Gina Fernandes writes:" I am not sure if I am right to say... why don't we request all our Niz Goemkars to come out with a signature campaign to kick out the illeterate politicians.."
Response: Neither am I, dear Gina. For one thing most of our politicians are not illiterate (and by the way illiterate is not spelt 'illeterate') Most have decent educational qualifications and even those that do not, have an intelligence that usually far exceeds that of those who may have a string of degrees. They also have the capacity to embody the aspirations of large numbers of people; they have the ability to mobilize people; they are opinion leaders ... These sorts of qualities are not very simple to acquire and retain. Some people think that just money and muscle power will win elections: if that were true then the Tatas, the Birlas or the Dempos and the Chowgules would be Prime Ministers and Chief Ministers. (Someone may point out that Anil Salgaocar is an MLA - true, but remember that he is just a fringe player as a politician at least as of now; and that position too he has gained after considerable effort for he lost an election the first time round). True money and muscle are factors but I don't think that voters really can be bought: if they had realistic choices and not just token 'honest' candidates to choose from they would have been elected in. The problem with our politicians is their values: and these values are strangely just like our own. Like us they worship money. The difference is that unlike us who do what we do half heartedly, they take their God very seriously, and they do whatever it takes to appease this deity. This is why they are so successful in whatever they do. Those who look down upon politicians do not understand politics and will never be able to throw those politicians out. Look at your letter, dear Gina. Sitting comfortably in some foreign clime you hold on to the touching belief that writing letters and starting signature campaigns will change the political scenario in Goa. Sigh. Having said that let me not discourage you. Please don't stop your earnest efforts. If you can prove my cynical views to be wrong then I'd be glad to be wrong. Cheers Augusto -- Augusto Pinto 40, Novo Portugal, Moira, Bardez, Goa, India E [email protected] or [email protected] P 0832-2470336 M 9881126350
