Once upon a time in Fruitland...
In the
Nation of Fruitland the highest position in their land was the Big Pineapple,
the title given to their national leader.
The Big Pineapple, knowing it held the solidity of compatriots, citizenry
and other fruits of the nation, was one of the great leaders. The current Big
Pineapple was colourful, healthy to the core, and sweet but could also be prickly. This Big Pineapple did a good
job. However in Fruitland, to be fair to
everyone, national leaders have to stand down after four years.
This meant, the position of being the Big Pineapple was available
to whomever the citizenry, Fruities, chose as their leader. The abilities
for being the Big Pineapple were an even temperament, ability to get on with
others, able to manage the national economy in which all fruits equally worked
and were paid, health care, safety, security and naturally, democracy.
The position was not one for liars, Demi-Fruits nor business
fruits who had their own interests at heart instead of Fruitland, their great
nation.
The time had come for Fruities to decide who they wanted to be the
Big Pineapple.
The finalists in the running for the Nation’s Chief Executive,
being the Big Pineapple, were Banana and Melons. Although Melons is plural, it is one
entity.
So, there were two contestants.
Banana
Banana believed it was the best ever Fruitie to become the National
Leader, the Chief Executive and take the Big Pineapple position, however, ego
was in the way. Banana, like many other bananas, thought it was the
biggest, longest, thickest and able to give the most to the Fruities.
Melons
Melons, also believed it was the best ever Fruitie to become the
National Leader, the Chief Executive and wear the mantle of the Big Pineapple
because of past experience working in the Big Fruit Bowl, had met, managed and
successfully negotiated with representatives of many other nations.
Now, the Fruity citizens had to choose a leader, was it to be Banana
or Melons?
The biggest and most well known faults of Banana was the
propensity to blame others, was a braggart, not able to focus or stay 'on
message' or be truthful. Banana, being
thick could not develop any valid or sensible plans or strategies for Fruitland
citizens work, health care, security and, democracy. In fact, Banana in
wanting to make their nation greater than before, was a conflict because some,
perhaps most Fruities thought their nation has always been great, even now.
On the other hand, Melons biggest faults were the difficulty in
being able to communicate in a personal way, gave a misleading image as
although Melons appear thin skinned and sometimes mushy inside, the Melon image
appeared misleading. Following, Fruities lost the Melon flavour.
Melons had another negative issue based on honesty or openness
or lack thereof.
Melons
had been accused of causing many deaths in another far away nation.
The battle between Banana and Melons was troublesome.
Finding the taste unsavourable, some Fruities were not in favour
or Banana or Melons as both had lost the flavour of what the Fruities wanted in
their Big Pineapple.
Consequently, although some Fruities were fans of Banana and some
of Melons, they would not vote for either.
However,
and also, there are a number of Fruities who will not be voting at all.
Here's the thing.
If a
number of Fruities fail to vote at all, they are literally giving their vote
and democratic rights away and afterwards, well may regret not having had a say
in who wins the Big Pineapple position.
Additionally,
by not voting, it will be four years before the opportunity comes to have a say
in who runs their nation. Non-voters are
cheating themselves.
However, if they vote for Banana or Melons and Banana or Melons gains
the Big Pineapple position and does a good job, this Fruitie voter will feel
pleased with being able to contribute. Obviously if Banana or Melons does
a lousy job, the elected Big Pineapple will not last long.
The
power is in the democratic hands of the voting Fruities.
Once, I was
in a Fruitie position in that I strongly disliked both competitors running for Office. I did not vote and I regretted if for a
number of years. I felt I cheated myself, others had a say and I had
nothing to contribute to, be pleased for or whinge about, because I had no
rights as I had thrown my democratic rights away. Ever since then, I have always ensured I voted.
The Big Pineapple role is comprised of many people and positions,
if Banana or Melons attains their goal and they are performing badly, there are
many supporting Fruities that can deter or stop the stupidity of the Big Pineapple.
In conclusion
Feeling
that both Banana and Melons were not good enough to be the Big Pineapple, some
of the smarter Fruities decided to extract or not include their feelings for
the two competitors and instead, made their decision of who they shall vote for
by looking at the issues at stake in Fruitland.
The Fruities who voted this way felt they were making an
informed decision and were pleased they did not cheat themselves out of their
democratic rights to vote.
Enjoy your Democracy,
Verde.
