A Stone in My Shoe

Pix 1: The Godfather Part 3

As I watch and ponder over the current UMNO elections, my mind wanders to recent democratic elections, ours and the United States in particular, as well as the upcoming Indian and Indonesian (Presidential) elections.

My mind wanders to a scene in Godfather 3...

Don Altobello, an ageing New York Mafia Chief as well as an old friend of the Corleones, but in reality was scheming against them (Lesson numero uno...your most trusted ally in life, can be your most dangerous foe!), was plotting to kill Michael Corleone and had hired Mosca da Montelepre, a master assassin.

The conversation goes like this...

Mosca: What can I do for you...?

Don Altobello: I have a stone in my shoe. You can remove it.

Mosca (leans over menacingly): Only one stone?

A stone in a shoe.

Well, you see, I have a stone in my shoe and it hurts! The stone has a name too...no, not Michael Corleone. It’s called the ignorant voter. The ignorant voter in a democratic process.

Consider this.

Pix 2: One vote!

Mr ABC is a young father. He graduated from University, nothing great. No First Class Honours but made it nonetheless. Found a job, salary OK but no complaints. Married his school sweetheart and has a child (or two) whom they adore and spoil as much as they can. He reads and keep abreast with the goings on around him. He reads the local daily and magazines (off the shelf at the newsagent…too expensive, ha ha). He’s aware. He knows who are the political leaders in this country, ruling and opposition, and tries to determine what’s good for him in his own way with discussions with friends, all races, at work and after hours.

He gets ONE vote.

Pix 3: One vote too!

DEF did not graduate from any meaningful education institution with any qualification to speak off. No matter…that’s the fault of the Government (he says). He has no job. No matter, he has a motorbike and some of those illegal night race, where they tear down a road in the early hours, gives out money prizes. At any rate, kopi tarik and Maggi mee goring is not expensive. No family. He reads but only to find out which starlet is going out with which prominent VIP, whom he can’t remember nor place. The sordid details are what he is after. As for the current rulers of the country...Nope…don’t know so and so, but he knows they are corrupt. How does he know this...err, well, of course they are corrupt...(someone told him, no need to check, hearsay must be true!!)

He gets ONE vote.

And there is my stone, my gripe with the democratic voter.

Pix 4: Voting.

OK, OK, I know I know...all of us are entitled to the vote. I am all for that but consider this. DEF does not care, is not interested, is not in the least motivated to care for this country. His vote, due to his indifference and sorry state, is open to manipulation and is indeed bought over by unscrupulous tactics of any political party. His vote, however, is also a determinant factor as to where we are headed. Indeed in a democratic system, where ONE vote may make a difference, he is important. Very important.

Now, I ponder...is that fair?

In the United States, I dare say the Hollywood factor is a strong determining force. The voters, though more educated and probably accessible to more media coverage, are probably still swayed to a certain degree by this factor. Though educated, they are swayed by a dream, dreams conjured by films, music videos and the likes.

In the UK, I have come across reports that Gordon Brown is too dour looking! What’s that got to do with performance?

An uneducated voter profile is open to manipulation. The end results are clear to all of us.

In Thailand, the urban voters have installed a new government, through allegedly undemocratic means, as they claim the rural 'uneducated' voters (who are in the majority) were tricked into voting the previous government.

India is next. The world’s largest democracy? Really. Are we to pride ourselves in the fact that everyone can vote one in a few years when these very voters have no idea nor clue as to what these politicians represent? Politicians whom they will see again till the next election?

I read a Bloomberg report recently that there is an actress in Indonesia who made a name clad in a mermaid suit who will contest!!

The vote is sacred. It’s not to be given away freely...oops shades of dictatorship huh? The vote, if you will, must be earned. Indeed everyone must have a vote but the vote...dare I say it…must come with points. Sort of, DEF gets one vote. ABC gets 1.5 votes etc etc. Done social work…add 0.25 to the vote...Like a driving license. Points deducted for wrongdoings!

Wishful thinking?

Either that or we need to educate voters as in creating awareness through quality education but… I’m pragmatic. It’s NOT going to happen. My guess is the current situation serves politicians, of any shade, well.

What could be more easier than to say to DEF…'Hell, you are a good guy actually but have suffered some social injustices...let's parachute over the North Pole!’.

There you go, ONE vote in the pocket! As for ABC…arghh…he’s the difficult one, reads around. Write him off. There’s plenty of DEF. It’s democracy after all...majority wins.

Ouch, this stone hurts like hell!

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