Sat, 01/12/2007 - 01:00 | by admin
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The business of politics is alive and well in Chile, making headlines on a daily basis. And, although the art of politics is, perhaps, somewhat confused, the game of politics is simply fascinating to watch!
Politics as business, art and game - is that possible? It most certainly is and practised to perfection in many a country.
“¿Por qué no te callas?” (Why don’t you shut up?) said the King to the President at a recent international forum. The President did no such thing and has been talking non-stop ever since. The King went home and the crowds loved him once again.
The great Winston Churchill had something to say about that. “Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”
Winston also said: “Politics is not a game. It is an earnest business.”
But, in Chile, we have essentially reached a “political standstill”, a time when no party has any idea where it is going, what it is doing or even what it really stands for. At least in the United States, the UK, France or Italy, there are usually clear differences of opinion and plan between the leading parties.
Today in Chile “the common man” (me) would find it extremely difficult to explain the political spectrum to a guest from abroad. I might, of course, invite some politicians over for dinner to explain themselves, but that would be traumatic because each would 1) talk, 2) talk more, 3) talk louder, 4) refuse to listen, and then 5) leave early slamming the door and probably taking my silver knife and fork with him…
So, Party Politics has become confused even to those who supposedly run the parties. Loyalty to your party appears to be inversely proportional to the size of your ego.
Reality or Show? The truth is that there is no reality - it’s all show and the result is the longest-running, most watched, most expensive and idiotic Reality Show ever to be broadcast. And they want my vote! Nulo! No way!
You may think I am being overly harsh but then I would disagree. Public servants should live to a different standard to the common man (me) because they have chosen to be Public and requested to be Servants.
It’s time to perform or get off the potty. And, by the way, someone needs to tell our politicians we are not all as daft as a wet rag. Transantiago is and will remain an incredibly expensive mess so why not just say “we messed up, sorry”. We will always forgive “sorry” but not the constant “he did it”, “she did it”, “I didn’t know” denial antics.
More rhetoric, accusations and empty promises will no longer suffice. Enough! Viva Democracy - but, for gawd’s sake, make it work.
A final thought from Winston: “Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except all those others that have been tried from time to time.”
I remain eternally grateful to the Producers of Party or Politics, a true-to-life Reality Show, but I am terrified to think these people have actually been chosen to rule over me.
¿Por qué no te callas? And deliver the goods. Where’s the beef? Remember?
Santiago Eneldo,
(Profanities and political prophecies to santiagoeneldo@yahoo.com)
Party or Politics - Reality or Show?
By By Santiago EneldoPrintSend to friend
The business of politics is alive and well in Chile, making headlines on a daily basis. And, although the art of politics is, perhaps, somewhat confused, the game of politics is simply fascinating to watch!
Politics as business, art and game - is that possible? It most certainly is and practised to perfection in many a country.
“¿Por qué no te callas?” (Why don’t you shut up?) said the King to the President at a recent international forum. The President did no such thing and has been talking non-stop ever since. The King went home and the crowds loved him once again.
The great Winston Churchill had something to say about that. “Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”
Winston also said: “Politics is not a game. It is an earnest business.”
But, in Chile, we have essentially reached a “political standstill”, a time when no party has any idea where it is going, what it is doing or even what it really stands for. At least in the United States, the UK, France or Italy, there are usually clear differences of opinion and plan between the leading parties.
Today in Chile “the common man” (me) would find it extremely difficult to explain the political spectrum to a guest from abroad. I might, of course, invite some politicians over for dinner to explain themselves, but that would be traumatic because each would 1) talk, 2) talk more, 3) talk louder, 4) refuse to listen, and then 5) leave early slamming the door and probably taking my silver knife and fork with him…
So, Party Politics has become confused even to those who supposedly run the parties. Loyalty to your party appears to be inversely proportional to the size of your ego.
Reality or Show? The truth is that there is no reality - it’s all show and the result is the longest-running, most watched, most expensive and idiotic Reality Show ever to be broadcast. And they want my vote! Nulo! No way!
You may think I am being overly harsh but then I would disagree. Public servants should live to a different standard to the common man (me) because they have chosen to be Public and requested to be Servants.
It’s time to perform or get off the potty. And, by the way, someone needs to tell our politicians we are not all as daft as a wet rag. Transantiago is and will remain an incredibly expensive mess so why not just say “we messed up, sorry”. We will always forgive “sorry” but not the constant “he did it”, “she did it”, “I didn’t know” denial antics.
More rhetoric, accusations and empty promises will no longer suffice. Enough! Viva Democracy - but, for gawd’s sake, make it work.
A final thought from Winston: “Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except all those others that have been tried from time to time.”
I remain eternally grateful to the Producers of Party or Politics, a true-to-life Reality Show, but I am terrified to think these people have actually been chosen to rule over me.
¿Por qué no te callas? And deliver the goods. Where’s the beef? Remember?
Santiago Eneldo,
(Profanities and political prophecies to santiagoeneldo@yahoo.com) 
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