Saturday, May 10, 2008
Shortcuts
I anticipate that one of the hardest thing of being a parent is to be a role model for my kid. If I expect my kid to be responsible, then my wife and I should show our responsibility. If I expect my kid to be loving, we should be loving first.
Yes it will be hard, because like it or not, most children will take example from their parents. Just as most people will also take example from their leaders. Hence why, just like parents, one of the hardest duties for leaders is to be role model to the people they lead.
This is one of the reasons why Indonesia is such a mess. We are in crisis for role models. Our leaders are corrupt, they never fulfil their promises, nor are they ashamed to make policies and decisions that blatantly show their greed and detachedness from the people.
As a result, Indonesians, the most charming people in the world according to our past propaganda, show little care for each other. Each of us is an egomaniacs, we want things to go our way, regardless of the cost to others. For an obvious example, just try to watch one hour on Jakarta's rush hour traffic. Many people just don't care if others are having heart attack because of the way they use the street (many are not necessarily driving a car or riding a motorcycle). Many just don't follow the rules anymore. Worst of all, is that many people of power, who are supposed to be role models, are using their powers to avoid the "commoners traffic". They are above commoners. Why should they be in traffic even if they are just going home from work? Just have your bodyguards, entourage, and policemen to force others to make way for you.
It is a disgusting shortcut to everyday problem and yes, we have too many people who are supposed to be role models taking shortcuts in life. I surely want to protect my kid from this shortcut attitude. You want a better traffic? Then we'd better start to work together for it. You want a better life? Work for it. No shortcuts!
Yes it will be hard, because like it or not, most children will take example from their parents. Just as most people will also take example from their leaders. Hence why, just like parents, one of the hardest duties for leaders is to be role model to the people they lead.
This is one of the reasons why Indonesia is such a mess. We are in crisis for role models. Our leaders are corrupt, they never fulfil their promises, nor are they ashamed to make policies and decisions that blatantly show their greed and detachedness from the people.
As a result, Indonesians, the most charming people in the world according to our past propaganda, show little care for each other. Each of us is an egomaniacs, we want things to go our way, regardless of the cost to others. For an obvious example, just try to watch one hour on Jakarta's rush hour traffic. Many people just don't care if others are having heart attack because of the way they use the street (many are not necessarily driving a car or riding a motorcycle). Many just don't follow the rules anymore. Worst of all, is that many people of power, who are supposed to be role models, are using their powers to avoid the "commoners traffic". They are above commoners. Why should they be in traffic even if they are just going home from work? Just have your bodyguards, entourage, and policemen to force others to make way for you.
It is a disgusting shortcut to everyday problem and yes, we have too many people who are supposed to be role models taking shortcuts in life. I surely want to protect my kid from this shortcut attitude. You want a better traffic? Then we'd better start to work together for it. You want a better life? Work for it. No shortcuts!
# posted by indra : 8:53 PM
