Hans-Hermann Hoppe has written a wonderful set of essays,
all captured in his book “Democracy - The god That Failed.” The Egyptians now get to experience the disappointment
associated with the faith placed in this false god.
From Der Spiegel:
Egypt's presidential runoff
election is pitting a former Mubarak associate against an Islamist. For many
Egyptians, neither man is worthy of their vote. The country could face new
unrest as a result.
In most if not all elections, the choices ultimately offered
to the people is of two candidates, each of whom is not worthy of the vote.
Brothers Antar and Amgad used to be
looking forward to taking part in a unique experiment. Proud Egypt, the most
populous Arab country, was to become a democracy after decades of authoritarian
rule.
Sadly, it is more likely that the Egyptians just ushered in
a different form of authoritarian rule.
But now the Farids -- two amiable,
slightly overweight gentlemen with moustaches -- are standing in their tiny
shop feeling frustrated. It is hot and dry, and the tired-looking ceiling fan
barely makes a difference, as flies buzz around the roasting machines. Like
millions of other Egyptians, they feel cheated by their revolution.
Was this revolution ever about ensuring that the freedom and
liberty of the people would be increased?
Likely not.
They were appalled to witness two
hardliners turn out to be the frontrunners in the first round of elections on
May 23 and 24: Ahmed Shafiq, 70, a former air-force general and member of the
former Mubarak regime; and Mohammed Mursi, a 60-year-old engineer and senior
official from the conservative core of the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood. The
Farids, like most people in their neighborhood, had voted for the left-wing
candidate Hamdeen Sabahi.
"We now have a choice between
someone who hates the revolution and someone who wants to introduce
Sharia," says Amgad. "God have mercy upon us."
Likely both candidates are satisfactory to the West: on the
one hand, a continuation of Mubarak, on the other hand a candidate likely to present
a good “enemy” for the West, to be used as justification for further
interventions. Unfortunately, at least
for these two brothers, neither candidate is a good choice. But elections are rarely about offering a
good choice to the people.
The two brothers will probably vote
for former military man Shafiq in this weekend's runoff election. He is the
lesser of two evils, says Antar, who has a small crucifix tattooed on his right
arm. The Farids are Copts, members of Egypt's largest Christian minority. The
Islamists' long-term plans are dangerous, says Amgad.
Voting for “…the lesser of two evils.” Don’t worry, Antar. Many Americans, after more than two-hundred
years of worshipping this false god, gladly vote based on this criterion. Perhaps your children or grand-children will
learn to embrace this, as many Americans have.
My guess is not – you do not seem to have any misplaced faith in your
politicians, therefor you likely will not pass along this mental defect to your
children.
Antar and Amgad are Coptic Christians. It is interesting to note: whatever evils the
various Middle Eastern rulers carried out, for the most part the minority
communities, to include the Christian minorities, were relatively safe. To the extent they were persecuted, it was
because of political activism against the regime and not because of their
faith. This was true in Iraq, where
today the Christian minority is decimated.
It is true in Iran. It is true in
Egypt, but these brothers fear it will not continue. If the West has its way, this disaster will
come to the Christians of Syria next.
The two brothers are beginning to fear democracy, as they
are in the minority. They are learning
that minorities always lose when it comes to the outcome of popular democratic
elections. As the saying goes, democracy
is two wolves and a sheep voting for what is for dinner.
They will also learn that eventually the majority also loses
when it comes to democracy. As another
saying goes, democracy is the false belief that you and your wife have more
political pull than someone named Rockefeller.
Wait a minute, you say.
How can the minority lose and the majority lose? Certainly someone must win at this game, else
why is it played. Yes, someone certainly
does.
This is really great stuff, Bionic. I wish I had your way with words. My mind sees these things, but I cannot put it into words like you do. Keep on, friend. Bluebird
ReplyDeleteYou are too kind. Thank you.
DeleteBionic, may we post these on facebook? I see it has a button, but wanted to ask of it was okay first. I doubt it will do any good so if you would rather not, that is okay. Bluebird
DeleteOK by me, as long as there is a link back to this site.
DeleteThanks