Folks, I would like to inform you that the most recent post got a few more private emails back to me. That is a positive sign. Obviously, it gives me great hope that there are at least a few Goans out there, that may be willing to do a bit more than just fart on GoaNet. It also gives me an indication that some of you may be willing to provide help without publicity.
Therefore, if you do have ideas on how to generate public support to help make a better Goa and possibly help raise funding, I encourage you to please revert back to me privately. A bit about myself: ------------------- I was born, grew up and educated in Goa. I am in my forties and I have spent about half my life in the US - designing, developing and transforming complex algorithms into computer software programs. I am a US citizen and I cannot run for any political office in Goa. I would like to think I have done quite well for my family and myself - and I am not interested in any fame, political favors or financial gain by involving myself in this proposed movement in Goa. In fact, all I would like to do is to help jump start the movement and slowly fade into the background. Why I Believe Goa Is Going Down-hill: ------------------------------------- I am realizing that just a few Goan political elite and their financial backers are powering the greed to become ever more wealthy on the backs of hard working Goans. There are no checks and balances, which makes it fairly easy for them to take Goans for suckers. To be fair, we cannot cast the blame entirely on the 40 MLA's who run the show in Goa. We have ourselves to blame for at least part of the mess. How come? Well, I had the misfortune of running into a cabinet member of a certain political party in Goa. I had known him a long time ago when I was a teenager in Goa and he was a nobody. Anyway, during our casual conversation, I asked him point blank how he was able to acquire immense wealth that was obviously dis-proportionate to his known sources of income. He told me laughingly - he has only Goans to thank for it. Basically, he went on to explain that at the time of running for elections, virtually every Sarpanch and their deputies, demanded bribes in exchange for political support in their respective wards and villages. To make matters worse, many Goans from his constituency demanded cash, motor bikes, cars, refrigerators and other such goodies for their support. He said, he took out personal loans besides getting the funding from his political bosses and other financiers to help pay for these demands. Eventually when he did get elected and with his good fortune - got inducted in the Goa cabinet, he promptly began the process to recoup the money he had spent and some more. In his opinion, it is not just the politicians that are corrupt - it is the entire society in Goa that is corrupt! And here we are - bitching and complaining about the ministers and their so called puppets for inaction to people's demands. Even though I do not live in Goa anymore, I am fully aware where many of the problems lie. But what can we do to change the game? Stay tuned for Part-2 of this thread. Jim Fernandes. New York.
