Besides the ongoing socio-economic political debate, no doubt, there are other important things in life. But many are marginalised. Without in anyway belittling the importance of the political debate it is equally important that our community is allowed, perhaps encouraged to searching other avenues. The political debate, as expected, is widely covered in the local media. Other issues are treated less favourable. It is true some issues are not as electrifying as politics and do not capture the imagination of our society which is besieged with partisan politics.
Fine.
But nonetheless there are other relevant issues which contribute to the well-being of our small community. Politics or more accurately put political scandals, blunders and slips sell more. But our society needs to prioritise. This brings me to the subject I want to share with you.
Workplace, traffic and other tragic accidents eclipse the political debate and scandals for a short while. Here I will briefly delve into road safety, pedestrians, drivers, and zebra crossings.
Drivers and pedestrians have equal responsibilities and can contribute substantially to avoid road accidents. Hopefully, the competent authorities will at some stage find the necessary financial resources and make plans to engage with the general public into road safety campaigns.
Drivers and pedestrians including cyclists are well aware that not all of our roads network are safe and built to take the heavy traffic congestion which over the years has grown exponentially. So yes road users must be cautious at all times. The inefficient public transport has not reached the expectations of the commuters. Thus, more cars are on the roads notwithstanding the waste of time incurred in traffic congestions and the lack of parking facilities.
But the point which I want to raise in this maze is one which springs from negligent, reckless drivers, cyclists, cabs, and pedestrians who lack respect towards other road users. Here, I touch upon some pedestrians using zebra crossings when crossing roads. Pedestrians should be reminded of basic civic practices taught at primary schools when using a zebra crossing.
Nowadays, everybody looks busy, but crossing diagonally on zebra crossing to save a couple of seconds can be the cause of a serious road accident. This becomes even more startling when pedestrians push their toddlers in push-chairs onto zebra crossing without bothering to look on either side of the road.
Having made my point on road safety I am returning to the current political, economic and social environment. The recent gaffes have once again demonstrated that these islands are led by a group of politicians counselled by blinkered amateurs.
Notwithstanding, this deadly cocktail, I believe that the current administration is still in time to put firmly the breaks-on. The situation may be rescued if professionals are engaged to do the dirty work while political office holders stay put for a while.
It is no big secret most politicians fail in the humbleness test and avoid counsel and advice from professionals and other well experienced persons. Many times politicians surround themselves with “party ladies and gentlemen” interested more in protecting their bounty financial package than anything else.
Although the truth at times may be painful it is necessary for politicians to take some time-off from their hectic daily routine they lead and try to understand better society’s mood. Unless politicians are well aware of society’s concerns they cannot address people’s trepidations. The results would be unavoidable disastrous. This has happened in the past and it is bound to happen again.
It is political suicide not to give credit to political adversaries when it is abundantly clear that they have better understanding of society. Shooting from the hip at everything that move should stop immediately. The amount of time and energy, cosmetic ointment, political rhetoric and lip service used to skirt a political blunder is all waste of time. Whatever the issue if it was deemed inappropriate before it is erroneous today. And it will be iniquitous tomorrow if this political behaviour persists.
Yes, one can easily look at some politicians as professional thespians.
Whichever way you may look it at before crossing the road or crossing from one political party to another make sure that the road is clear for your safety.
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