The EPRDF cannot abide by the constitution. It is not in their best interest. They also cannot allow truly free and fair elections in Ethiopia. The reason: "They don't want to end up on the ash heap of history." Remember what happened to the Democratic Party in the Nov 1994 congressional elections? In one night the Democrats lost control of congress by huge margins. A branch of government that they had controlled for over 70 years. 70 years! They also lost a majority of the governerships in the country. It was by far the biggest political shock that I have ever experienced. In my humble opinion I think Meles and all Ethiopians would have experienced the same shock last May had we had election observers monitoring every or nearly every polling station in the country. This would involve not only monitoring the voting process but more importantly the vote counting process. Absolute transparency in the voting process. I know this would have been a herculean task but a very necessary one since, historically, in Ethiopia we have not had a single leader who has left office voluntarily. Meles is just continuing the tradition.
In my opinion we have what looks like a democracy from the outside looking in but when you take a closer look inside you can see that what's being done by the regime is just a shell game designed to satisfy the west. Numerous things have been mentioned in this email string to back this up. A constitution, free press, demonstrations and elections will be allowed as long as they don't threaten the power of the regime. An invisible line has been put down which you can cross at your own peril. CUD dared crossed that line and their leaders are now lounging on death row or soon will be after they are convicted by some kangaroo court.
But all this aside I truly believe that the solution to our problem is what I suggested above in re to the voting process. It has to be free, fair and fully transparent. It is in the best interests of supporters of all sides to focus there energies in making this come about. The Ethiopian people need to feel that their politicians were elected legally. Then the debate can shift to economics, education etc and the development of our country. We have to know who truly won otherwise nothing else matters. You cannot have economic development in a destabilized environment created by the anger of the disenfranchised masses. No progress.
In 2000 I was angry at the US supreme court for allowing Bush to steal an election. In 2004 I was angry at the American people for voting for such an idiot but I accepted\r\n the results. The former was much worse because my anger never dissipated since I felt like I was robbed. I think a lot of Ethiopians are feeling the same way now. I\'d rather have EPRDF win fair and square and me feel angry at the Ethiopian people for voting for them. At least then they would deserve whatever pain was being inflicted on them, but al least they would have the option of making a change in the next election. I feel frustrated now because not only do I feel in my gut that EPRDF stole the last election but I feel like they are going to keep stealing elections for some time to come unless something is done about it. I fear Meles is going to still be in power while he is collecting his social security check.
----Si---
In my opinion we have what looks like a democracy from the outside looking in but when you take a closer look inside you can see that what's being done by the regime is just a shell game designed to satisfy the west. Numerous things have been mentioned in this email string to back this up. A constitution, free press, demonstrations and elections will be allowed as long as they don't threaten the power of the regime. An invisible line has been put down which you can cross at your own peril. CUD dared crossed that line and their leaders are now lounging on death row or soon will be after they are convicted by some kangaroo court.
But all this aside I truly believe that the solution to our problem is what I suggested above in re to the voting process. It has to be free, fair and fully transparent. It is in the best interests of supporters of all sides to focus there energies in making this come about. The Ethiopian people need to feel that their politicians were elected legally. Then the debate can shift to economics, education etc and the development of our country. We have to know who truly won otherwise nothing else matters. You cannot have economic development in a destabilized environment created by the anger of the disenfranchised masses. No progress.
In 2000 I was angry at the US supreme court for allowing Bush to steal an election. In 2004 I was angry at the American people for voting for such an idiot but I accepted\r\n the results. The former was much worse because my anger never dissipated since I felt like I was robbed. I think a lot of Ethiopians are feeling the same way now. I\'d rather have EPRDF win fair and square and me feel angry at the Ethiopian people for voting for them. At least then they would deserve whatever pain was being inflicted on them, but al least they would have the option of making a change in the next election. I feel frustrated now because not only do I feel in my gut that EPRDF stole the last election but I feel like they are going to keep stealing elections for some time to come unless something is done about it. I fear Meles is going to still be in power while he is collecting his social security check.
----Si---
posted by Mechachal yichalal at 1:12 PM
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