Democracy Has Left The Building
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Once upon a time, many countries decided to light up a new flame of their own and keep it burning bright. Every person in the country gave a bit of his light and soon, there was a huge flame that burned bright for its people. A flame that stood for energy, a flame that promised equality for all, freedom for all, security for all who lived in its light. The flame was called Democracy and it was well named because it was of the people, by the people, for the people.
The change happened very slowly and it happened in all the countries that had the flame of Democracy alight. The people who kept giving to keep the flame alight didn’t notice what was happening and as long as they felt the flame they had lit was burning, they felt secure and went about their daily business as usual.
Slowly, the shadow figures moved in, casting their long shadows of greed and hunger for power on the light that burned. The flame that had been lit by the people was slowly being controlled by a few who definitely did not have the people’s interests at heart. One day, all that was left of the flame were a few glowing embers and when it left the building, no one noticed and no one cared.
The armies grew and there were wars. For our safety, they said. To teach others about our wonderful flame, they proclaimed. And to make those wars possible, the people who had lit the flame were taxed. For your own good, they said. To keep the flame alive. All this is because we, the people want a better life for the world.
The powerful grew more powerful and richer. The poor grew poorer. The dreams that people started off with grew dim and died. There was no time for dreaming when every minute went towards existing.
Oh, my people, said the flame that was dying. Look up, listen, stand up and fight for your rights. Fight to fan the flame and make it burn bright once more. As long as there was a spark, there was hope. Maybe the few who questioned a bit too loudly were silenced but hope that its people would wake up was the only thing that kept the flame going.
Once in a while, people looked at the building and wondered if this indeed was why they had lit the flame. They didn’t realise that Democracy had left the building a long time ago. No, Democracy don’t live here anymore. Would it ever live here again?
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Thank you for coming by and reading, Old Poolman!
What a brilliant piece of writing. We are on the edge of losing our democratic way of life. I pray we pull back and save our nation.
Very well observed and conveyed. The shadowy ones have long been in the ascendant. Inequality is long past breaking point, I believe.
Hi breakfastpop and Paraglider - it's always great to see both of you. I wrote this about India actually but the story is the same all over the world, isn't it? The question remains: will there ever be a world where all men are equal? There doesn't seem to be much hope, does there?
Great writing. Be proud. Keep on.
That is fantastic, absolutely fantasticly written. A great way of putting this situation. You are so right but will people care until it is too late. I think so.
Appreciate you coming by, Cristofers Flow!
Hi Hello, hello - thank you. Yes, I wonder too if it will be too late by the time people realise that they do have to do something about it!
It Seems Democracy Is Only Viable As Long As It Pays...For True Democracy One Must Ascend Past Labels And Search For Idealism Into Ink And Action.;)
Thanks for reading, MA - yes, maybe we need new labels!
so true Shalini, Democracy has indeed left the building.
When I was a student I used to believe that democracy is the best political system, a dream system for Indonesia. But when the long-awaited democracy finally came following the fall of Suharto the problem remain. We find difficulty to control parties, parliament and government officials. I write a hub on 'The problem of controlling power'
Hi K - so true!
Bbudoyono - thanks for reading - I guess power is the crux of the problem.
Hey Shal .. Nice piece!!!!
Somewhere down the line some felt they could just bask in the warmth of the flame and there was no need to help keep it lit. When the majority gives up its power the few greedy ones take over! Happening all over the world!
Wow. Wonderful point, wonderfully made. I have been away on a long holiday and I only now saw your hub. Glad to see that you are still active. ;-)
Your words are so in tune with the "occupy" movement going on in the US. Perhaps this movement is not only US-centric, but deeply embedded in the souls of any people who thought that democracy would bring a better world, a better life. For us, democracy has left the building...is that true in India, too, to Uma's point?
Liked and shared on Facebook.
Great job, Shalini. We are fed up here, and the people are speaking.
So beautifully and poetically said-- democracy has indeed left the building and we the people of the world are the only ones who can coax it back. Thanks for a wonderful and inspiring read
Hi Shal, Let us re-light that flame.
Great article. Cheers!
Beautifully convey and so sad. Corporate megopolies have taken over the world. As Sally said above, maybe this Occupy Wall Street protest will really take hold.
Uma - I so agree with you. I guess the majority is in some way to blame because a flame has to be stoked and kept burning. I'm hoping the anti-corruption movement in India can do it!
Thank you De Greek - great to see you back here!
ST - We had a similar movement in India and millions came out of their comfort zone to protest. Maybe this is a wake up call for we the people to be pro-active and force people who are our representatives to perform and protect our interests - or else. And yes, it is very true in India too though we're hoping the protests help to force a change.
Hi Christoph - yes, I can see and maybe it's time for people to do it all over the world.
Hi robie2 - how true - it's we and only we who can bring it back - and we can if we try!
quicksand - yesss!! now it's up to us - for too long maybe we've been inactive and negligent!
Hi Dolores - yes, street protest seems to be the only way now to get back what democracy stood for!
Thank you all for reading.
Moving, that is all I can say.
TMG
Appreciate you coming by and reading, TheMoneyGuy!
A great piece of writing Shalini, and a wonderful analogy of the way the world is going. Keep spreading the message, I think it is working :)
Hey Shalini,
Loved your inspiring hub...wishing it more reads so that awareness is spread and we can help light the fire of democracy.
Man has been shifting his priorities as a result the air we breathe in; is becoming threatened.
Gotta stay focused!
Outstanding. Beautifully written and thank you very much.
Imogen French - thank you - and yes, I guess we need to keep spreading the message!
Hi Ruchira - I do wish we could get it burning bright again!
Thank you for coming by and reading, carol3san!
Wonderful post my friend, keep it up.
Thank you for reading.
This is good, and it's true, and it's time to wake up and smell the coffee! Thanks Shalini!
Hey Candie - always nice to have you stop by! Thanks for reading and commenting - yes, I agree - it's time to wake up!
Great job on this writing which begs the question if Democracy is truly gone what will it take to bring it back?
Excellent post, Shalini. Well done!
I think the question is, who is responsible for dousing the flames? Perhaps this is a world-wide conspiracy because democracy seems to be under seige all over the world.
This could lead one to believe that there are united forces, working in unison, with a specific goal in mind. A group who meets behind closed doors and secretly plots the destruction of democracy world-wide, all-the-while remaining hidden from view.
The questions then become: Who are these people, why do they hate democracy and if they are successful, what do they intend to replace democracy with?
Highvoltagewriter - us? I guess we the people have to make a concerted effort to resurrect or rekindle it. But will we, is the question!
Thank you, Lone Ranger! I wonder if it is two-pronged - the dousing of the flame, I mean. One, by vested interests and two, by our own inertia and passive acceptance of the way things are. Maybe the vested interests are working in unison - not because they hate democracy but because they see that it can be moulded to suit selfish interests. If they have a powerful organisation that goes by its name, would they really want to change it? I believe the problem lies with us, the people. Like Esau, we've given up our birthright - and for what?
One person can make a difference and you started by so eloquently calling to light one of the great problems of the times. Voted up and interesting. :)
Shalini eloquently said, " I believe the problem lies with us, the people. Like Esau, we've given up our birthright - and for what?"
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So true! I can tell you that in the United States it seems that the average person is more interested in football games and watching their favorite television programing than they are watching what our government and special interest groups are doing to our country and to the world at large.
It is so hypocrital of our government to say that in the name of democracy we must invade Iraq and Afghanistan, yet at the same time strip Americans of their freedoms at home for the sake of national security and the "war on terror".
Shalini, I firmly believe there are two Americas: The people that live here and the government that runs them. I don't think I know who or what our government is anymore and I cannot say for sure that I would even salute the American flag (these days) because I don't think it stands for the values that most Americans hold dear.
Peace be with you - L.R.
cclitgirl - how true! Thanks so much for reading!
Lone Ranger - I guess it's pretty much the same all over the world. Watching from outside, it's sad to see the land of the free fighting for its own freedom at home. I'm sure though that the values you - and all of us hold dear - will come back on centrestage once more. And it's up to us to make it happen! Peace to you too.
It is unimaginable why people would "give away" democracy. I think, much of it has to do with poverty (sometimes), complacency and self-absorption.
People thinking "someone else" will take care of freedoms (ie democracy). Tragic, because, human nature seems to gravitate to taking advantage when given the opportunity.(read: greed)
For instance, it is flabbergasting that slavery still exists in this century. Believe it. That is truly tragic.
Complacency is to be avoided, that is certain. Great Hub!
Voted up and awesome!
Hi Scribenet - thanks for reading. That's an interesting thought - about human nature gravitating to take advantage when given the opportunity. It is a fact - and yet, we almost give up our right to be a part of good governance. We humans really are unbelievable, aren't we?
You are so right,Shalini...People need to be vigilant and exercise their right to vote wherever they have them. We all need to be part of good governance..that is what democracy is and should be protected everywhere!
Scribenet - yes, we all need to be a part of it. I just hope our wake-up call doesn't come too late for us! Thanks for coming by!
Old Poolman Level 7 Commenter 7 months ago
This is one heck of an outstanding hub. You put this loss of democracy into a format that all can understand. I am very impressed and will be following your writing, and passing this on to my friends.