Why I did not Vote...
I am fed up explaining to people why I did not vote in the 2007 Trinidad and Tobago General Elections. The fact that you are reading this means that you most likely asked why I did not vote and I most likely gave you this link. Or maybe you're an avid reader that checks my blog daily for updates.
Firstly I am disenchanted with Trinidad and Tobago Politics which is a subset of Trinidad and Tobago Society. The masses choose the Government. Is the voice of the people the voice of God? I hope not.
An election campaign, quite unfortunately, can be likened to a marketing campaign. Politicians peddle their products to a varied and segmented market. Competition is high due to scarcity (41 seats to be exact), therefore an almost perfect marketing campaign is key to high sales, i.e. votes. The marketing campaign is the political one. Your market determines your marketing strategy. Market research determines what your market wants and forms your strategy. The majority of your market makes up the votes that will get you in. Therefore your marketing campaign and strategy must appeal to the masses.
Seemingly the masses want wine and jam, free alcohol, free food, mudslinging, who tief what when, who own what mansion where, who have two passports, who sleep with who, who sit on who lap, who like who pipe, etc. This is great for a carnival fete or great material for a national soap opera of the likes of Calabash Alley, No Boundaries or West Wood Park to be aired on the likes of Synergy or Gayelle, The Channel. But we are talking about the management of a nation and its scarce resources, we're talking about doing what is best for an entire society and not certain subsets of society. We are talking about someone managing our daily lives on our behalves. We are talking about issues, your issues, my issues, our issues.
The masses appear to be unconcerned about the issues or not concerned enough. The masses do not understand that dealing with the issues is choosing a Government that will. The masses think that dealing with the issues is about going on TV6 News and complaining. The masses think that dealing with the issues is to burn something toxic in the road or to stand up outside White Hall in an all night vigil while the politicians are sleeping, unconcerned, in their safety zones.
The masses have short and selective memories. The masses remember roads paved so that we can drive on smoother roads in grid-locked traffic, the masses remember waterfront projects at the expense of poverty empowerment programs, the masses remember housing schemes which are really organized and controlled ghettos and shanty towns, the masses remember million dollar a day blimps and high priced Scotland Yard detectives at the sacrifice of decent police stations and police vehicles, the masses remember schools built on an education foundation that is weak and in dire need of repairs, the masses remember crime prevention while those in power wine and dine the criminal element, the masses remember promises on political platforms today but forget those unfulfilled on platforms 5 years ago, the masses remember unemployment relief programs at the expense of capacity building and self empowerment, the masses remember vision 20/20 when some cannot see beyond tomorrow.
The Politicians are smarter than they appear. They put things in place to keep the masses uneducated and despondent to the issues. If the masses were to be educated and attain a higher level of discernment hopefully leading to giving a damn about the issues which need to be discussed and dealt with, what would politicians do? Be forced to talk about the issues and strategies instead of parading on political platforms with soap opera like and chaotic behaviour. Which is easier? To deal with issues or dress up a goat in your party jersey and parade it on stage? Much to the delight of the masses...
The masses votes are won by politricks, theatrics, and carefully planned out Hollywood scripts. The masses are most affected by the issues because they lack the economic and social power to overcome them, yet they do not see this. They are supporting five more years of struggle, hardship, strife, not sharing in the energy wealth of T&T and they will continue churning out children like if they were paid to. And for what? To dwell in the mess that we are breeding. Or is it to breed in the mess in which we are dwelling?
I refuse to not have a choice. I refuse to put my vote by a party because they are the least of three evils. I want to vote for representation that I want to vote for. Not because of representation I want to vote against. How can I knowingly set out to cast desire and willingness for representation from any of these jokers?
I refuse to be a part of a system that perpetuates stupidity and ignorance. I refuse to be part of a system that ignores the issues. I refuse to be part of a system that has egotistical children running a big man's show. I refuse to be part of a system that insults my intelligence with lies, gimmicks, empty promises, chaos, bacchanal and "making me look better by making you look worse". I refuse to be part of a system that says take my nonsense on a daily basis because this is the best that Trinidad has to offer.
My vote is my refusal to vote. My vote is my say that I do not wish to be a part of this.
I'm sure that when I wake up the day after elections I've put my X in the right place...
Have you?
Firstly I am disenchanted with Trinidad and Tobago Politics which is a subset of Trinidad and Tobago Society. The masses choose the Government. Is the voice of the people the voice of God? I hope not.
An election campaign, quite unfortunately, can be likened to a marketing campaign. Politicians peddle their products to a varied and segmented market. Competition is high due to scarcity (41 seats to be exact), therefore an almost perfect marketing campaign is key to high sales, i.e. votes. The marketing campaign is the political one. Your market determines your marketing strategy. Market research determines what your market wants and forms your strategy. The majority of your market makes up the votes that will get you in. Therefore your marketing campaign and strategy must appeal to the masses.
Seemingly the masses want wine and jam, free alcohol, free food, mudslinging, who tief what when, who own what mansion where, who have two passports, who sleep with who, who sit on who lap, who like who pipe, etc. This is great for a carnival fete or great material for a national soap opera of the likes of Calabash Alley, No Boundaries or West Wood Park to be aired on the likes of Synergy or Gayelle, The Channel. But we are talking about the management of a nation and its scarce resources, we're talking about doing what is best for an entire society and not certain subsets of society. We are talking about someone managing our daily lives on our behalves. We are talking about issues, your issues, my issues, our issues.
The masses appear to be unconcerned about the issues or not concerned enough. The masses do not understand that dealing with the issues is choosing a Government that will. The masses think that dealing with the issues is about going on TV6 News and complaining. The masses think that dealing with the issues is to burn something toxic in the road or to stand up outside White Hall in an all night vigil while the politicians are sleeping, unconcerned, in their safety zones.
The masses have short and selective memories. The masses remember roads paved so that we can drive on smoother roads in grid-locked traffic, the masses remember waterfront projects at the expense of poverty empowerment programs, the masses remember housing schemes which are really organized and controlled ghettos and shanty towns, the masses remember million dollar a day blimps and high priced Scotland Yard detectives at the sacrifice of decent police stations and police vehicles, the masses remember schools built on an education foundation that is weak and in dire need of repairs, the masses remember crime prevention while those in power wine and dine the criminal element, the masses remember promises on political platforms today but forget those unfulfilled on platforms 5 years ago, the masses remember unemployment relief programs at the expense of capacity building and self empowerment, the masses remember vision 20/20 when some cannot see beyond tomorrow.
The Politicians are smarter than they appear. They put things in place to keep the masses uneducated and despondent to the issues. If the masses were to be educated and attain a higher level of discernment hopefully leading to giving a damn about the issues which need to be discussed and dealt with, what would politicians do? Be forced to talk about the issues and strategies instead of parading on political platforms with soap opera like and chaotic behaviour. Which is easier? To deal with issues or dress up a goat in your party jersey and parade it on stage? Much to the delight of the masses...
The masses votes are won by politricks, theatrics, and carefully planned out Hollywood scripts. The masses are most affected by the issues because they lack the economic and social power to overcome them, yet they do not see this. They are supporting five more years of struggle, hardship, strife, not sharing in the energy wealth of T&T and they will continue churning out children like if they were paid to. And for what? To dwell in the mess that we are breeding. Or is it to breed in the mess in which we are dwelling?
I refuse to not have a choice. I refuse to put my vote by a party because they are the least of three evils. I want to vote for representation that I want to vote for. Not because of representation I want to vote against. How can I knowingly set out to cast desire and willingness for representation from any of these jokers?
I refuse to be a part of a system that perpetuates stupidity and ignorance. I refuse to be part of a system that ignores the issues. I refuse to be part of a system that has egotistical children running a big man's show. I refuse to be part of a system that insults my intelligence with lies, gimmicks, empty promises, chaos, bacchanal and "making me look better by making you look worse". I refuse to be part of a system that says take my nonsense on a daily basis because this is the best that Trinidad has to offer.
My vote is my refusal to vote. My vote is my say that I do not wish to be a part of this.
I'm sure that when I wake up the day after elections I've put my X in the right place...
Have you?
posted by gerardmedwards at 6:23 PM
1 Comments:
Thank you Gerard for sharing your thoughts in cyberspace. As always we bless the ancient blog spirits who dwell in harmony and free speech.
To the matter of your entry - while I empathize with your decision to not vote I am troubled that you believe that your act of non-involvment is justifiable.
The right to vote is the vehicle upon which democracy runs and like it not that is our political system. By your not voting you are neither selecting nor de-selecting a candidate. Instead you are retreating thereby excusing yourself from making hard decisions.
I suspect in life that what makes better, best and wise from just very smart is the ability to rationally make choices amongst ambiguous options.
We are too young to settle into apathy and silent protest. Make the vote and in time change the very system that you oppose from the inside.
The way out is the way through.
I can't wait to put my 'X' in the future next to a name that has a mind as eloquent and sophisticated as yours.
X
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