In a dictatorship, of course, it doesn't matter. People you don't like can rot in hell for all you care. There are no votes to be won; you stay in power as long as you like. That is what Najib meant by saying that he will defend Putrajaya no matter whatever it takes or else he will destroy Malaysia.
If we truly are a democracy, why do we vote for a government that promises to be nice to us only if we support it? Isn't the government's obligation to govern prudently and act for the country's best interest, regardless of public support? In the first place, if a government is doing badly in the polls, shouldn't it be trying to win support by improving its policies, as opposed to cracking the whip?
BN is not a party for all Malaysians; it is not a party for Malaysia. It is a party for cronies alone. Its sole interest is to perpetuate itself, the country be damned.
Now, from an economist's point of view, everyone is self-interested, so this is not prima facie a bad thing. But if we as voters are self-interested, we ought to give this government the boot. A party that is too stupid to see that it is best served by serving the nation is too stupid to be running our country. The surest way for BN to stay in power is to keep people happy, come what may. That it refuses to do this indicates that its interests do not align with our own, and thus we are better off voting it out.
A government that threatens its own people is a pathetic government — surely undeserving of our support, you might say. But in spite of this, many of us will continue to find excuses to keep BN in power.
Thankfully, Najib has indirectly given us a simple formula to decide once and for all how to vote. Do you consider yourself a BN-supporter first, or a Malaysian first? If you owe your allegiance to BN, then vote for BN. But if you owe your allegiance to your country, then for the country's sake, for your sake, don't check that box next to the dacing.
If we truly are a democracy, why do we vote for a government that promises to be nice to us only if we support it? Isn't the government's obligation to govern prudently and act for the country's best interest, regardless of public support? In the first place, if a government is doing badly in the polls, shouldn't it be trying to win support by improving its policies, as opposed to cracking the whip?
BN is not a party for all Malaysians; it is not a party for Malaysia. It is a party for cronies alone. Its sole interest is to perpetuate itself, the country be damned.
Now, from an economist's point of view, everyone is self-interested, so this is not prima facie a bad thing. But if we as voters are self-interested, we ought to give this government the boot. A party that is too stupid to see that it is best served by serving the nation is too stupid to be running our country. The surest way for BN to stay in power is to keep people happy, come what may. That it refuses to do this indicates that its interests do not align with our own, and thus we are better off voting it out.
A government that threatens its own people is a pathetic government — surely undeserving of our support, you might say. But in spite of this, many of us will continue to find excuses to keep BN in power.
Thankfully, Najib has indirectly given us a simple formula to decide once and for all how to vote. Do you consider yourself a BN-supporter first, or a Malaysian first? If you owe your allegiance to BN, then vote for BN. But if you owe your allegiance to your country, then for the country's sake, for your sake, don't check that box next to the dacing.
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