The 1st time I voted was 2007.

Also the 1st year I started reading political party manifestos.

I read manifestos in 2011

Again in 2016

And now in 2020

Over those 13 years, NO political party has EVER delivered on most much less all they promised after winning.../1

What’s funny, or sad, depending on who’s reading

Is that these manifestos are the primary documents we have to even attempt to hold politicians ACCOUNTABLE for their commitments to national development.

And we didn’t prepare & give it to them, they present it to us.../2

And they give us manifestos when they feel like,

With the structure they feel like

With or without priorities

Or possible financing

And without basic timelines.

We don’t even know what MAY happen in year 1, 2, 3 or 4 or even if there’ll be an election before year 5.../3

Good governance starts with a strong framework of accountability.

Ours is built like a straw castle.

BOTH parties know it.

So they make promises they darn well know they won’t deliver but defend theirs & critique the other’s with all the self righteousness of the devil.../4

As a seasoned voter I’ve learned to manage expectations:

I know politicians are most enlightened, solutions-oriented & humble in Opposition

I know the winning party won’t deliver ALL promises, but they’ll ALWAYS deliver apologies for corruption, nepotism & of course thievery.