Tuesday, September 20

Could it be? Is Azerbaijan finally becoming like Europe?

Of course not, but it did sound nice didn't it?! 

As I was reading the new issue of TIME (September 26, 2011) I came across an article titled "Irked about perks. Italians are growing tired of picking up the check for their pampered politicians" by Stephen Faris reporting from Rome.

I thought it was ironic, given the resemblance of the situation in oil rich Azerbaijan. As Azerbaijani higher echelons made of ministers, president's closest aid and their families enjoy "opulent life styles" with lavish holidays, extravagant spending, luxury homes and dachas, Azerbaijani people are fed the one very simple line- "Azerbaycan xalqin rifahi gunden gune artir" ("Azerbaijan's well- being grows day-by-day).

Italian politicians lack any evidence of sobriety, just like Azerbaijani ruling elite. Any criticism is dismissed though finally Azerbaijani authorities did at least accept the fact that there is corruption. Not that it has done anything about it except to dismiss few government employees and civil servants here and there. Did that end corruption? Of course not. Did that end or at least vaguely cover up the lavishness? Of course not!

Take Azerbaijani National Parliament for instance. Does living conditions outside of the parliament impact Azerbaijani parliament members' daily lives? Do any of them bother arguing for improving life standards of average citizens? Do they even care to begin with? We all know (yes and that includes pretty much every single international institution or representative present in the country and abroad) that Azerbaijan failed to have democratic elections in the last, what, some 20 years now. And that pretty much every single person sitting in that parliament is a useless sack of potatoes (no offense for those who actually do things).

And yet, when it comes to Italy, people protest, they are fed up, while in Azerbaijan silence of millions of lambs continues at its usual pace. Behold, you shall not speak or utter a word because unlike Italy, Azerbaijani authorities are not so keen and enthusiastic about giving up "la dolce vita".

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately this is true, if Azerbaijan had something like the second amendment this wouldn't be the case. The smaller the government, the better the country.

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately this is true, if Azerbaijan had something like the second amendment this wouldn't be the case. The smaller the government, the better the country.