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Major industries were nationalized and social welfare was instituted. The idea behind nationalization was that wealth now belonged in common to the public and not in individual hands. It was a time of grand ideals but eventually for various reasons these movements failed and people became disenchanted.

Cynicism took over. When times were good individuals claimed credit for their successes, intelligence and capability and on this basis, demanded that nationalized or poorly performing businesses be handed over into their care for obscenely megabuck salaries and benefits (privatization of profits).

Most of the time, the ailing companies were turned around by the simple expedient of cooking the books or laying off workers anyway.

However when times were bad or when there was a spate of scandals and scams such as Enron and the Madoff scam, individuals blamed government – whether for unduly strict regulation or for non-regulation and demanded that public money be used to bail out private businesses or buy out toxic assets (socialisation of loss).

This rotation between privatization of profits and socialisation of loss is not as uncommon as it sounds and may be inherent in human nature. (It seems second nature to a lot of people I know). It often occurs on an even bigger scale – in times of war and great crisis, socialist or even communist governments are popular, while in times of peace and plenty, conservative right wing governments become popular. In good times, individuals reap the benefits, while in bad times, the losses and troubles are shouldered by everyone. This principle is even the basis behind the insurance industry.

Unfortunately, when more and more cynicism set in, people refuse to follow these unwritten rules blindly anymore. For example in Mexico, a land famous for its many revolutions, people became so inured to the idealistic call that used the names of the poor and marginalized so cynically, that they no longer respond. As a result there is no future in revolution or reform. Some very capable individuals who have nothing except ambition and faced with a status quo that looks set in granite have no choice but to resort to crime, drug running and kidnappings to get ahead. It is the same in Brazil and many African countries and may be becoming so in the Philippines. The marginalized become criminalized.

In the US, they still have this safety valve. When the Bush administration aided by some wealthy individuals and even investment crooks has squandered away the wealth of the country (even helped by ordinary people in a small sense), a new administration that promises change and hope and greater dignity and greater equality, etc. is elected into government. In a way, although it sucks, it is still a good thing – at the very least they have this safety valve.

Do we have this safety valve in Malaysia?

It would seem that the slash and grab culture is taking root. People become inured to massive unashamed corruption and extremely violent crime. They become insensitive to the cries and screams of the victims, the poor and the marginalized. Police suppression and suppression of free speech is becoming the rule of the day. Evil gangsters infiltrate the police force, reformers are beaten senseless to within inches of their lives or detained without trial or threatened with trumped up charges while the real crimes of the rich and powerful are unpunished even after it goes to court.

Malaysian souls are turning into African or Mexican souls in double quick time. Cynicism and hypocrisy are practiced to perfection. Racism and chauvinism dance beautiful duets – the more dangerously because their practitioners do not seem to realize and do not admit they are being racists or chauvinists. Some even look upon themselves as champions of their “noble” causes.

Do we have the Patience, the Wisdom, the Decency, the Will and the Faith to save ourselves? Who will you vote for in the KT by-election?

- Batman

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