Masters of Little Things

28, Jun 1999
Once again the political parties are on the hustings and surely much ado will be made about the question of "national unity". But how is this unity to be forged and fashioned?

We have said elsewhere that "in the history of this world no vague, abstract references have ever made a people unite to build a country. Mere calling for "unity" over and over again is the approach of a simpleton or a boldface deceiver. People unite and coalesce politically around objective programmes of activity geared to fulfil common goals and needs or geared to continuously better the human condition in every way spiritual and material.

It stands to reason, therefore, that the fundamental basis of any unity has to involve the equitable use and distribution of resources that the society either possesses or is organised to produce. What proposed use and distribution of resources can the powers-that-be outline to unite our people today?"

The common politician is always easily identified by the limits and boundaries he places on the desires and demands of the masses of people. He always seems to feel that they are okay once their bellies are filled, their loins are active and there are clothes and shelter in whatever form available.

The common politician panders to the basest requirements of the constituents. He plays on their emotions and builds his rallies and his platforms on their fears; their fears of being left behind, their fears of being unable to compete with the "significant other" social group who may get a jump on them and destine their kith and kin to be hewers of wood and drawers of water forever or merely to be preordained consumers of whatever others design and produce.

Such a common politician is always quick to deliver, in fact he boasts about being so quick in accomplishments, he is Quick-Draw McGraw, because he is restrained by fact that his enemy, time, is on his case and soon his period in office will be up for review.

He cannot countenance query and is uncomfortable with unsettling questions, so the freedom of the press and such unnecessary "rights" must be stymied for the so-called greater good of getting little things done.

Respect and slavish acceptance of authority, seen as typically Eastern Hemispheric, is projected as a greater value than democratic questioning, seen as crass Americanism or typically Western Hemispheric, that serves only to deter the speed of doing little things, like repaving roads, building bridges, joining Macoya Road to the Eastern main Road, running water lines, importing rice that may or may not ever arrive, and handing out government contracts like hot bread to kith and kin, disregarding all legal procedure presumably to facilitate speed.

Nevertheless in regard to everything else the law is the law is the law is the law. When such common politicians, such masters of little things, call for unity, that is "pacotille", the attempt to grab valuables in exchange for trifles, it certainly is not "love". Love, you see, is quite a big thing, and loving takes time.

The statesman builds on dreams, not fears. Such leadership demands changes in the way in which we see and the way we do. Nothing for the statesman is cast in stone. He understands the process of all social development and works assiduously to guarantee the greatest good to the greatest number.

The statesman introduces programmes of activity, nurtured by time and involves everybody in the broadest possible democratic institutions, and builds the infrastructure based on the equitable distribution of resources to guarantee undying love and respect.

We are tired of the Quick-Draw McGraws and the masters of little things.