2009: the year of the optimism uprising

“Ultimately, though, we need something more than better answers. We need millions of people who are willing to teach the teachable, comfort the disheartened and confront the scoundrels. We need to take our politics public and take on the whole culture of cynical defeatism. On some days, I think we need an optimism uprising.” (Alex Steffen, Worldchanging: the Politics of Optimism)

An optimism uprising. That’s what I wish you for 2009. That you may have the courage, the spirit and the joy to do so. That you may find yourself rewarded and appreciated. That you may touch others and get touched yourself. And if in doubt, let me know. I’ll be here to let you know: yes, you can.

Kind regards,

Hannes

Enough. About politicians who don’t know their place.

This text is the English translation of a piece I wrote in response to the latest political news in my country. You can read more about that here, here,and here.

It’s dishonorable and disgraceful to see how members of the government, the presidents of their parties and the parties themselves try to claim and hold on to something that doesn’t belong to them.

It were the people of this country who gave them the mandate to take up a seat in parliament. It were the people of this country who – through the elected members of parliamant – gave the ministers the mandate to be a minister and act like one.

You, my dearest politicians, have abused the power that we have temporarily given you.

It doesn’t matter what you’ve personally accomplished so far, or whatever merit you or your party are supposed to have for our community. Whatever your position is, you’ve obtained it by virtue of the people who were willing to support you.

Do you realize what that means?

Genoeg. Over politici die hun plaats niet kennen. (in Dutch)

For an English version of this text: click here

Het is beschamend om te zien hoe de regeringsleden, hun partijvoorzitters en partijen vasthouden aan iets wat niet van hen is.

Het is de bevolking die hun partijleden het mandaat heeft gegeven om een parlementaire functie te bekleden. Het is de bevolking die via het parlement aan de ministers het mandaat heeft gegeven om minister te zijn.

U, beste politici, hebt die plaats, die machtspositie, van ons in bruikleen gekregen.

Welk persoonlijk parcours u ook hebt afgelegd, welke eigen verdienste u en uw partij ook heeft, wat u beheert, de positie die u bekleedt hebt u enkel gekregen bij gratie van de mensen die u steunen.

Weet u wel wat dit betekent?