Thursday, October 24, 2013

The Congress and the Gandhis

The very essence of democracy precludes the concept of any single family controlling the political system of a country. We are well within our rights to ask about the education, experience and intellectual depth of this man. What is his source of livelihood? What educational degree does he possess? What are his religious beliefs and how does he apply them? (No problem if he is an atheist). Does he have only an Indian passport or an Italian one as well? All are important to me in deciding whether he has the qualities I look forward to in a leader. No single family can continue contributing to the 'polity ' of  any nation unquestioned and uninterrupted. Otherwise, how different is  this from a new kind of caste system and a monarchy?

It is in the interest of the Congress and the Gandhis to keep a substantial segment of the population of India poor, uneducated and uninformed. This segment will, without question, be affected by emotion because their
lives are driven by the sheer daily need to survive and they cannot think for long periods of time on strategic matters, not because they are stupid, but because their circumstances do not give them time, access to information and the right kind of exposure to make considered decisions. Maslow's theory does matter. Therefore talking about generations past helps his case, though it is shallow and has no meaning  in the present context. And therefore, Rahul Gandhi will not engage with an educated audience who will have tough questions and cannot be bulldozed by tears about his Grandma.

There is no governance on the ground in India. We watch our 'rulers' (what does this mean? How dare they deign to 'rule' us? ) zip around in cars with  shaded windows, creating systems that are useful for them in looting us  unquestioned, generation after generation.

Rahul Gandhi and the Congress do not have the right to rule us for ever.

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