Cogitations
Some research by Transparency International (Global Corruption Barometer 2004) released December 9, 2004 rated various institutions worldwide on the basis of how corrupt they were. They were ranked on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the most corrupt. Political parties led the field with a 4 as the most corrupt institutions on earth, followed by national parliaments and legislatures coming in a close second. Transparency International polled 50,000 persons from 64 countries (Moneylaundering.com, December 14, 2004).
How can this be? Does politics attract the worse elements in society or do people become corrupt after they get into office. Perhaps it is true after all that power does corrupt. Otherwise what does this say for the duplicity of ordinary people who vote them into office.
A pertinent question then, is how can we make sure that we are well served by the persons that we choose for such high office? Current tendency in much of the world is to choose the party one will support and vote for its candidate. Unfortunately, the party spirit has a tendency to polarize and divide. There is also a tendency for the party structure to be such that the leader of each party becomes a prima donna and the other party members so many chorus boys and girls.
One consequence of this is that when decisions are made that affect the nation, the representative for whom they voted, votes with his party, right or wrong rather than according to his conscience or what is in the best interests of his constituency. It may be assumed that what the party decides is always in the best interests of the people. This often means voting for what the leader decides. No single party has a monopoly on this practice.
It has been said that the thing that separates men from boys is the price of their toys. In politics, the thing that separates the men from the boys (or the women from the girls for that matter) is whether they will vote what their consciences dictate, even though it may incite the ire of the party. Will a man or woman who represents a district or state vote always in the best interests of the constituency, or will s/he be concerned about whether s/he will get thrown out of the party and dropped at the next elections? Will this person be willing to forego any perks that go with doing right rather than what is expedient?
We should vote for our representatives on the basis of their capabilities and integrity and not on the basis of party affiliation. The people we choose must be people who know their own minds and will not abdicate their responsibility to represent the interests of their constituents and choose instead to represent the interests of the party.
The world needs men and women in government who will stand for principle though the heavens fall. People who will be as true to principle as the needle is to the pole. Not lemmings that always go with the flow. We deserve what we get if we elect representatives who are like the paramecium fornicatum fornicatum. In the first place, it is a protozoan and the protozoa have no backbone. What is even worse is that it is at one time a male, changes into a female and back into a male when it is convenient. It is whatever the circumstances demand.
We elect representatives to serve us, the hoi polloi. It is our free choice as sovereign individuals. It is not an entitlement of education, talent, good looks or noble birth. It is certainly not an opportunity for egoism, arrogance or overweening pride.
In much of politics vilification is the name of the game. How refreshing it would be to see politicians and their supporters taking the high ground and dealing with issues rather than personalities.
It is doubtful that there has ever been a politician who did not make promises. That is how they get the people to vote for them. Once in office, they become a privileged class who forget that their power was conveyed by the masses. Such lapses of memory last only until the next election. This happens all over the world. Politicians even forget where the money comes from that pays the bills and funds projects.
Sometimes a politician can be heard telling people how much he gave to them or will give to them. Such a person willfully forgets that the funds he has to allocate come from the taxes and excise duties paid by the people and that he has been appointed a steward and not a donor or benefactor. Politicians in office need to be reminded that they are a part of the nation, not apart from it.
For more information visit online at IBCs Now Ltd
How can this be? Does politics attract the worse elements in society or do people become corrupt after they get into office. Perhaps it is true after all that power does corrupt. Otherwise what does this say for the duplicity of ordinary people who vote them into office.
A pertinent question then, is how can we make sure that we are well served by the persons that we choose for such high office? Current tendency in much of the world is to choose the party one will support and vote for its candidate. Unfortunately, the party spirit has a tendency to polarize and divide. There is also a tendency for the party structure to be such that the leader of each party becomes a prima donna and the other party members so many chorus boys and girls.
One consequence of this is that when decisions are made that affect the nation, the representative for whom they voted, votes with his party, right or wrong rather than according to his conscience or what is in the best interests of his constituency. It may be assumed that what the party decides is always in the best interests of the people. This often means voting for what the leader decides. No single party has a monopoly on this practice.
It has been said that the thing that separates men from boys is the price of their toys. In politics, the thing that separates the men from the boys (or the women from the girls for that matter) is whether they will vote what their consciences dictate, even though it may incite the ire of the party. Will a man or woman who represents a district or state vote always in the best interests of the constituency, or will s/he be concerned about whether s/he will get thrown out of the party and dropped at the next elections? Will this person be willing to forego any perks that go with doing right rather than what is expedient?
We should vote for our representatives on the basis of their capabilities and integrity and not on the basis of party affiliation. The people we choose must be people who know their own minds and will not abdicate their responsibility to represent the interests of their constituents and choose instead to represent the interests of the party.
The world needs men and women in government who will stand for principle though the heavens fall. People who will be as true to principle as the needle is to the pole. Not lemmings that always go with the flow. We deserve what we get if we elect representatives who are like the paramecium fornicatum fornicatum. In the first place, it is a protozoan and the protozoa have no backbone. What is even worse is that it is at one time a male, changes into a female and back into a male when it is convenient. It is whatever the circumstances demand.
We elect representatives to serve us, the hoi polloi. It is our free choice as sovereign individuals. It is not an entitlement of education, talent, good looks or noble birth. It is certainly not an opportunity for egoism, arrogance or overweening pride.
In much of politics vilification is the name of the game. How refreshing it would be to see politicians and their supporters taking the high ground and dealing with issues rather than personalities.
It is doubtful that there has ever been a politician who did not make promises. That is how they get the people to vote for them. Once in office, they become a privileged class who forget that their power was conveyed by the masses. Such lapses of memory last only until the next election. This happens all over the world. Politicians even forget where the money comes from that pays the bills and funds projects.
Sometimes a politician can be heard telling people how much he gave to them or will give to them. Such a person willfully forgets that the funds he has to allocate come from the taxes and excise duties paid by the people and that he has been appointed a steward and not a donor or benefactor. Politicians in office need to be reminded that they are a part of the nation, not apart from it.
For more information visit online at IBCs Now Ltd
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