From discussion to debacle

I saw the need for suspension my quasi-announced cessation of cooperation in opinion columns, which I did in my previous article.

After taking the time to inject a tune into the first debate of the 2024 presidential candidates. scheduled election court and interview which Mr. Mulino held with a number of young people interested in learning about the proposals salary calculation Realizing Goals-Alliance, I have no choice but to return to the role of political analyst, which I may not do as well as they do professors Bernal, Cabrera and Morales, Stoute and Toro.

Yes, I’m trying. It would be selfish and irresponsible of me to stop sharing my views with our readers. Panama is currently a floating ship, one without a fixed direction, nor a captain. What we could hear and see on Tuesday is not encouraging, but rather frightening.

Improvisation and mediocrity prevailed. The tone was one of discredit, insult and disrespect. Much more is expected from the candidate for the first president of the country. Panama can boast of having some of the best minds in political matters. Talented men and women who knew how to develop and manage political discourse and thought.

Among them we can include Dr. Justa Arosemena, Brothers Arias Madrid, Belisario Porras, Ricardo J. Alfaro, Carlos Iván Zúñiga, Clara González de Beringher, Esther Neira de Calvo, Gumersinda Páez, Jorge Rubén Rosas, the Arrocha Graell brothers, Guillermo Ford, Ricardo Arias Calderón and Jorge Illueca, among many others. Not all are necessarily saints of the piety of some, however, people with experience and political education. The most important thing is that all of them gained credibility at a certain point in their efforts within the national arena.

During the presidential elections in the early 1960s, two figures from North American politics participated in a debate whose outcome probably changed history Humanity. I am thinking of then Senator Kennedy and Vice President Nixon. Both politicians with completely different socioeconomic backgrounds.

Even if they managed to stand out during their public life, not forgetting that they are both human beings, prone to make mistakes. From that moment on, the debate between the candidates became a key part of the strategy to be followed in the election campaign. It is important that whoever stands in front of the microphone understands the importance of his message and that this is it the best opportunity to share your suggestions with the audience. Obviously, Subjectively, it tries to show who has the best command of public speaking and the art of persuading the masses. Honesty of the content is not necessarily highlighted, but a level of politeness and respect is sought to be maintained.

We couldn’t see any of that last Tuesday the 26th. It is true that some knew how to keep their composure, it is also true that they mostly devoted themselves to attacking and justifying themselves. Reasonable answers were rarely heard. Overall participation was low. The local newspaper published the analysis of six experts and the average rating, I interpret it as if we witnessed a spectacle media in search of ratings. It may have gained the attention of radio listeners and viewers, but it also created great disillusionment and the question “is our future in the hands of one of these?”

I’m not motivated to disqualify myself, because the candidates themselves spared me the trouble of doing sobut because of that I have to warn the citizens about what we are facing.

Let’s evaluate: which of the candidates presented one proposal that potentially improves the quality of life of Panamanians, without missing the opportunity to disqualify one of their opponents? I’ll save you time: nothing. The technique of negative comparison of other present persons was developed, without contributing anything of value.

The embodiment of well-known characters prevailed, to create a superhero. As Tina Turner’s song went, “We don’t need another hero.”…. We citizens need to hear solutions. We want to hear concrete, but achievable and simple plans. We do not want an increase in external public debt, the creation of populist palliatives. Is anyone really planning to cut the state budget or stop compromising the economy by giving concessions to friends or donors, what ultimately increases the price of a service that we hardly receive? How many of them really have an idea how to save the Social Security Fund? Which of the candidates knows how to ensure the supply of drinking water for the entire population? Does anyone have an idea how to create jobs without promising to attract investment, not knowing that a mine has just closed or creating half a million jobs? Which of the pseudo-candidates plans to return to the corner of the country where the indigenous majority lives and where they offered heaven and earth, but not before sharing hugs and kisses, and then disinfectant?

And they continue to participate in exclusive forums where shipping, economic development, environmental protection and tourism are discussed. Everyone lies through their teeth. They will continue to do this shamelessly, because they seriously understood that this is how a politician should behave. They lack knowledge and experience, above all good intentions. Everyone is looking for victory with a minimum percentage of the vote, unaware that there is such a thing as the will of the people. The current government has shown the risk of not having the unconditional support of the legislative assembly.

And in fact, in Panama there are still men and women with administrative qualities, uninitiated people, who could cooperate to save the country. But they are either cowards or selfish. They do not compromise their comfortable lives for the future of the nation. Among them there are those who have the energy and morals to criticize others. It’s simple. We can do it with our eyes closed, but at what cost. Compatriots, it’s time to think. It is our turn to decide which country we want. Let’s not sit idly by. Let’s not keep choosing more of the same. Let’s not sponsor the “what’s wrong with me” and he plays alive. But let’s not sacrifice this beautiful coating by experimenting with wolves in sheep’s clothing.

Nor is it we are for Fujimoris. Despair is a bad counselor. False prophets should have no place among us. Learn to read between the lines.

I will try to continue to cooperate with this column, as long as it exists. Thousands of kilometers away, I still love my country and wish the best for it and its people. We really do have a little cup of gold. Don’t let those in the debate, or anyone else, lead to a debacle!