I had lunch today with 2 very interesting people. One kept me in stitches throughout lunch. The other intrigued me.
From what little I gleaned during the hour or so we spent, this 2nd person was an Idealist as he embodied one of those champions of human rights and the environment: he was into politics from the other side of the fence, and he was into “making a change”.
After lunch, and an interesting recount of life outside of the ruling party and a little insight into global warming, I got to thinking.
I used to be political Idealist. I used to think that I could make a change in the way things were politically. However, reality set in and years of sitting around in the political service centres told me that one person could not make any change. Not from within and definitely not from without. In the end, you conform or leave. And tell me, how many people in the seat of power will choose to leave when push comes to shove?
Its easy to talk about championing the rights of the people, but how many people want their rights championed anyway? Its fun to yell slogans when campaigning but so long as they have a roof over their heads and food on their table, and maybe some savings in the bank, most people are content to let whoever run the country run it so long as these essentials aren’t disturbed. That probably explains why some states can continue remaining in the hands of the Opposition without any signs of wanting the ruling government to get in. Let them in and you disturb the equilibrium.
So, I’m a political Realist. I’ve never voted because I don’t believe it makes a change to anything. Also, the candidates for my constituency suck. I didn’t want to vote in just another puppy dog who licks the boots of their masters who got them that seat. The opposition wasn’t much better. As a matter of interest, I raised a concern with my local ADUN (state assemblyman) about the local council drawing yellow lines in front of my house. I asked why there was double-standards as only the houses in my row had these yellow lines which mean that you cannot park in front of your house! How ridiculous is that? I got a reply. It simply said to live with it or something or that other residents wanted it. Hello? We did not have a resident committee and I sure never signed any petition to have these lines drawn! If my state assemblyman would not champion my rights as a houseowner, I don’t see how a vote in his favour next election can make a difference. Anyway, bygones.
Then, there’s the environment. Sensitive topic, yes? Yes, I’m aware that the ice caps are melting. In fact, on the front page of The Sun today, is a reminder that the ice caps are melting faster than we think. I fully understand all that. But what does that mean for you and me? It may mean hotter weather, but we live in the tropics. Hot weather is the norm.
How about cars then? The more cars we have on the road, the more carbon monoxide is released into the air and the worse the green house effect gets. Ok, so what? I decide not to drive. Do I walk to work? No, because I don’t work near where I live. How many people do?
Do I take the public transport? In Malaysia? You gotta be kidding me. There is no semblance of a public transport system here. You’d be better off walking.
So, I’m a Realist. Don’t talk to me about saving the environment while:
- there is no public transport alternative to cars here
- you still sleep in your air conditioned bedrooms every night
- you still sit in your air conditioned offices everyday even while you champion for reducing CFCs into the air
- you make disposable diapers that don’t bio-degrade
- you make people’s lives easier by having disposable diapers and encourage busy parents to use them
- you make sanitary pads that don’t bio-degrade for women who want the convenience without the mess
- you make better and more absorbent material for said pads and diapers, yes, that don’t bio-degrade
- you chop down trees to make political and “Save the Environment” posters
- you don’t make recycling bins easily available and whatever that exists are run down and not maintained
- you don’t educate the people but merely run campaigns to save the ice caps
I’m a Realist. Yes, we can make a difference. But not just one person can. You need to improve public transport, you need to ban air-conditioners, you need to reduce the sales of cars, you need to resort to using leaves for women and babies…. you get the idea. But it’ll never happen because you’ll never get voted into power in any country in the world! See Political Realist above.
Its not practical. Its not modern. Its not developed.
But its reality.
Reality sucks doesn’t it?
Now, don’t all hate me at once yeah?
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12 comments ↓
No sanitary pads cos they destroy the environment? You gotta be kidding me! :p No way will I subject myself to leaves or that contraption called Mooncups!
I heard about global warming over the radio and it said that the ice-caps will probably melt in 20 yrs time. Simple solution: Don’t have kids cos it’ll be one screwed world we’ll be bringing them into and one that’ll probably end in their lifetime! As for biofuels, thumbs down. All it’s been doing is making the competition between food and energy even keener and depriving poor ppl of cooking oil just because a richer person wants to put it in their car.
As for being a political realist/idealist, I think people who sit around bitching about how inefficient things are or how screwed up the gahmen is should just migrate where the grass seems greener…ah, that probably means me too :p
*climbs off soapbox*
PB says: bwahaha… everywhere also the gahmen is screwed up la. Its what level of screwy-ness we can handle. And pads don’t bio-degrade so in 100 years they’ll still be digging them up - EW!
*hand-polishes soap box*
*wait, it’s a wooden soap box!*
Enjoyed your tirades, very much!
PB Says: Thanks! and the ol soapbox could do with some spit and polish some times hehe
I’m a political realist too, haven’t voted at all… I do what I can to help the environment, but I daresay I’m not exactly the tree hugger either if it’s inconvenient for me… lol!
PB says: Yep that’s more or less what I do. Do what I can but not go out of the way to do it. The world is already so screwed anyway.
I guess I’m a political Realist who still harbours Idealist thoughts and is strongly inclined towards attempting to make a change with my miniscule vote. But I really enjoyed your point of view! More please? I wanna broaden my horizons and views. *grin*
PB says: Good gal! Don’t be a jaded old cow like me hehe…
Oh wait. This is Malaysian politics. I almost thought you were talking about America.
I have given up on people doing anything worth while. Power corrupts. Absolute power, corrupts absolutely. I will just leave my hope with God. He is the only one that will not disappoint me for petty desires.
PB Says: Politics is the same the world over. No such thing as an honest politician. And at the end of it all, its just you and God anyway.
Hear hear! My sentiments exactly. I don’t vote as well, ‘cos I honestly do not think it makes a difference. Campaign all you want, but when no changes are being made after the pretty promises, you did not win my heart, nor my support.
To me, there is no such thing as “public transportation” and “saving the environment” in Malaysia. Not when the so-called public transportation is as reliable as nuts, and people still throw their rubbish at the “Do not throw rubbish” zone (even with the sign up).
It’s all very sad, in this Boleh-land we live in.
PB says: Yep that’s precisely what I’m seeing. Lots of empty promises, lots of money going into others pockets and no difference at the end of the day. It is all very sad.
Public transportation in KL is so much better than that in Penang. But I digress…
I don’t think we’ll ever be able to make do without air-conditioning, sanitary towels and disposable diapers.
Paris, I applaud you for a post well ranted!
PB Says: Thanks GT! Its easy to talk about saving the environment but not so easy when one has to give up creature comforts to do it eh?
If most don’t vote, how can any voice be heard? How can any ideas be known? Any change be made? Every single one vote sends out a signal. Just like every single one hit on your blog gives you a high. Vote. It’s our right. It’s our responsiblity. It’s our one true voice to stay united in peace.
*climbing down ladder - soap box stacked 2 storeys high*
PB Says: And for that I applaud you! I just don’t have that kind of conviction anymore
I vote! Although I am one teeny weeny voice, I still vote. And I do believe it makes a difference.
PB Says: And I salute you GT! At least you have convictions. Me? I’m just jaded
i never vote too…
i hope more peple read this post…hehe..
PB Says: If I had something to vote for I probably would and I hope I don’t get thrown into jail or something for writing this LOL…
I’m not eligible to vote yet but I think I’ll vote. And I’ll probably be voting for the opposition. Though my vote seems puny in importance, yet I do think it still can make a difference. It’s not like the oppositions are gonna win, no, but at least the votes they gather wud be larger, and that’ll make them a bigger voice in the parliament. BN wud then start to feel worry, and hopefully, they get things right b4 everything is in chaos. But if everyone refrains from voting, wat wud it turn out to be? BN wud rule forever! Isn’t that the worst nightmare ever?
PB says: Well that’s the thing really. Is there an Opposition worth voting for? Not just for the sake of voting in a larger voice or for the sake of voting the Opposition just because you don’t like the ruling party? The short answer is no. And even if they get in, there’s nothing much they can do and by the next election they are out again. If we had an option like in the UK or USA where their ruling party and opposition are equally strong and either can form the Government. Then, then talk to me again about voting and exercising my rights.
Have you heard of the project by No Impact Man? It’s pretty cool and it fits in with your no sanitary pad / diapers / aircon / cars stuff. Check it out… at http://noimpactman.typepad.com/blog/.