Blunting politicians' arrogance

Dennie Quill, Columnist

Politicians are often criticised for being arrogant. Jean-Claude 'Baby Doc' Duvalier, the former Haitian despot, has certainly lived up to that reputation.

He fled Haiti in February 1986, some say with US$80 million which he had pilfered and stashed away in Swiss accounts and amid charges of utter brutality, ruthlessness and corruption. Almost 25 years later, he rides back into town on a first-class ticket from France, equipped with his diplomatic passport, declaring, "I am here to help."

Now that's arrogance. This arrogance exemplifies sheer contempt for the people of Haiti. So how does he plan to help in the reconstruction of Haiti? Did he come back empty-handed? First reports characterised this as a three-day visit, but it seems the man accused of systematic torture, murder and corruption could be back in Port-au-Prince for good. But that's the nature of politics - always turbulent and rife with drama. Baby Doc, back in Haiti at 59, savouring grilled conch served with lima beans.

What does it say about the estimated 2,000 people who were at the airport trying to break through the fence to welcome him back? I am baffled by these developments and have tried to imagine whether, as a Haitian, I could so readily brush aside the atrocities of the Duvalier years.

For sure, Haiti needs help. And it needs it desperately. Its shattered infrastructure has not been repaired after the 2010 earthquake, the cholera epidemic heaped more misery on the struggling populace, and, as if all that is not enough, there is looming controversy over the November 2010 elections which have been called fraudulent.

Looking for a messiah

Depressingly, we hear about people being hungry and deprived. And as we know, in these circumstances, desperate people look for a sort of messiah. Already some citizens are saying they were never hungry under Baby Doc. As insane as it sounds, some Haitians may now be looking to Baby Doc for salvation.

"All government is a joke," remarked a university student in his blog. And in our own country, we see that comedians and cartoonists often caricature politicians as inept and arrogant. The audience usually applauds, believing it to be true.

Many people have grown very negative about politics and the power-lusting men and women who offer themselves for public office. They argue that key policies affecting the economy, health care, education and national security are often made to satisfy short-term interests of politicians and not the best long-term interests of the country.

The recent MP expense scandal in the United Kingdom makes it clear that corruption in government is not unique to Third-World countries. Sometimes we catch them, but more often we don't. But politicians the world over are involved in deal-making, arm-twisting, aiding special interests and currying favour as they fatten their bottom lines.

The only way to blunt politicians' arrogance, greed and sense of entitlement is to establish term limits. I fully support the concept, but in a room of politicians I would surely be in the minority. Term limits is the only thing that will give a fresh, innovative reformer a fighting chance to become involved in parliamentary politics. Career politicians tend to want to hold on to what they believe is rightfully theirs, and our current system of government encourages incumbency.

Politicians like Baby Doc prove the adage, 'power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely'. But how did he get there? As a young man of 19, he inherited power from his father and held on to it, looting the Treasury, cavorting with various women, investing in fast cars to the peril of the people he had sworn to lead. Let's start agitating for term limits - it is the only thing to keep politicians in check.

Dennie Quill is a veteran journalist. Email feedback to denniequill@hotmail.com.