Dear Editor,
I wish to venture into the real prospect of an illegitimate government and to offer some speculation about life thereunder. I think if James Patterson had remained the commissioner, this would have been a done deal, in spite of the same intensity of protests and objections. And there is no reason for thinking the current commissioner will not do the same, though for reasons different from James Patterson’s. She has been praised for her fit and proper legal exposure, but based on how GECOM is made up something much more is required. I fail to see her talking straight up with her chief lieutenants, who are obviously planted men with extra-curricular power. We needed the fearlessness and honour of previous chairs if the boat is to sail with transparency and in good faith.
I said it elsewhere that the 2020 mother of all elections is a matter of life and death for a lot of the stakeholders. I do not discount the possibility of a threat to life and limb to anyone who would rock the boat from its predetermined destination. The stakes are too high. One therefore should not take such a commission if one does not understand one is putting one’s life on a limb if one does one’s job properly.
The reason for quickly moving to the illegitimate status is that the elections and its results would hopefully become a moot point (I deliberately jest here), changing the subject to dealing with a rogue state and the possibility of sanctions. I believe Mr. Joe Harmon sees this point more clearly than others. Mr. Granger, not a consummate politician, with a bent for history, pauses and hesitates, as he would be the face of the rogue regime.
All who are clamouring for justice, order, transparency, fairness, democracy, etc. are citing these principles in the name of the people, the nation and the whole country. It must not be forgotten that forty-something percent of the populace appear to support the rigging. It is in their name and on their behalf it is being done. That sizable component of the inhabitants will still be rooting for the newly installed government, legit or not.
Besides, the law enforcement agencies, the military forces, the entire state apparatus, as is traditional, will be backing this shade of government. Remember the boast of one of its presidents: we can make the country ungovernable. And that was so while in the opposition. How much more could it do while holding the reins of power and coercion!
With this supportive foundation the pariah government can still function, albeit, inefficiently. Remember, once a government is in office, rogue or not, it is still the government, and there is no other. We have to deal with it, work with it, negotiate with it, swear before it and for all tenets and purpose live under its rule, and be loyal too. At the end of the day, there is no alternative. Sanctions will hit hard on the ordinary folks, but the members of that government will still have enough perks and privilege to enjoy. And they can still boast, “we own the oil.” I suppose for them Lucifer was right: “better to reign in hell than serve in heaven.”
Yours faithfully,
P. D. Sharma
Los Angeles, California
