Lawmakers for Overseas Shipment, Destination Belgium

Deep has been the wish of the Lebanese to see the current batch of politicians and figureheads dissipate like smoke in the wind, as people have for long aspired to a leader-free Lebanon. 

Just across the Mediterranean, lies the European continent with its various cultures and climate. Despite the various dissimilarities in looks and mentality, Belgium seems to share with Lebanon political turmoil. The European country had already succeeded in instilling peace and forging tranquility. Pluralism, however, is one impediment that is tedious to overcome, for it paralyzes state institutions at times.

Belgium had sustained what was recorded as the longest political crisis in the world, where the country was left without a cabinet from June 2010 to September 2011; 16 dreary months resulting from internal rifts between the Dutch-speaking Flamant, the French-speaking Walloons and the German- speaking minority.

Should we say that we have found our "politically turbulent" soul mate, then we ought to make a comparison, that obviously does not dawdle over language issues, but rather considers matters tantamount to failing policies, deteriorating economic endeavors and diminishing job opportunities.

Lebanon portrays a nation that relies on the flimsy sectarian balance, bolstered by regional and international "supporting arms" while being tossed and turned as currents drag the loosening sect-ties into the burning regional sea of coal, ambers, bullets and death. As the region is being battered by large-scale unrest that has significantly contributed to aging the revolutions, wrinkling their lustrous appearance and forcefully blinding it, democracy has been brushed aside as everyone forgot that it is a responsibility and a duty that ought to be upheld.

Yet, alas this seems to have dodged all Lebanese logic and so the glue was turned into water.

Casting your ballots in Belgium is a sacred and legal obligation, for it is mandatory for individuals, who have reached eighteen years of age, to partake in the voting process. Otherwise he or she would be subject to fines and stripped from political rights. Hence, Belgium enjoys the highest turnout in the world.

Revenons  to our beloved country, where the same old lawmakers re-emerge every five years to represent citizens with promises of a better future, a free country and a better economy. With every electoral deadline, it seems that those same faces fail the people, disappoint optimistic onlookers as democracy morphed into endeavors seeking to find a consensual candidate. Lebanon's democratic system has been greatly distorted as lawmakers are seen disrupting the election, stalling here and there and dallying around the Nejmeh square until Speaker of The House Nabih Berri falls prey to the same old disruptive routine.

Let us draw a lesson from Belgium, let us humble our heads and maybe let lawmakers filled with hot air experience be taught the democratic life by imposing penalties in the hopes that a few Lebanese Pounds would eventually re-awaken their national moral sense.

Here's an escapade, a jaunt that might have positive repercussions, and maybe help us reach a destination … any destination … let us discipline our lawmakers and politicians by "exporting" them into Belgium.

Article originally written in Arabic by Cynthia Sarkis