dynastic democracy, the Bhutto lesson

The notion of a dynastic democracy does not sit well with Delphia. If the baton of government passes from one member of a family to another in a so-called democratic election, then what we have is a de facto monarchy or a dynastic dictatorship and we may as well give up all hope that a contract exists between us and the government, accept our slave status and prepare for perennial warfare.

"As disgusting as it was," says Delphia, "the assassination of Benazir Bhutto -- and the unfortunate death of many more Pakistanis -- was a backlash by those who do not want her family back in power in Pakistan ever again. I think we'd feel the same if George W Bush or another Bush family member resurrected themselves down the line."

"She had already seen two terms in office, following in her father's political footsteps, and both times was ousted on corruption charges -- and had caused 134 people (or more) to die in the first assassination attempt on her a short while ago," says Delphia, "so by what right did she feel she deserved a third term? Divine right? Dynastic destiny?"

"How many innocent bystanders was she prepared to accept being killed around before she realized that her grab for power was totally and implacably opposed?" says Delphia. "It had nothing to do with restoring democracy to Pakistan (Pervez Musharraf had declared martial law for a good reason, there's a war on, stupid!) -- it was purely and simply a naked grab for power supported by the insane Bush regime."

"In a country with a nuclear arsenal in the very middle of the terrorist war, Musharraf should have snooted his nose at the insane Bush regime and gently deported Ms Bhutto after the first attempt on her life -- or refused on security reasons to let her return to Pakistan in the first place," claims Delphia. "A good leader protects the lives of his/her citizens and doesn't allow situations to develop causing more loss of life. That's the contract, isn't it?"

"Sure, Ms Bhutto was very popular with a certain element in Pakistan -- the sort of element that makes gods of movie stars and Big Brother contestants -- but is being a pretty lady from a political family unashamedly pandering to the adulation of lesser mortals the right stuff for a leader, especially when that country is at war, festering with Islamic militants and has Osama hiding in the hills?"

"That she would have won the popular election is probably a given," says Delphia, "but surely this was not the right time to hold an election and surely there were far more deserving candidates. In a land such as Pakistan, bursting with educated, articulate and democratically fervent people, why didn't a real leader emerge from the masses to take charge and tell her to stay out of Pakistani politics?"

"What is more telling about Ms Bhutto's motives is an email she asked to be released, should something happen to her, blaming Musharraf for her demise," sighs Delphia. "Even from the grave she intended to foment more trouble for Pakistan and I cannot believe that her husband and sons are considering stepping into her poltical shoes. Don't they get it?"

"There are those who claim that true democracy died in Pakistan the day Benazir was killed," says Delphia, "but did it die in other democratic nations when a president or candidate was assassinated?"

"Of course not, life goes on," says Delphia, "and perhaps from Benazir's unfortunate death a real leader will have the opportunity to win the hearts of the people and put the Bhutto dynasty firmly back into history where it belongs."

"Dynasties are fine in family businesses and property deals," says Delphia, "but there is no place for them in democratic governments. There is no guarantee that a son, daughter or relative has inherited the 'right stuff' of a former glorious leader, and in fact more dynasties die out in corruption and ignomy than thrive."

"I know from my own family that the fortune my grandfather amassed was squandered by the next generation -- leaving my generation in poverty," says Delphia. "Why should a whole nation go south when spoilt brats full of entitlement crap about divine right and dynastic destiny get given a baton someone else in their family earned?"

"Our founding fathers were smart to limit office to two terms, but not smart enough to limit it exclusively to new blood," adds Delphia. "At the beginning of our great nation all citizens were given the right to seek office -- anyone with ability and the 'right stuff' can be president -- but how much is that true today?"

"The only thing George W Bush inherited from his father is a name and a lot of money -- he has none of his father's stuff," says Delphia. "And, sadly, Hillary Clinton is banking on her husband's name and wealth to get her into power, too."

"I say 'sadly' because she might have made it on her own, without any connection to the Bush and Clinton families, and for this she would have gained my vote."

"If my fellow citizens don't want to be slaves, oppressing other slaves in other lands, killing and being killed in endless senseless wars, then vote for new blood -- whatever party, it doesn't matter -- just as long as the candidate is not related or connected to the old political dynastic families in any shape or form."