Do not complain

Throughout the world, in highly developed democracies, and in particular in France, the people live in a similar paradoxical situation: fewer and fewer people are concerned with politics and are voting while they increasingly complain about their fate and criticize politicians for not looking after them.

This attitude of « résigné-réclamant » (resigned-claimant) that is so widespread and so absurd, is gaining ground everywhere. Yet it must be stated quite clearly that the less we are concerned with politics, the less politicians are encouraged to look after the interests of those who do not make the effort to vote or look after themselves. Therefore, I would say to the privileged inhabitants of those democracies where anyone can take his fate into his own hands and influence the collective destiny:

« Do not complain! »

1. If you do not look after yourself, do not complain if you are not living the life that you always dreamed of. No one can contribute in the process of you becoming yourself unless you make the effort to follow the path that can take you there, and follow the simple rules of « becoming yourself. »

2. If you do not care for other people, starting with your own children, your parents, your neighbors, and also more widely all those whose fate concerns you or affect your own, directly or indirectly, do not complain if when the time comes, they turn their backs on you and show you their disdain by not being there when you need them. Do not complain if you do not feel the exquisite delight of serving others, and, in turn — yet also ecstatic experience — the gratitude for those who have helped you become yourself.

3. If you do not vote, do not complain about the choices made by elected officials. In particular, do not say that all political parties are the same and that everything has already been tried, and voting is useless. If you do not vote, you are actually giving ‘a double ballot paper’ to those who do vote, thus giving them your vote and they will choose for you the essential elements of you « becoming yourself »: security, education, health… Do not complain about the dilapidation of schools, the waste of public money, the threats to our health care system, the substantial shortfall in the resources allocated to the police and the army.

4. Finally, and most importantly, if you yourself do not do politics, if you are not a member of any party, if you have never been a candidate for nomination, do not complain about the quality of political leaders. Do not say that elected officials are mediocre, self-serving, and corrupt, do not say there are too many public servants among them. Do not say they lack courage and only care about their reelection, or only think about providing access to all positions to those closest to them. Do not say they are wasting public money. First, because, for most of these elected officials, these criticisms are unfair. Secondly, because, if these criticisms are legitimate for some politicians, it is your fault: you do not try you yourself to do politics, join a party, be a candidate, monitor those who are elected, and do so honestly, in order to serve the general interest, particularly that of future generations.

Do not complain about the world: it is what you make of it. And especially what you do not make of it. And not doing anything at all is the absolute worst way to operate. Suicidal.

In particular, do not complain about the directions the regions will take, with presidencies that you will let others choose, for six years. By not voting this Sunday you will have voted, in fact, for the worse.

j@attali.com