By Joe Oliver Mae Ryan Lyngdoh
And here we are yet again gearing up for the supposed hype of choosing our representatives aka “elections.” Another Power Struggle by so called “Leaders” and “Representatives” turned “Esteemed VIPs” – to the very same people who they are supposed to serve. Because why not? They are the face of the people, the ones who sit and make decisions for us the masses (although we can argue as to who those so-called decisions actually benefit).
Wait, did I say “esteemed VIP’s”? I often wonder why the term “VIP” is thrown so casually around in our country. I mean a doctor, an army man, a teacher even, who dedicate their lives to the people can be respected as important. But an elected official who is supposed to serve us is a VIP? And we have to knock and cower in front of their offices when we actually go and meet them?
Let me ask you, you the reader – educated, born and brought up here in the humble abode of clouds- Why are we such selfish, opportunistic, simplistic idiots?
Idiots! That is who we are. Why?
Because we see opportunity only for a short term. We are happy being supporters of these so called “leaders” for a few weeks (of course with some perks) and we love to hear the same manifesto again and again- the promise of jobs, infrastructure, safety et al (Although we never see light of any of these).
We don’t stop to think- What can this person do in the long run? What did he/she do in the last five years? Did we gain anything? Or have we all stooped to a level of being happy with the freebies given for a short time?
We do see opportunity, it’s not that we don’t. But what we see isn’t for the betterment of everyone but for a select few. And maybe this is engraved in us because most of us fail to see the larger picture and are willing to be happy- momentarily.
And here I thought our people were better, that we serve one another. “Ka im lang ka sah lang, na ka bynta ka man briew long briew”. As it turns out we are selfish in every sense of the word.
We are fools to think that we are choosing these “representatives” to represent us. We are not choosing a leader to represent us but we are handing our rights and needs to a single individual who then utilizes that “representative” seat to wield power. Power to do as they please without any consequences. If a person who was an ex-militant who for more than once has threatened and held captive the people he now “assumingly” wants to “represent” can have a seat in office whereas you require a high school certificate, police verification, a written test followed by an interview, for a person to apply and be qualified for a mere driver’s job, it makes you think what kind of bureaucracy we are dealing with.
Sure, give a man with a criminal record a seat to represent us, but have a clean, educated and someone who can pass the test and an interview drive the man around; and that too if you have “luck” to clear the exam.
Isn’t this an abuse of power? All for selfish reasons?
One can only look at how much of “assets” these “representatives” actually gain in the few years they sit in office “assumingly serving” the people. (Selfish?)
Wake up people! Facts and figures speak for themselves.
Or what about the lavish festivals we keep on seeing and enjoying. What actual benefit do the people get? Only a few can reap the so-called benefits. (Covid has put a dampener on these in recent times, although one can counter there are other ways to make a quick buck even in these times)
No wonder the term “corrupt” dominates every household conversation.
We the people are too simple minded, taking everything that is fed at face value. We don’t analyze; we don’t ask questions; we are content if we can survive on our own 9-5 even if it means the rest can drown. We don’t see the bigger picture, we don’t think. If something works out for the moment, that’s what we will follow. But when we see someone else doing something and then prospering, we move to our kitchens and quietly have banters on – illegal immigrants, job dissatisfaction, job-drains and the like; You name it!
But when the time to do something for the same comes, a few will actually stand while the rest move to the side-lines. And when the few who stood fail, quiet banters start again.
Aren’t we foolish to be doing that? When we the people don’t stand up for our own rights, who will? Our selfish elected “representatives”? The very same people who will use any way possible to get what they want or to get the promises fulfilled to the select few of their overly zealous followers?
But who am I to think along these lines? When aspiring educators and established well respected teachers are offered such meagre pay that it makes you question the value we give to education?
And yet every time we hear education as the most prevalent issue by these so called “representatives”.
When we give much more importance to an elected official rather than an educator, I say that we are indeed fools.
That is why we are “Idiots” heading towards “Idiocracy” sooner than later.
-From a fellow simplistic, opportunistic, foolish idiot.
PS- Its high time we also look into why so many prefer to stay anonymous in letters in this newspaper. Maybe because when we say something that goes against the so-called ideals of the masses or if we offer a critique about the ones in power, we the ones who don’t wield that power, and the ones who still need to make a living somehow, need to safeguard our identities for the fear of backlash against us.