4 days ago
It's enough to keep you awake at night
What worries you? What concerns you? It's probably nothing that would appear on an academic list of global concerns, but will almost certainly be something that is personal and experiential, to you, rather than a 'global concern'.
That being the truth, why do politicians and the media keep churning out a diversity of issues that they say are our responsibility to remedy, while at the same time they exclude us from genuine inclusion as to the how and why. The reality, I believe, is that they want us concerned about so many issues because it keeps us off balance and subservient. Tell us it's all our fault and make us feel guilty often enough and even the strongest among us will begin to have doubts about the validity of our own opinions.
Politicians, I'm sorry to say, are not the best of us, but the worst, having an innate ability to accept responsibility but not blame, to take credit without effort and to hear their constituents while not listening. Khalil Gibran put it very succinctly when he asked: 'Are you a politician asking what your country can do for you or a zealous one asking what you can do for your country?'
Answering, 'If you are the first, then you are a parasite; if the second, then you are an oasis in the desert', saying what most of us think of our current crop.
Oman is itself an 'oasis', incredibly fortunate to have had the quality of leadership it has enjoyed for more than half a century, with strong and empathetic leadership, clearly requiring increased accountability, awareness and response-ability from the civil service. The key factor in the Omani leadership model is that they are not opportunists, but educated, trained and guided through their faith and their hierarchy, towards a life of service. Born to rule and to serve.
Currently, refugee rights and undocumented immigration are huge issues for America, Europe, but particularly in the UK; and from individual, community and societal perspectives, these are proving deeply divisive to much of the country feeling very much that the hand that feeds is being deeply bitten. While most can understand the need for people to escape poverty or conflict, the extent of the UK's support of illegal immigration to a society suffering under taxation increases, pension cuts and a health service in crisis, with no limits or accountability, is offending much of the electorate.
For example, on August 10, 435 arriving 'boat people' were initially processed then distributed around hotels across the UK, receiving free meals and accommodation, healthcare and dental, initial clothing packages, new mobile phones and the first of an initial three months of 49 GBP (RO 25) in weekly cash payments. Halfway through this year, that's 1.25 million GBP (RO 630,000)... every week, for pocket money alone. Talk about an invitation...
This situation exists for an initial three months under Section 95 of the Immigration and Asylum Act of Parliament (1999), ensuring that asylum seekers don't become destitute. Most are extended for longer periods until an asylum or residence application is approved, as the current backlog can be as long as three years and even denials are then subject to numerous appeals which a 'do-gooding' legal and humanitarian fraternity laps up, while they are feeding at the government legal aid trough.
Cynicism is rife as to how many prove to be genuine refugees or asylum seekers, as the government refuses to release statistics. Pointedly, too many of these 'boat people' are destroying their passports before they land, so criminal records or security concerns held for them become meaningless. This is just another horrible manipulation of a trusting and charitable nation, now being seen as nothing but a 'soft touch' and the butt of weak politicians, civil servants and lawyers, all of whom are ironically, paid by the state.
Contrast this with the legitimate migration to the UK, of an individual who may be academically qualified, skilled and contributing to their community and society from day one. They will be subjected to a process that is expensive, arduous and has strict financial, health and character requirements. It is the contrast that's enough to keep you awake at night.
