September marks the half-way line between two elections. People start thinking about this reality with some curiosity, earnestness or apprehension, depending on their profit-and-loss perception.
Candidates and imminent candidates have no illusion about the sand-clock and interested persons almost openly declare their intention to “give it a try”. Genuine friends of some of these tell them in their ears: “Forget it, go for a walk and practise your talents elsewhere.”
Persons wishing to become politicians usually, but not necessarily, understand that politics is for persons who love others much more than themselves. Thus, introverts, egoists, capitalists and lovers of small circles cannot be politicians, whether these circles be familial, commercial or religious.
People want to see, hear, experience the presence of politicians for they see them as organisers of their lives. They want to see them walk in their area, speak to them and take an interest in what’s happening in small and important matters. They want to see a genuine intention of action behind the electoral smile, which hardly impresses.
The individual and ideology
Basically, ideological divides have become less divisive. For what is the difference between genuine Social Democracy and Christian Democracy? They are both experimental democracies while Social Democracy is basically a Christian Democracy without the religious faldetta and the pious look. Christ promoted a kind of social politics and, thus, it is difficult for a Social Democrat not to be Christian at the same time. Probably, political differences between the two are mostly of an emotional nature, although both preach authentic altruism.
Interestingly enough, some people claiming to belong to either one or the other “ideology” tend to confuse voters attempting to determine what is good for society. We know that some pale Social Democrats are very conservative if not fundamentalist. Some are even pure capitalists wearing the romantic make-up of socialism to be “champions of the people”.
Even some Christian Democrats are not necessarily Christian and Democratic. Some believe that to be Christian, one simply has to parade solemnly in confessional jamborees. Others are convinced that Christian Democracy is an adoration of Vaticanist pontification. Here, too, one finds extreme capitalists trying to strike a compromise between Christ’s social teaching and their tightrope walking, avoiding Christ’s desire to whip them with a rope on the steps of their commercial priorities.
One is also surprised to learn about nastiness between individuals of the same party. Indeed, both Social and Christian democracy are capable of practising internal bitchiness.
Ingredients of a candidate
I would say that genuine communication is an inevitable ingredient of a candidate. I have seen candidates competent at smiling to the extent of biting both their ears at the same time. In utilitarian effectiveness they may be pathetically hopeless.
Some politicians are incapable of writing and they ignore queries from the people. They simply do not give a damn about what people wish to know. This is an attitude of “Vote for me and shut up as I know exactly what you think, how you feel and what you require”. No Sir/Madam, you don’t! First you listen to me and answer me, then I will give you some consideration.
In both major parties, I have come across politicians who simply don’t care about feedback you may require from them. There are others like Helena Dalli and Simon Busuttil, to mention just two genuine politicians among many, who go out of their way to communicate to you info you may require.
Ecology
Between months ago and the last gravity of the sand clock, we must continue to promote candidates who love the countryside and the health of the people related to it.
I am afraid I become suspicious at the word “development” and I cannot avoid thinking that politicians who thrust development into your garden are after your health – its destruction, that is.
Attitudes
Before the last general election, I had been asking for a meeting with a politician for no less than four years.
I had been mentioning this to various people and sent reminders, which, apparently, did not please the politician. Sort of “How dare you ask me for an appointment and actually send me reminders?!”
On the eve of the election, the appointment did arrive. Eves of elections create miracles. However, I realised that the attitude was much less than friendly. Everything I said was glaringly disagreed with. (I was tempted to agree with the person to see a disagreement with my agreement.) I was even entertained to a bombastic philosophical contrast between legal and natural logic. Thank you very much for the erroneous, patronising lecture. All this convinced me that I was a persona non grata and that the appointment had been promoted by someone else.
This is the way every politician should not behave.
Dr Licari is a researcher in multiculturalism.