Aam Admi

Changing Manmohan Singh won’t solve Congi Problems

@sardesairajdeep To use your own point, “Having an honest man as the head of a pack of thieves” will not make any difference to the Congress. It is “common wisdom” that at the very core of all scams is the hidden hand of The Firm.

A well done survey was wasted with a panel of politicians, especially the Congress variety who have decided to loot and scoot by 2014, the country be damned. Its no wonder bills like the Lokpal and NCTC are “sacrificed” in return for staying on till 2014 and maximizing loot and siphoning away to off shore accounts. That’s also why the “Plain” Paper on Black Money.

You just waste TRP with having NOT analysts but common criminals on your panels.

Twitter doesn’t know it, apparently.

@agarwal @satyap @jack Twitter has long ceased to be just an update of status. The conversation has grown as have the users, followers and so on. Its got two serious shortcomings now:

1. Disabling deck.ly (and the like) for longer updates
2. Search of followers and following - own and others

You must surely know this. Why send us to other sites to achieve whats an integral twitter function?

Derek O’Brian earns his TMC membership

@quizderek I dont know if congratulations are due on yr maiden RS speech. If thrashing an obvious fare-rise-will-mean-better-safety was all you had to say for earning your RS seat from TMC, you have earned it.

Now will you please use your long “DNA” in Indian Railways and coziness with Mamata to actually get safety as the #1 priority? Now THAT would make sure the rest of us feel its was worth having “educated” Ppl in RS. Even you will admit that Indian Railway safety is pathetic at best.

BTW I know the “DNA” of Anglo Indians, being married to one. I haven’t found them capable of selling their souls for anything, let alone a RS seat. Maybe you should be true to your own, first. They’re a great lot!

Anna Hazare is right!

In the MMRDA protest presser, Anna Hazare said “The Congress is the worst dhokadhar”. The Congress proved him right. They wouldn’t listen to the majority and prefer to arm twist them by Feb so that a still-watered-down Lokpal will go into the statute.

Notwithstanding anything about the Lokpal, two things are certain:

1. People will now have even less respect for GOI and Parliament.
2. The Anna Hazare movement has AGAIN got a fresh lease of life thanks to the Congress.

2012 WILL be the year of the Lokpal. But it will also be the year of the Middle Class - getting more politically active to elect representatives not rulers.

It takes high talent to make such a mess!

The facts of the Lokpal bill are known to all, so I’ll cut to the chase. What is this mess I refer to?

CBI:

1. Making the CBI independent - No doubt, any police or armed force entity MUST be under civilian control.
2. Making the CBI report totally to to the Lokpal is not the best solution as it would create another power/pillar of our democracy.
3. Politicians won’t want to give up control of a police that will investigate them. Yet, blatant misuse was to to be prevented.

Is it so difficult to formulate a dispensation that suits all principles, but may not suit all personalities?

Lokayukta:

Can the Congress never restrain itself from centralising all power? Its a no brainer that there will be massive opposition to GOI interfering with states. This power monger tendency is shameful.

Lokpal:

Keeping the right to suspend or dismiss the Lokpal by the very people who it will enquire against is the last straw. This is what makes this bill a piece of toilet paper.

Suo Moto Powers:

It is well known that in the absence of an effective whistle blower programme anonymous complaints is the best option and the Lokpal must have suo moto powers.

A change in attitude can only come about with a regime change. Annaji is right. The fight must go to the electoral battle field. Like this.

Needless pain to make a Lokpal

The Congress has a death wish, for sure. They know they have neither the 2/3 majority for a constitutional amendments nor do they command a majority in the Rajya Sabha to pass any bill w/o amendments that suit the others.

So why are they behaving as though they are absolute rulers? Unbending?

On the one hand they keep giving the excuse of ‘compulsions of coalition’, yet are unwilling to bend 1 degree to allow their alliance partners a semblence of sharing the glory of bringing a Lokpal. Then they quibble about “minor” parties becoming King Makers.

If they had worked things out with the BJP - just 3-4 sticking points - they would have not only delivered a super Lokpal but also put these “minor” parties in their place and prevented from blackmail and arm twisting?

Is the BJP a personal enemy or a political adversary? Sonia & Rahul Gandhi have shown no statesmanship and by relying on fixers like Pranab they have put themselves in a corner.

This lack of ‘real leaders’ of Congress to step up to the plate has been the fashion of UPA 1 & 2. Using underlings is okay, up to a point. Beyond that, it becomes a failure of leadership.

That is the bane of the Congress since Indira Gandhi. No leadership. All, reluctant and accidental leaders.

The tyranny of Congress Government of India

Received a short list by email of GOI tyranny worth reading:

——————————— 

We have seen the extreme reluctance of Govt in tackling corruption and all out attempt in putting down the IAC movement right from day one. I am just listing all the diversions and divisionary tactics that the Govt has deployed so far :

1.      They first call team Anna “who are you” and we will not listen to you;

2.      then they said you are unelectable and hence have no right to speak;

3.  then came various corruption charges against team Anna (the famous statement from Manish Tiwari addressing Anna (aap to sar se paun tak bhrastachar me doobe ho);

4.      then notices and charges against Kiran and Arvind;

5.   then came statement that Lokpal is not going to solve corruption but we need much more (nobody denies this but please do one thing first and then think of other changes);

6.    then came complete disregard and ridiculing the findings of survey done by team Anna (where 90% – 95% of people said that they support Jan Lokpal bill). Kapil Sibbal taunted IAC that he is thankful to them that it was not 100% (it shows complete disrespect to what people want);

7.  then came rejection of most of the points raised by team Anna in the drafting committee;

8.   then came attempt to create confusion that there are many versions of Lokpal suggested by other groups;

9.     then came claim that Parliament is supreme (yes it is supreme for legislation but the legislation should be as per people’s wishes and MPs are sent there to represent people’s wishes but they had closed their eyes and ears with regard to what people want);

10. then came statement from PM that we (Govt) do not have a magic wand (people were asking to enact only a strong Lokpal and not play a magic wand to eliminate all corruption);

11. then came statement that Anna’s fast is an insult to Parliament (MPs are insulting Parliament more (and from inside) by their unruly behavior, waving of notes, tearing of papers, holding Parliament to ransom by not letting it function, no debate on crucial bills of public interest, not attending Parliament at all – effectively making it worse than a fish market);

12. then came lofty claim that bill making is the prerogative of Parliament only and no one else can tell them what to do (team Anna never said that they will pass the bill but they were only saying this is what will work and this is what people want, please take it and make it a law);

13. then came the ugly scene of mid night arrest and disruption of baba Ramdev’s fast;

14. then came refusal to provide land (Jantar Mantar) to team Anna for fast in Aug and passing the buck to Delhi’s local police (even a child cannot believe that Govt did not know);

15.  then came arrest of Anna in an attempt to scuttle the movement and then eating humble pie by unconditionally releasing him subsequently;

16.  then came delay in holding negotiation with team Anna for 7 – 8 days during fst in Aug (hoping that the movement will die down);

17.  then came various confusing and attempt to fool team Anna (on day 11 and 12 of fast in Aug) by coming with various drafts with open or misleading statements from Govt;

18.  then came debate in Parliament and sense of house with abrupt closure of house (within 5 second of reading the sense of the house). It was apparent that the Govt was doing it under pressure and did not want any uncomfortable question (whether it is a resolution, sense of house, any possible amendment to it by any MP);

19.  then came disregard of both (a) sense of the house and (b) explicit letter by PM to team Anna in the recommendation of standing committee of Parliament;

20. then came the claim that bills  can only be passed by Parliament (ie by MPs). A common refrain of MPs have been sovereignty of Parliament and their so called right of making bill. It needs reminding them that it is their duty and not right to make law. They have been elected by citizens, sent to Parliament and given the responsibility of formulating policies and making laws as per people’s wishes and not their wishes. Therefore, it is their duty to listen to what people want and refusal to listen to people’s wishes is disrespect to constitution who has given Parliament this responsibility.

21.  Now comes back the charge that Anna is an RSS agent.

There has not been a single instance that I remember where Congress or any of its allies have spoken in favour of IAC movement and demand for a strong Lokpal, except under extreme pressure (as happened in Parliament on 27 Aug). The statement by PM and other leaders about their commitment for bringing a strong Lokpal has no meaning as it is not matched by deeds. People  can see the gap between their deeds and lofty claim of bringing a strong Lokpal. Today the person, who destroyed state administration year rule in Bihar during his 15 year rule and with a corruption case in Chaara ghotala, is their mouth piece and at the front of defending the weak Lokpal bill of Govt!

Anna is a CONGRESS creation!

GOI negotiating strategy or last ditch stand?

The Government of India has thrown down the gauntlet. Or have they?

Scenario #1:

The Lokpal Bill will occupy center stage in Parliament - soon enough. In there, the political parties will have their say and the Government will be seen to “listen” to the opposition and dilute the CBI stance. In return for what? Simple: Passage of the other bills also, considering that Congress allies are against some of them.

Scenario #2:

This is indeed a last ditch effort to save the stranglehold over the CBI. Which Arvind Kejriwal says will bring down this government if CBI become independent. In which case the IAC will have no better option than going in for an electoral battle as the main spoiler. See separate article.

The results of this end game will be known before long, in January when parliament reconvenes.

What should Annaji do now?

Now that the GOI has made it clear politicians will not give up (some) hold over the CBI and the IAC does NOT have an acceptable answer to the valid argument that it will make the Lokpal (LP) a monolithic monster that could well turn into a Gestapo in time, what should Annaji do?

I am not about to discuss the umpteen alternatives (to which I am sure you will be able to add another dozen) but to point to the one thing that matters in any democracy for change to be heralded: Votes.

The only legitimate currency of a democracy are votes, notwithstanding the logic and commonsense that may apply. Too bad, that’s it on that. So instead of arguing and fasting, Annaji & Co should take the fight to the politicians playground: Elections.

No, I am NOT suggesting that the IAC should stand in any elections. Instead I am suggesting the IAC move around the country campaigning against all candidates who will not vote for the JLPB and educate and enroll voters in in each constituency and support one candidate who will spearhead the fight inside the assemblies and parliament.

IF the IAC can swing the vote, the legitimacy of their demands in the systems of democracy are established. IF they are NOT able to do so, they (the IAC) must accept they have (at least temporarily) been defeated and accept the will of the people.

No doubt the IAC can continue the fight at every election that follows till critical mass of MLAs, MPs and Corporators who will spearhead the JLPB are elected and the parties bow to the will of the people.

Fasts and gehraos are seen these days as too coercive. This strategy will not only get wide spread support but also be seen worldwide as democratic and Gandhian in practice.

Of course, the mandarins in the camp Anna have to have an open mind, not just open mouths to listen to reason. Wasting Anna on another fast will put people off, not incite them. If Anna’s fast turns badly, the responsibility for that must be on the hands of camp Anna.

Ten remedies for a Quick Rebound of the Economy

1. Remove ALL restrictions on inter state movement of food grains and food in general.

2. Remove ALL levies and taxes on food.

3. LT remedy: Allow EXPORTS of food/grains. The profits in the hands of 70% of India will increase consumption, therefore GDP.

4. Remove Govt intervention in canalization of minerals and food grains. No min support price either.

5. Allow free pricing of ALL oil based products - LPG, Diesel, Kero & Petrol

6. Cut back on all non-Law & Order government expenditure.

7. Make legal system free to levy charges to fund more benches and judges & infra in courts, with escalating slabs of charges.

8. Reduce standard tenure of all levels of Government from 5 years to three.

9 GOI gets OUT of any and all forms of Business, concentrate on policy and laws and rules harmonization.

10. Delegate financial authority down to the Panchayat/Municipality levels.

@jsvasan

The lesson of Bellary

I know. You must be saying, won’t the people of Bellary ever learn? When will they learn that the deep mines of corruption are eating their land up? You are probably being sanctimonious about the virtues of “responsible” voting…. but stop. Think.

Do you think the people of Bellary are so dumb and so insulated from the same TV programmes we all see?

Do you think they, like their Jat bretheren don’t want the 21st century lifestyle we crave for?

Do you think they don’t know the Reddy brothers looted their land and that Sriramulu is in their camp? Like Ali Baba and the 40 theives?

No. I’m sure you aren’t that dumb either.

So, what do they see that we don’t?

Is the message that BSY and BJP are worse than the Reddy Bros? That Congi is not effective enough to deliver?

Is it that amongst the lot available, Sriramulu would be most effective in delivering development for them?

Is it that the Reddys have seen to it that while they looted the land, many many others also benefited?

For those of us who are animals of current affairs and politics, analyzing to predict the next event, Bellary holds lessons we don’t yet see. That’s all that can be said for sure.

Tackling the nuisance of “marketing” - must read!

Tips for Handling Telemarketers

Three Little Words That Work!!
 
(1)The three little words are: ‘Hold On, Please…’ 

Saying this, while putting down your phone and walking off (instead of hanging-up immediately) would make each telemarketing call so much more time-consuming that boiler room sales would grind to a halt. 
 
Then when you eventually hear the phone company’s ‘beep-beep-beep’ tone, you know it’s time to go back and hang up your handset, which has efficiently completed its task.
 
These three little words will help eliminate telephone soliciting.. 
 
(2) Do you ever get those annoying phone calls with no one on the other end?

This is a telemarketing technique where a machine makes phone calls and records the time of day when a person answers the phone. 
 
This technique is used to determine the best time of day for a ‘real’ sales person to call back and get someone at home.
 
What you can do after answering, if you notice there is no one there, is to immediately start hitting your # button on the phone, 6 or 7 times as quickly as possible. This confuses the machine that dialled the call, and it kicks your number out of their system. Gosh, what a shame not to have your name in their system any longer!!! 

(3) Junk Mail Help: 

When you get ‘ads’ enclosed with your phone or utility bill, return these ‘ads’ with your payment. Let the sending companies throw their own junk mail away.
 
When you get those ‘pre-approved’ letters in the mail for everything from credit cards to 2nd mortgages and similar type junk, do not throw away the return envelope. 
 
Most of these come with postage-paid return envelopes, right? It costs them more than the regular 44 cents postage, ‘IF’ and when they receive them back.
 
It costs them nothing if you throw them away! The postage was around 50 cents before the last increase and it is according to the weight. In that case, why not get rid of some of your other junk mail and put it in these cool little, postage-paid return envelopes.

One of Andy Rooney ‘s (60 minutes) ideas.

Send an ad for your local chimney cleaner to American Express. Send a pizza coupon to Citibank. If you didn’t get anything else that day, then just send them their blank application back!

Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan public meeting FRIDAY in Bangalore

“Never hate politics! Hate the way politics is run in this country.”                                                                                                                                          Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan, Loksatta Party President

 The only way we can change the way the game of politics is played is by changing the game - but the game will not change unless the players are new.

The Answer to “Bad Politics” is “Good Politics” Not “No Politics”

Come and meet Dr JP
- hear a very different take on politics in our country.

Venue : Rotary House of Friendship, Lavelle Road, Bangalore
Date : Friday, 17th June 2011
Time : 6 - 8:30 pm