Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Politics of bitter pill vs instant cure By Chow Kum Hor - New Straits Times


BAD FOR COUNTRY: Political pandering for short-term gains is destructive

A MAN met with a nasty accident and was rushed to a nearby hospital. Just before passing out, he told the doctors, "Do whatever you want, just save me!"
Thankfully, the doctors were skilled and experienced enough to turn the victim's misfortune around. In no time, the patient was back on his feet. But this man has a strange tendency of being very pushy towards his doctors. Whenever ill, he prefers instant remedies, often insisting on being prescribed antibiotics for even the mildest cough and flu.
Sometimes, he demands steroid-laden drugs and overdoses on painkillers because it helps him heal faster, despite professional advice to the contrary. Doctors' warning to cut down on unhealthy diet goes unheeded.
This soon took a toll on his health, as symptoms of drug abuses like overdependence on antibiotics and a dreadful dietary habit set in. In the end, the man whom doctors once saved from a horrific road crash, faces long-term health problems, or even a premature death.
The man's story is very much like our political development.
In the past, we pretty much left it to our politicians to handle our nation's affairs. Back then, most people were illiterate and living below the poverty line. All they cared for was to make ends meet.
Just like the accident victim who left his fate entirely to the doctors, the public then pretty much left it to politicians to steer the nation forward. But as the nation progressed, its people naturally became more assertive and demanding, or even pushy. Politicians, not wanting to get the boot at the ballot box, tried their best to dance to the electorate's tunes. There is nothing wrong with politicians, who are voted in by the people, giving in to what their constituents want.


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