able to retain some semblance of power. After all, 12 years of absolute power is not enough for anybody right? But the funny thing is, people with power always aspire for more power, and this theory highlights the complete lack of self dignity Madam President has managed to communicate to the entire world.
That being said, my faith in the people remains, but also my skepticism that yet another 'free and fair election' will take place also remains.
Now that the government has re-introduced the 'elections are near and so we will abolish taxes' policy, the people will be left sucking hind tit once again. The individual Sri Lankan is an intelligent individual, however, taken collectively we have as much intelligence as two rocks. So, people will fall for that 'dazzling' smile (who in their right mind thinks it is even remotely attractive?) fall for the short term relief in cost of living and yet again vote the blues onto the wicket. They will vote not with their minds, but because of whom their parents voted for, who their aunties and uncles worked for, because they met that VIP in some podunk function, or some VIP smiled at them.
Now, I would like nothing more than to be proven wrong on all accounts. I want my country to prosper and develop, not to remain labeled forever as a 'developing nation' (diplo speak for 3rd world) due to personal bickerings amongst so called leaders. While they are trying to find who farted in the elevator, the JVP is going to blow the cables. Revolution may not be that far away. Thats when the ethnic conflict will become the least of everybodys concern.
posted by Komisiripala @ 4:20 PM
8 comments
8 Comments:
I sincerely hope you are proven wrong too. Ranil would probably leave the country and spend the rest of his life in Hawaii or something if he loses...
Damn! idiots can't see the bigger picture...
lets not take a patronizing tone about people. each individual will take a decision that he/she thinks will benefits themselves most and if they get duped(again and again) by election gimmicks so be it, thats democracy. we can't force others to make what we think is the best choice.(thats for the socialists, fascists etc.) criticize the government, its policies, jvp etc. but respect the voters.
ranil for one (rarely for a sri lankan politician and at the cost of looking week) acts on a similar principle.
Respecting the voters is one thing, but trying to understand their mentality is another.
How many people do you know who are pissed off to high heaven with whatever government in power that end up voting for them anyway?
Its easy to respect an intelligent choice, but much harder to find something to respect when people do things that don't make sense, even to themselves.
if you believe people are unable to make rational choices you will have to reject both democracy and capitalism. how do you know 'people do things that don't make sense, even to themselves' are you god ? that's a dangerous road to travel and remember hitlar and lenin an mao and (more importantly) their stupid followers went before you.
Umm! sitting nut, you sort of contradicted yourself by calling Hitler's, mao's and lenins followers stupid.
In 1994 we'd accept the fact that they voted for the PA. They said they had a plan and promised to deliver so much. They failed and yet, the PEOPLE voted that woman in, WHY? Then they did vote for the UNP but voted them out because they didn't get any immediate relief, but they did have a sound economic policy and peace and things were relatively ok. But the PEOPLE did vote them out, why do you think that is? Because they were too stupid to see the bigger picture. Now they regret it, but they'll prolly go vote Mahinda in and a new PA bloody parliamant as well. How so shall we respect such people. Its not socialist or facists or anything of the sort. Its just that sometimes its hard to fathom what people were thinking when they marked a cross over that stupid chair...
Here is the deal,
when I say people do things that don't make sense, I am speaking by firsthand experience. Although I do have my 'divine' moments, I don't even try to imagine what people think, BUT I do pay attention to what they say.
Example, a progressive gentleman in a very lucrative private business was once bitching how stupid the govt (PA) was and how it was hurting business etc etc. This same gentleman after this conversation was seen at PA functions canvassing etc. I mean, wtf mate?
Lenin, Mao and Hitler had one thing in common, they were Ruthless and had the 'gift of gab' to convince their people. Once they got into power, they told people exactly what to do, think and watch and hear and on and on and on. Their belief system was false on every aspect it addressed.
YET, Hitler did manage to mobilise all of Germany into one monster (they did that together), Lenin kicked out the tsars with the help of the people as did Mao.
Now, pray tell, how anything that has been done by any government has been for the people and not for their personal enrichment? How is one of the smallest democracies in the world have a bigger cabinet than the largest in the world (India)? WHy are their so much division in every coalition?
Like I said, individuals are smart, people are not. Its the herd mentality.
when i say followers i mean active supporters of coercion.
why?i also don't know. but the fact is when they mark that cross each individual voter has decided on his own free will. may be one person liked that lunatic woman's smile, may be his friends were going to vote the same way, may be her father voted the same, may be he thinks he can see the bigger picture :-) etc. but that voter has decided that particular reason(or reasons) has more weight than the reasons for voting for a different choice.
if we want to live in a democracy we have to respect that choice.
problem with dictators and authoritarian ideologies is precisely that they don't offer a free choice and do not respect the people. they think they know what's good for the people.
I for one would vote green, because of Premadasa. Now he was a brilliant man.
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