 |
Liberty or Tyranny |
| Saweb Homepage |
|
Liberty or Tyranny |
Body of Message:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIBERTY OR TYRANNY
Many people were euphoric about the end of the 40-year apartheid dictatorship. Apartheid is no longer the issue. The major issue in SA politics is multi-party democracy vs. one party dictatorship. Those in favor of multi-party democracy are the entire political opposition. While those in favor of dictatorship are the ANC/SACP/COSATU alliance and their troubadours.
The ANC Alliance believes that is necessary to curtail freedom and democracy in order for 'transformation', reconstruction' ', economic development', 'stability' and 'social upliftment'. The ANC Alliance has shown that they are only interested in enriching themselves. It is time for people to open their eyes. Giving absolute power to the ANC will further enrich the few and further impoverish the many.
Giving away your freedom is like selling your soul to the devil. It will eventually destroy you. As for stability those South Africans opposed to the alliance will not give up their freedom without a fight. If their constitutional right to democratic opposition is removed, they will eventually resort to civil disobedience, economic sabotage and if pushed too far-violence. Just look at the Congo and Zimbabwe today. Reconstruction, economic development, social upliftment and stability can only occur under a multi-party democratic system
Continuing on this thread I believe the words of Camille Desmoulins written 200 years ago are extremely applicable. Desmoulins was a radical Jacobin during the French Revolution who initially supported the Red Terror of Robespierre but later turned against it. As a result Desmoulins was condemned to be executed by the bloodthirsty tyrant Robespierre. Desmoulins wrote: 'People think apparently that liberty, like infancy, must of necessity pass through a stage of waiting and tears before it reaches maturity...On the contrary, it is of the nature of liberty that in order to enjoy it one only has to desire it.' 'Would you have me recognize this liberty?' The author of this message replies: Then stop vilifying the opposition. Stop murdering and intimidating members of the opposition, free the press and free the electoral process from your manipulation.
This election will be the most important election in South Africa's history since 1948 when 40 years of the abominable system of Apartheid was put into place. This election will determine the direction of South Africa in the 21st century It will be more important than the 1994 election. More important than De Klerk's 1992 referendum on the negotiation process. More important than the last white election of 1989.This election will determine whether South Africa remains a multi-party democracy or becomes a one party dictatorship marked by repression, fear, resentment and eventually civil war. It is in effect more a referendum than an election.
The question being: Do you wish to give up all your rights to a ruling party with unlimited power? If the answer is yes vote ANC. If the answer is no vote any other party. A 2/3 majority for the ANC will be a yes vote for a dictatorship. If you vote ANC you may never vote again. If you vote another party your choices will remain open to vote ANC or another party in the next election. RETAIN THE VOTE .Too many people have fought and died for the vote for it to be taken away by anyone including the ANC who are the very people now threatening the future of the democratic vote. Vote against the ANC next year. As for those who wish to abstain remember a non-vote is a vote for the ANC. History has taught us that it is possible for the people to vote themselves into complete submission to a dictator. Hitler was voted into power in 1933 by a majority vote. Your vote is secret but not before God.
If I paint a picture of genocidal dictatorship, terror and war if the ANC should obtain absolute power it is because it is clear that that is what will occur should the ANC obtain absolute power.
Perhaps the last word should go to Scrooge, the central character in Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol'. Scrooge asks the Ghost of Christmas Future '...answer me one question. Are those the shadows of things that Will be, or are those the shadows of things that May be only'
He answers his own question:'Men's courses will foreshadow certain ends to which if persevered in they must lead...But if the courses be departed from the ends will change.'
Perhaps that is one of the greatest lessons South Africa and the whole world could learn.