My First Vote - My Take On The Elections

^{(Cartoon courtesy of Tornoe)}

"Democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner"

- Benjamin Franklin

The first thing that comes to mind when anybody mentions the word 'voting,' are the candidates who stand for election. Whew! the poor chaps have to smile 24/7, posing for photos with every Tom, Dick and Harry (after the election, they are never available, but that's another matter), a feat that should put all the brides and bridegrooms who complain about smiling continuously for a week, to shame. They travel for campaigning promising things that they scarcely know about, defending themselves (and their well-tailored images) from the sharp eyes and tongues of the other candidates, covering up their past and doing things in general that they would usually find hard to do. Then of course, it's the voters' dilemma choosing either between the various candidates and their 'offers' or choosing the least corrupt candidate (as far as they can see). Personally, it is a nerve-racking experience putting up with the grinning face of the candidates around every corner either on a poster, a flex, or the candidates themselves.

When I stood outside the voting booth, a sense of responsibility, pride and importance passed through me, which fizzled out in a matter of seconds as there was no queue, and the process was as smooth and quick as an ideal robbery ("just in and out"), leaving me wondering why I made such a fanfare out of it to my family (not that I'm complaining of course, it was a great change of pace from the usual government offices and their queues). In fact, the counter I voted at, had such less footfall that the permanent ink had dried up on the brush, leaving a not-so permanent mark on my finger.

^{(Cartoon courtesy of Cristian Topan)}

"With great power comes great responsibility" - Voltaire (no, not spiderman)

Or so I would like to say, but you and I know the hard truth, that elections are merely a money making business for most candidates. After they are elected, it is a mad rush for them to make the most moolah, lest they aren't elected again. A popular nursery rhyme can be modified to depict this.

Baa Baa Mr.Politician, have you any shame?
No sir, no sir, I'm only out to make some money.
Some for myself and some for my dame;
Some for my little one and all through you.

^{(Cartoon courtesy of G P Sastry)}

Before the elections, the candidates learn a new feeling - 'sympathy,' they go around to the houses of the common-men, eat with them, listen to their grievances, but do a total 180 after they are elected, when they can't waste time listening to these 'petty' issues (if they were doing useful work for the people in the meantime it would be great, but sadly, is never the case). It's funny how it seems that the candidates can't be busier than when they are campaigning.

To all those who didn't get elected, here's something to think about, "It is hard to convince a monkey that honey is sweeter than a banana."

(These are my personal views with no offense intended to any individual or party, please take it with a grain of salt)