Shepherd will tend
\nIndonesian flock<\/p>\n
I refer to the article by Benny Susetyo (The Jakarta Post,
\nMarch 11, under the heading This country needs visionary leader,
\nnot simply a ruler). The writer argued in the opening paragraph
\nthat he was focusing on the process of democracy and ignored
\ncompletely what is the objective or bottom line of the democratic
\nprocess: The empowerment of civil society and improvement of the
\nIndonesian people's socioeconomic welfare, as well as the
\nenhancement of fairness in achieving social justice.<\/p>\n
The democratic process is useless if, at the end of the day,
\nthere is no improvement in the Indonesian people's welfare and
\nsocial justice.<\/p>\n
As in the United States, \"corporate democracy\" has produced
\nscheming and \"scamming\" as well as monetary crime and scandals in
\nthe form of money politics and in corporate welfare. Dishonesty
\nand a corruption-prone government system are the outcome of
\n\"corporate democracy\".<\/p>\n
On the other hand, \"grassroots democracy\" has brought
\nIndonesia nowhere, as long as Indonesians consist of only two
\ntypes of people:
\n- Rulers\/people who enjoy power and always wish to rule.
\n- Indonesians who are ruled and governed for all of their lives.
\nMoreover, 80 percent of the Indonesian people have a limited
\neducation, i.e. only to primary or secondary level or, at most,
\nsenior high school.<\/p>\n
Hence the \"election machinery\" is in reality a monkey machine
\nthat produces a leader only of monkey-like qualities.
\n\"Grassroots democracy\" requires common sense and honest people,
\nnot easily manipulated by political party leaders who simply give
\nthem small financial handouts.<\/p>\n
What we need is a shepherd, someone who:
\n* always positions himself on a higher plateau, higher than his
\nfollowers or sheep, in order to be able to take a long
\nperspective;
\n* always guides followers with care, love and fairness.
\n
\nHARTOJO WIGNJOWIJOTO
\nJakarta<\/p>",
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