Learning from Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton's book My Life is a best seller on the Dhaka streets. I bought Clinton for a mere one hundred Taka, and started noting quotable quotes. Here is the first installment of musings. "We campaign in poetry, but govern in prose" (Bill Clinton). Here in Dhaka we campaign too vigorously, displaying too many muscles, teeth, fangs, and cold barrel or knife; and govern too earnestly, blocking the way for others. Can political ideas be patented? 'lies hurt, but occasional truth hurt more'. The readers can cite many examples from personal and public lives. [the opposition party] had a heart, but their head was in the wrong place'. Apply to parties in Dhaka and compare and contrast. When a politician uses the head and heart together in sync, it works privately, but not in public service. In serving people, the heart is taken out and displayed prominently, but what goes inside the head is confidential. Of the five core American beliefs, one is asking the citizens to give something back to the country. What our leaders in Dhaka are giving back to the nation? Not yet waiting too long. The leaders have to equip the people with some tools. There are too many dangerous tools in a few hands!
Give the people more substance than style (election campaign strategy). Clinton learned a lot just listening to people. Our leaders lend their ears for a price! Clinton noted the 'greatness of Nelson Mandela', after the latter met him a couple of times.
Mandela was interested in children and made it a point to greet Clinton's tiny daughter Chelsea, and even asked to talked to her on telephone. Greatness effaces the selfish ego, and takes on the innocence of a child. Bill Clinton believed in supporting the middle class, and made it a point to mention them in his election campaigns.
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