Maravi

Voting and transformation

Voting and transformation
Written by Gabriel Banda
Friday, October 31, 2008 3:42:55 PM

BE it in the United States of America or Zambia, major natural and human organised events transform societies. Transformation may lead towards general growth, stagnation, or even decline.

Elections are landmarks that transform society and its individuals. They affect the dominant character and mood of a society. It is opportunity to assess where a society is at and what needs to be done to strengthen or improve things. It is chance to observe ourselves, as individuals, and how we relate to others and the whole society.

During elections, various characteristics of society and its rulers and leaders are noted. And, yes, values, character, and manners of leaders and rulers of organisations and societies have influence on behaviour of some of their members. They become an acceptable standard for many even as they may repulse and drive away others.

Elections can be time for moving strongly towards the common good. Clearly, the United States is undergoing great transformation that will affect its people and those beyond. The November 4, 2008 polls involving Democratic candidate Barack Obama and Republican John McCain will shake USA and the whole world.

Even the current mood there and elsewhere is a sign that there is great transformation. It will for long affect the direction of USA and the world. For the times “they are achanging,” Bob Dylan might sing.

As he leaves the USA presidency, many in the world have considered George W Bush, through his military invasions and occupations, a war lord. One hopes he has been on the way to understanding the lesson that vengeance begets vengeance and violence often yields violence. His actions have worsened the situation of the USA and the world. From these, people in USA and the world must move and transform.

USA and its people are not separate from other parts of the world. One notes the “Superpower” myth. I believe no country or people may be a superpower, for all countries and peoples are linked. Even though they have variation of geography and experiences and cultures, they are interdependent, nourishing each other. This connection, within us, we all have.

In early 2003, in Boston, Massachusetts, in the USA, I witnessed a hopeful sign. Young persons, including secondary school girls and boys were walking in procession, publicly protesting against George W Bush's March 2003 invasion of Iraq. It was a moving experience to note so young persons in touch with the truth of our common humanity. The signs were acoming!

They were against bullies and bullying. Five years on, some of these young are voters.

It is time to be integral parts of the world. Yes, 2008 is USA's year of great transformation. Away from big business, negative influence and control on policies and economies. Already, in the USA economy, around 40 million persons are in poverty. Over 40 million do not have secure access to health services.

The current financial crisis shows the USA economy is also in great transformation. The US financial system and economy have been based on unstable and defective foundations. So many aspects of the USA and the world are in great transformation.

As noted in this column Friday September 19, 2008, some have wondered how candidate John McCain, fairly respected by a wide range of persons, would fare in a dirty campaign. McCain, a prisoner of war during the Vietnam conflict, has used, sometimes without relevance to the issue at hand, the war hero shield for protection and advancement. General Wesley Clark has raised questions about John McCain and actual combat.

To influence minds and voting, the Republicans are known for dirty campaigns. They have used various ways, like accusing and framing opponents, character assassinations, untruths, and negative propaganda. Sadly, the schemers behave as if there is nothing wrong in slander and that it is just part of the game of politics.

Would John McCain be tempted to take advantage of rough campaigns against Barack Obama, who has amassed large support and seems to be on the way to victory? Would McCain lower himself?

As Barack Obama gained support, so too was McCain's team becoming rougher. But the lessons show that slandering Barack Obama has achieved no great advantage for Republicans. In fact, there has been reversed effect when people are appalled by dirty games and begin to lose respect for those spinning the schemes. They draw lines when negative things are extreme.

There is some thing in most humans, all over the world, that seeks to assert decency and justice for all. Negative schemes, like double edged swords, do boomerang. A weapon you use against others can be turned against you. It is said that those who live by the sword may perish by the sword. And those who dig graves to trap others may fall into them.

But at a landmark time like elections, people can choose to grow towards dignity, truth, goodwill, and peace for all. Truth always triumphs. And, I believe, truth has within it some self protecting mechanism just as false schemes harbour self destructive mechanisms. So it is always good to seek justice and peace for all and one self, in all situations, and at all times.

There are human made rules and games in elections and campaigns. Barrack Obama's team have been very sharp. They have parried Republican attacks. They have mobilised the public and even made the campaign be supported from the pockets and hearts of members of the public, thus mobilising a big swing for transformation.

Yet a deep lesson of the Barack Obama ascend is that there is something else beyond the human political rules, systems, and games. There seems the presence of a transformation force that is far deeper and stronger than party politics. There is a transformation moving things away from roughness and towards dignity and deeper relations within self and with others. It is difficult to block Barack Obama and what is driving him.

On other issues, in this relay of life, when we move with the torch of life, we feel appreciation for those who have contributed to our lives. Recently, late September, 2008, in Lusaka's Libala community, Mrs Mtengo, who in her later years had diabetes, passed away. We grew up in times when your friend's parent or brother and sister you also considered yours. So we consider Mama Mtengo our mother. We remember her contribution to the community and her family members, and they to us.

And we also remember our big man, Mr Nedson Nyoni, who passed away on Sunday October 5, 2008, in Lusaka. A permanent secretary in many ministries, we are reminded that the work of one affects others in other places and times. For, truly, many things Mr Nedson Nyoni worked on benefitted many and some are still being used today.

And, as Reverend Reuben Daka, who travelled from Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation to give the sermon at Kabwata Presbyterian church, Lusaka said, Nedson Nyoni had great humility. Greatly skilled and experienced, he would stay in the background while supporting and raising another person to become strong and effective. These lessons of Mama Mtengo and Nedson Nyoni, and our brothers and sisters in this journey of life, those who remain must carry on.

Labels: ELECTIONS

posted by MrK @ 3:44 PM