Every 4 years we have elections. Until now, in a democracy like Israel the outcome hasn't been certain. There's always been a good chance that the ruling party would receive enough votes to form a government but there's also always been a chance that one of the other parties, like Kadima or Labour, or even Israel our Home or some other party would win the elections.
In a democracy like Israel one never knew the result untill the final count was up. I was very happy to be living in such a democratic country. I would be very unhappy if this changed.
I would not like to live in a country where everyone is coerced into voting for a certain party and the outcome was certain. I like the feeling that new blood can enter the government and perhaps do a better job than the previous government. I like the feeling that people can express their feelings about the government openly and if they have enough votes they can topple the ruling government.
Since Israel has been in existence we've never been sure how long a government would last. There was always the danger that the government would pass laws that it's coalition partners didn't agree with and threatened to resign.
This was because the govenment was always ready to sacrifice itself for the sake of good laws that would be good for the country.
Laws were passed whether coalition members liked them or not and very often they didn't like the laws and they resigned and the government fell and new elections were held and the people had the chance to elect a government that really respresented their wishes.
Now this is changing. I believe the change began with Menahem Begin's ascent to power in the elections of 1977. He came along with a string of laws in 1977 to please the religious parties so that they would not resign from his coalition government.
Netanyahu has continued Begin's tradition of pandering to the religious parties. Since he's been in power all the laws have been passed without any murmur from the coalition members. This is because the government only presents laws that meet the approval of coalition members without considering whether a law is good for the country or not.
Netanyahu is using his position to entrench it. All his actions are directed at self aggrandisement. He and his cabinet ministers are on a campaign to show that they are the heroes of the nation. Him and his transport minister, Katz, for example place there names on billboards advertising the building of new roads, as if the nations owes them a debt of gratitude for the wonderful new roads that are appearing all over the country.
This kind of behaviour is dangerous because it's a publicity campaign to influence the nation to vote for him in the next election. Unfortunately people are gullible and hail him as the hero instead of criticising him for the things that aren't in order in the country, things that are making the lives of citizens uncomfortable.
There is no law to force desegregation of women on public busses. The law of no public transport on the Sabbath is a burden on people who can't afford cars. There is no law of non discrimination of women in advertising campaigns.
The government isn't ruling. It's simply making laws to keep itself in power. When the government doesn't rule chaos takes over and people start squabbling among themselves. When this happens its the beginning of the end of democracy.
In a democracy like Israel one never knew the result untill the final count was up. I was very happy to be living in such a democratic country. I would be very unhappy if this changed.
I would not like to live in a country where everyone is coerced into voting for a certain party and the outcome was certain. I like the feeling that new blood can enter the government and perhaps do a better job than the previous government. I like the feeling that people can express their feelings about the government openly and if they have enough votes they can topple the ruling government.
Since Israel has been in existence we've never been sure how long a government would last. There was always the danger that the government would pass laws that it's coalition partners didn't agree with and threatened to resign.
This was because the govenment was always ready to sacrifice itself for the sake of good laws that would be good for the country.
Laws were passed whether coalition members liked them or not and very often they didn't like the laws and they resigned and the government fell and new elections were held and the people had the chance to elect a government that really respresented their wishes.
Now this is changing. I believe the change began with Menahem Begin's ascent to power in the elections of 1977. He came along with a string of laws in 1977 to please the religious parties so that they would not resign from his coalition government.
Netanyahu has continued Begin's tradition of pandering to the religious parties. Since he's been in power all the laws have been passed without any murmur from the coalition members. This is because the government only presents laws that meet the approval of coalition members without considering whether a law is good for the country or not.
Netanyahu is using his position to entrench it. All his actions are directed at self aggrandisement. He and his cabinet ministers are on a campaign to show that they are the heroes of the nation. Him and his transport minister, Katz, for example place there names on billboards advertising the building of new roads, as if the nations owes them a debt of gratitude for the wonderful new roads that are appearing all over the country.
This kind of behaviour is dangerous because it's a publicity campaign to influence the nation to vote for him in the next election. Unfortunately people are gullible and hail him as the hero instead of criticising him for the things that aren't in order in the country, things that are making the lives of citizens uncomfortable.
There is no law to force desegregation of women on public busses. The law of no public transport on the Sabbath is a burden on people who can't afford cars. There is no law of non discrimination of women in advertising campaigns.
The government isn't ruling. It's simply making laws to keep itself in power. When the government doesn't rule chaos takes over and people start squabbling among themselves. When this happens its the beginning of the end of democracy.
