Do our politicians read newspapers?

The economy which was showing some signs of improving will again plummet down, the textile industry earning almost 70% of export earnings will suffer tremendously, the law and order situation is on a free fall. When the government and opposition should have joined hands to bring this country to the path of prosperity and democracy, the hard stance taken by the government and the opposition is leading us towards the path of self-destruction. At a time when we should be working to bring foreign investment back to this country, we are in fact driving away possible donors and investors.

A single glance at the front page news in The Daily Star gives me an idea on the "hot issues" of the day around the country. My question is: do our politicians read newspapers? If they do, then how could they so blatantly ignore the real issues that concern the people of the country? It is because of the strong-headedness of these politicians that our country is now facing a stand-off that will eventually destroy the economy and the good-will that we have earned as a tolerant and democratic country throughout the world.