Political Responsibility

For a while, I thought that We in Kuwait suffer from political apathy. I thought we didn't care. That everyone wanted to go about their business, as long as their immediate needs are met.

Why not, I presumed. So what, I thought. At the end, all we need is that: A space and time to live comfortably, and hopefully happily.

However, now, I'm more inclined to think that we are less than that absent-minded stereotype. I now think we are actually consumed with politics,but another sort of politics.

The sort of politics that is closer to our culture: We like to talk about people.

We talk about individuals. We talk about them and what they said. We pin our hopes on them, and we follow them almost without question. We risk it all, for the person. Even when dashed, we rise up to live another day to curse another. We idealise, and then forget. Or worse get disappointed, and even hate. Even worse, we listen to the ones who romance a wonderfully blissful false state of being, and think we can become better by emulating a narrated idealised dream.

I wonder if that trait in us is being manipulated. I wonder if how we interact is being sinisterly manufactured.

I doubt it. I don’t subscribe to these grandiose master-planned big-brained with a stroked-cat stereotyped visions.

Although, I believe some people depend on this deficiency in us, and expect it in us. Look back. Read our history. Listen closely to what we say about each other.

So, until the day we wake up, and understand that this blah-noisy words we discuss are fodder for the comfortably-satisfied and the hungry-opportunist, we will never get to fix anything.

No wonder some of us are devoted to religion.

Until we wake up, grow, and mature - this bit piece of a democracy will never be.

Let's talk constructively. Let's talk about issues. Let's propose solutions. Let's debate positions. Let us understand where we stand in this mist of self-imposed confusion. Clarity, direction, a target to aspire to. We need that. We need that sort of idealism.

Nothing more, and definitely nothing less!

So, out of responsibility, and in the spirit of 36, I list:

• Debate the publication law. We all know that it was a compromise. It was about liberating the right to publish, yet it was cursed with limitations. Well, then let's propose alternatives. So, instead of saying "oh, I hate it!" I, for my self, I think this topic is too fresh, and I still don't know if there are real practical consequences to this law. However, we got to watch out for any consequences. And when and if we cross a threshold, then the legitimacy of this law needs to be reviewed in the court. The issue right now, is that we have censorship within departments of ministries, and that says a lot more than the law itself!
• Plans. I'd like real plans for what the government is proposing to do for the next stage of development. I read that that is being developed, so let’s hope the government will live up to it, and that our MPs will scrutinise the plans and analyse and validate them. Also, I'd like the "تكتلات" to come up with plans. Public. Meet as you like, but tell us what you want for this country in the years to come
• I’d like to see our laws enforced on ALL, and when they don't then I'd like to have a free venue for it to be exposed. To understand if there was a need to bend a law, and if so, then it's an opportunity to fix the law. A real venue, not any court, but the court of law
• I'd like to privatise more of the government services. Wherever and however. I believe that the more we include in a healthy competition, the better we are. Plus, the better we are equipped as a skilled work force for the future
• Challenge the laws that restrict public expressions. Like festivities and mixing. How did it come to that?! Wake up! This topic has profound implications – it has consequences on morale before morality. Within it there is a real debate about "عادات وتقاليد" which has been abused too frequently to shame us into submission to the ill-informed. Let's understand that tradition is to respect and honour, but also it's to build upon as basis of true development, not to be captive of!
• Much more…

I'll stop. That sounded like a manifesto! :) All I wanted to say, is that, before we start to talk about a person: for praise or hate. And before we complain about how things are. Let's understand what we want. We got hijacked by a principled+opportunist gang – cause they knew clearly what they wanted.

We have no right to complain, unless we come up with brave solutions and publicly propose, and stand by them. Why are we on the defence? Why are we in a corner?! What is democracy for, when we are silent!

I wonder