Jakarta’s election, ‘golput’ and Florida’s 537 votes

Yes, apathy- and skepticism-based golput is fine, but, elections are for humans, not angels. The perfect candidate is next to impossible to find. Most of the time, politics happens in a way that means a less bad candidate being defeated by a bad candidate. The rule of every election is simple; President Barack Obama put it eloquently: “Don’t compare me to the Almighty, compare me to the alternative.”

Continue reading

Where do These Radicals Come From?

The challenge to make changes is not only about how to push the government, but also about how to erode ignorance. There may be times that we cannot rely on the government to influence the society we live in, as it might be too weak or too indecisive. But there will never be times that we cannot rely on people — if only we awaken them in time to realize the real condition of our society and understand what is at stake. Because maybe, it is not about what is in the head that makes a radical, but rather what is in society.

Continue reading