January 25, 2014

Dear Sir,

Some friends were talking about conspiracies and I confessed that I think I have my own. I have had an agenda and have had one for a long time. My problem has always been getting my agenda through because I haven’t pulled together the political clout to achieve them. So if I have one isn’t that enough evidence to suspect that others have one also. Unless we consider that people can be as benign and selfless as not to have agendas.

Why I make mention is because higher political wisdom assumes that we all have agendas, and therefore political construct should be the instrument that balances all our agendas.

The higher aim of a wise political construct would be to facilitate the public good in a way that is fair and promotes equality. The problem is when the political process or construct is hijacked, and in real terms does not belong to the public.

One of the compelling reasons why parties do not want to be public institutions regulated by general rules is because they are susceptible to the hidden influence of agendas that are not up for public scrutiny. Of course every denial will be uttered, but the man in charge is rarely the man in charge.

Platforms and political rhetoric are platitudes that veil the real workings of the political construct. Propose that political parties become regulated and bought in line with the electoral and the human rights acts.

Or propose that parliamentarians have the same protection under the human rights act. Propose that the entire electorate have the right to stand for whatever party of choice and be selected though a process that includes the vote of the entire electorate.

You will either hear absolutely nothing or verbal garbage. That’s because those who have an agenda can steer the parties and don’t want to lose that option, and it does not matter what party name, or stated philosophy.

Poor politicians are blinded by the process, and for the most part are used like chess pawns. Party members are beguiled by the stated causes, or party stated goals, and blind to the process.

Nothing is wrong with having agendas, having hegemony over the political process is what makes agendas foul.

KHALID WASI