Africa-Press – Mauritius. Everyone agrees that there is an overload of posts on social media, most of which are not really worth wasting one’s time on. But once in a way there come along some which can be eye-openers on current matters and can convey valuable lessons and messages if one keeps an open mind.
One that I have seen on WhatsApp is an insightful comment on the state elections in Karnataka, India. The results were declared on Saturday last: the incumbent BJP lost to the Congress Party, following a pattern whereby in Karnataka no incumbent has ever been elected a second time. In the wake of this outcome, the following comment (amended for brevity) was made:
‘Harsh reality of Karnataka elections. Fancy new rural airport, BJP lost. Brand new medical colleges in three cities, BJP lost all three seats. Planned new airport, BJP lost. Superb look upgraded two railway stations, BJP lost both.
‘Moral of the story: development will not win elections; only freebies, religion, caste, tribal loyalty, gifts will win.’
Does this ring a bell and make us recall our own elections?
To my mind, though, there’s an even better story that was posted. In short, it’s about how to catch wild pigs narrated by a student to his teacher. Free corn is placed in a corner of the woods daily, which the pigs rush to eat. Then one side of the area is fenced, and the pigs carry on until all four sides are fenced with a door on one side. The door is slammed shut and the pigs can now no longer get out.
Suddenly they have lost their freedom, they run round and round but are caught and soon go back to eating the free corn. They are so used to it that they have forgotten how to forage in the woods and accept their captivity.
The student continues: That is exactly what happens in many countries. The governments keep spreading free corn out in the form of freebies and such programmes, while we continually lose our freedoms a little at a time. And the freebies come at enormous cost to the taxpayer, with no clear indication where will the revenue come from.
Truth: If you think the free ride is essential to your way of life, then God help you when the gate slams shut!
He ends with: Most of the problems we face today are there because the people who work for a living are now outnumbered by those who vote for a living!
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