Pressing for change

Even though there has been progress in the levels of civil participation I've seen at Morelos, there is a room for a lot of improvement.

On the society side, there is the need to make an effort to educate people that they have the right to express they opinions and demand they right in any form that doesn't affect the rights of the rest.

We all have the right to use the streets to as a forum to make our opinions and needs know, but not the right to take them hostage.

And there are other forums where we can make them known, like the media and the social networks on the Internet. Most importantly, we should be open to discuss our points, and negotiate to reach our goals. No one holds an absolute truth, so we most be open to listen to the input offered by other people.

On the part of the authorities, I feel that they lack the will to actually come close to the people that elected them to ask for their input. What's worse, there seems to be a phobia to admit they are wrong in any way, shape or form.

As soon as someone points out something that is not done correctly, instead of starting a dialog or explaining why it isn't the case, they go to say that all is said as a form of political attack by a special group interest.

Negotiation is seen as something that should be avoided at all costs, not as the tool it is. We live in a diverse society, with many different view points and problems. If we are to solve them, and move forward, negotiation is a tool that'll bring us to a solution.

We all need to participate more, but we should learn to do it in a manner more efficient and respecting the rights of everyone.

Society and government

It's rather hard not feel disappointed on how things seem to be working out. For the looks of it, most of the leaders at city and state level seem to be more interested in their personal gains, than actually helping build a better place.

Add to that, the lack of interest of the society at large and it's hard to see how to make things work out.

I get the feeling that most people just don't care enough to actually do something for themselves. The most you get out of them are laments about how all is getting worse, and how no one does anything to fix things. Don't they realise that the solutions begin with ourselves actually doing things?

What most be understood, is that no great actions are needed from everyone to make a difference. What's needed, is that each of us does what we do the best we can. We need to start respecting laws, and acting like true citizens.

We shouldn't need anyone to act or do the right things. At the end of the day, the ones who'll benefit most of acting like that is ourselves. The quality of life in general would greatly increase if we do, and at a certain level, would force the people at power to act accordingly. I don't believe that any government has any incentive to change, if the society of which it comes from doesn't change first.

At the end of the day, the government is only a picture of the people who elects them and puts them in power. Not the other way around.

So, if we want our government to change, we much change as a society.

Discontent

All seems to point that people in Cuernavaca are feed up with how the municipal president has been handling the most important issues of the city.

So far, the hasn't been a satisfactory solution on any of the most pressing problems that the people are asking him to resolve. The tax on property, which is up by more of a 90% in some cases, is still not even addressed directly by the authorities.

There has been some talks about capping the raise to 10% by some social organizations, but government officials say that it isn't an option. What's worse, is that while on the part of the society there is the will to negotiate how much the tax should go up, on the government side there isn't such will. This attitude only adds to the anger, which could lead to more friction.

Other issue, is that the works at Morelos avenue are virtually stalled. Which is unacceptable, since this is one of the main arteries of the city and it's one of the main economic centers of the state capital. About 1500 direct people are at risk of losing their jobs. With the economy as it is, this blow is only going to be magnified.

So, it comes as no surprise that the anger and dissatisfaction with how things are coming to tipping point. Several organizations have started the petition for the president of Cuernavaca to quit.

One wonders if the president actually realizes how much discontent society has.

Open Source

The more I think, and read, about open source the more I've come to like and support it.

I'm attracted to the kind of collaboration in which open source prospers and grows. Indeed, I believe that with this kind of collaboration in more aspects of the society at large would be beneficial. The free flow and exchange of ideas, and the sense of whatever it's been done belongs to everyone, there could be a better way to make things work and move forward.

The idea of people working together to arrive at the goals that on which are of the interest of the individual, is important for the improvement of the community at large.

In a sense, I do believe that each person owns the fruits of his own work. But, we must realize that those fruits are most beneficial when shared with the community. At the end, we are part of a bigger community, and what benefits and makes it better, gives to us a better life.

In order to grow as individuals, we should work to grow as a community.