Democracy is overrated

Some people I know joined the bersih rally today. They did it for various reasons – some just wanted to be a part of something, some wanted to know what it was like, some genuinely believed in the cause, some believed in freedom of expression and freedom of assembly.

Good for them. All of them believed in democracy. As do I. And yet, they will not hear the other side of the story – the story of those who believe in the same things as these people namely democracy, freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, citizens’ rights, etc, but who still oppose the rally. I don’t judge them for believing in what they do or for joining the rally. All of that is well and good. But when I put forward my arguments as to why protesting in the streets is not the solution to the problem, they just don’t listen! And it is driving me crazy! The very people who are willing to get arrested for the sake of democracy will not recognize my democratic right of speaking my point of view! How ironic is that?

While we are on this subject, there were various road blocks around petaling jaya today. It took me 30 minutes to travel from section 11 to my house in section 7 because there were diversions everywhere. What a waste of time. It honestly felt as if suddenly I was in a police state, and I had stayed out past curfew time, and now I couldn’t go home. When did this happen??

So for all those who support street protests in the name of freedom and democracy, did you ever stop to think about my rights and my freedom to travel freely on the streets of Malaysia? What makes you think your rights, your freedom, is greater than mine? But there is no use I tell you! There is absolutely no use talking to these so-called upholders of democracy because they, just like most people I know, are selfish creatures who only care about democracy when it suits their own ideologies, and the proof of that is that they refuse to engage in a rational debate about why this protest should not have taken place. And here I am thinking that the whole idea of democracy is allowing everyone to have a voice, no matter how much you disagreed with them.

I keep telling anyone who would care to listen, I find of late that I do not like human beings. This is one of the reasons why.

So excuse me while I go play with my girls now. Not being human beings, I know they will not annoy or irritate me. And besides, they are more rational than most people I know.