Clive Bibby: Collateral damage or architects of our own future

Countries like ours (members of what remains of the Free World) appear to be divided into two groups of people who have already made choices about our future both here at home and as members of the commonwealth of nations collectively facing the problems of the times.

Unfortunately, for the rest of humanity, those same choices were never theirs and even the ones that might have mattered, have already been made by others. 

That is why, I find it appalling that far too many people in this country seem apathetic to the opportunities that abound where every citizen has the right (almost an obligation) to have a say about the way we are governed and by whom.

This apathy is highlighted by the abysmal turnout at local body elections which should result in fair representation for all but too often ends up in the hands of radicals and activists who have an agenda that is not in the best interests of the majority. 

Consequently, any ideas that don’t fit their narrow focus usually ends up in the trash can or at best, is subjected to a very low priority classification from which it never sees the light of day. 

One of the reasons for this paralysis is that we have lost our appreciation of what we are in danger of loosing and the sacrifices made by our forebears that ensured these choices remain available whether we make use of them or not. 

My guess is that our society has had it too good for so long in relative terms. 

Why is it that generations are being born who assume they are entitled to free care from the cradle to the grave and somebody else should have to pay for it?

And the reason why this attitude has got to the stage where it influences general elections is because the masses have been indoctrinated into believing their future is someone else’s responsibility. In a society where majorities respond to the politicians offering the biggest handout, the end result is usually a foregone conclusion. 

As a result, the national debt increases to a point where the cornerstones of democracy are threatened and our ability as a contributor to the well-being of others less fortunate or who have become collateral damage of tribal warfare is severely compromised. 

In that context, I find it remarkable that the result of the last general election in this country reflected a groundswell shift in majority voting - seemingly for the first time in decades, away from the inertia that comes with blind acceptance towards a more pragmatic approach of valuing our relative position on the world stage and a commitment to ensuring we benefit from a fair distribution of our natural resources amongst those who need it most. 

At long last we appear to have broken the shackles of dependency but it is over to us whether we accept the challenges we face and take a visionary approach to our future.

We could become first among equals and for all the right reasons.

I’m not kidding.

Clive Bibby is a commentator, consultant, farmer and community leader, who lives in Tolaga Bay.