WHAT OTER TYPE OF ARE YOU ?
The presidential election is on us. It seems that each presidential campaign season brings with it no shortage of new (mostly old) ideas of how to fix what ails our country. Many of these gems involve spending a lot of taxpayer money mainly because that’s an easy way to buy voters and contributes little practical thought -- on peripheral problems, many of which may or may not, in fact, be problems.
What’s seems to be lost in these conversations is an honest and rigorous evaluation of how we got here. Today the country’s system of Governance is a mess. Naturally, the average voter today is confused. He cannot fathom as to which politician he can trust or which political party he can depend upon.
FREE CHOICE
We have been told over and over by these politicians that we have a free choice on whom we vote for. We have also been told that we can expect a “free and fair” election. According to them we have one of the best democracies in the world. The statement gives a “nice” feeling to the average voter. But he is still confused because he has three questions, yet unanswered.
His three questions are as follows: During the past seven decades, have we used that “freedom” to elect honest and talented people? If we have, then why should most of the people be disappointed in the integrity of our political system? Doesn’t it show that a huge disconnect exists between us, the voters and the people who are getting elected.
These are valid questions. None of the current candidates will dare to answer them. On top of these three questions, one of the other things often spoken is the average citizen’s disgust about the influx of money into politics and the undue influence of special interests and lobbyists. Because of the close link between money and political power, many voters believe the system is rigged against the average person. Big money talks, and while campaign donors have ready access to politicians, the average citizen is often ignored and has no voice.
CHOICES
While thinking on these lines, sometimes I think that voting in Sri Lanka is just like buying a packet of cereal. The rationale is simple. You have a choice to make. You obtain information from the box, from past experience, from ads and commercials and from friends. You cannot taste every cereal, so you end up with two options; first is to the pack you’ve always bought and be happy, the second is to evaluate the information you have collected and make up your mind to buy another brand or not. If you want to take a mental shortcut, go for option number one.
Because of the close link between money and political power, many voters believe the system is rigged against the average person. Big money talks, and while campaign donors have ready access to politicians, the average citizen is often ignored and has no voice WE HAVE BEEN TOLD OVER AND OVER BY THESE POLITICIANS THAT WE HAVE A FREE CHOICE ON WHOM WE VOTE FOR. WE HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD THAT WE CAN EXPECT A “FREE AND FAIR” ELECTION. ACCORDING TO THEM WE HAVE ONE OF THE BEST DEMOCRACIES IN THE WORLD.