And just as those whose courage shines the most

In battle, are the least inclined to boast,

So those whose hearts are truly pure and lowly

Don’t make a flashy show of being holy.

There is a vast difference, so it seems to me,

Between true piety and hypocrisy:

How do you fail to see it, may I ask?

Is not a face quite different from a mask?

Cannot sincerity and cunning art,

Reality and semblance, be told apart?

Are scarecrows just like men, and do you hold

That a false coin is just as good as gold?

Ah, brother, man’s a strangely fashioned creature

Who seldom is content to follow Nature

But recklessly pursue his inclination

Beyond the narrow bounds of Reason’s laws,

Perverts a lofty aim or noble cause.

A passing observation, but it applies.

 Cleante’s words of wisdom are very reminiscent of the Dog-in-the-Manger mentality of the leadership of the BNTU/PSU and Godwin Hulse. Mr. Hulse, who was constantly inviting himself to talk to whoever cared to listen to his pontification about the virtue of an elected Senate, has now shamelessly disavowed his rallying cry for an elected Senate because of his hate for the PUP. The mask has finally come off. He had been on the forefront clamouring for political reform. Now when reform stares him once more he quickly turned into Chicken Little. He and his union colleagues are trying to pervert a lofty process with the hope of short term political gain. There is nothing to gain from duplicity, Senator. What results from such subterfuge is simply the lost of credibility and respect. Since the UDP is confused about the idea of an elected Senate, Hulse lacks the courage of his own deception to stand up in opposition to the UDP’s position.

 However, what has become clear during his press conference is indicative of a case of vested self-interest. The man wants to preserve a place for himself in an appointed Senate. He does not have the courage to face the electorate to derive his power from, yet he craves more power than the elected politicians. And because his pretentious ambition in the name of the public good cannot be concealed under enormous political pressure, the Senator is now forced to pursue his ambition recklessly. The senator needs to be reminded that politics comprises the process by which rulers are elected and empowered to make decisions, take action to attain common goals, and reconcile conflicts within the political community. If the gentleman’s intentions were pure he could have adopted a different approach to address his misgivings.

Yes, the participation of responsible civil society is a good indicator of a flourishing democracy. The Prime Minister has always engaged civil society in the process of development in Belize even when he is aware of their mischievous intentions. However, civil society must realize that it is the government who will account to the people and not them. Some members of civil society want to wield power disproportionate to their mandate. That is contrary to the principles of democracy. Those who want power should submit themselves to the will of the people in an election. Period.

 The Spanish Jesuit Baltasar Gracian offers an advice to the knowledgeable erstwhile senator: A fine intellect wedded to a wicked will is always an unnatural monster. A wicked will poisons all perfections; helped by knowledge it only ruins with greater subtlety. It is a miserable superiority that only results in ruin. Knowledge without sense is double folly.