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May Anyone Complain While War Rages in Syria?

7/22/2017

21 Comments

 
​South Africans, including those who manage to focus on their blessings, have a lot to complain about.  

The Poor 

While about 50% of South-Africans live below the breadline, 23% lives in extreme poverty. They are mainly people from rural districts flocking to large cities where they’re supposed to get a house from the government, or at least a job. A great number of them are legal immigrants from elsewhere in Africa, while almost a million are illegal squatters. Some of these extremely poor people have lost all their belongings in fires and/or floods. 
 
Unemployed, waiting in vain for the government to provide houses, water, a decent sewerage-system, and services such as health care, the removal of refuse, and free education also on tertiary level, they participate in riots, torching vehicles and buildings that belong to the government or whomever they see responsible for their suffering. After all, the children in this group amount to about 63% of all children in the country.
 
Because they can’t afford televisions and Internet, they are not aware of what goes on elsewhere in the country, or on the government level where corrupt ministers and managers of state enterprises steal millions from treasury through rigged contracts.
 
Poor people have a lot to complain about.
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Poor South Africans have a lot to complain about

The Middle-class​

​People in the middle-class have a lot to complain about. Although grateful for having a job, or some source of income, they complain about ongoing nepotism and cronyism and injustice committed by the powers to be. They complain about the rising inflation, the increasing petrol price, increasing traveling fees, unaffordable food and electricity prices, and about local municipalities going bankrupt due to the ridiculous high salaries of incompetent managers.   
 
Many complain about math and science being compulsory school subjects, and universities not yet extricated from colonialism. Some complain because the government denies its incompetence by reducing the standard of education. Some see no future for their children, as ANC-government’s racial policies hamper economic growth.
 
The middle-class complains about expensive yet insufficient medical insurance, and the ridiculous high cost of medical treatment and medicine. White farmers owning land they have inherited or bought and cultivated to the benefit of many, complain because they are being told to return the land their forefathers have allegedly stolen. They cry in vain because they are the daily target of merciless, murderous criminals. Landlords, too, complain in vain as their properties are being usurped by illegal migrants including drug lords, pimps, and prostitutes.
 
Middle-class people have even more to complain about.
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Middle-class South Africans have a lot to complain about

The Rich

​The rich also have a lot to complain about, as they are being exploited through government’s tax policies which demand more from the rich than from the middle-class. 
 
They complain because the government continues to threaten them with ‘land expropriation without compensation’, and ‘elimination of monopoly capital’.  They complain about the weakening of their shares in companies that are unable to show any profit due to immovable labour laws and the relentless demands of workers' unions. 
 
The rich have a lot to complain about!  
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The Rich in SA have a lot to complain about

​But ... 
 

​..... May anyone complain while war is raging in Syria?
 
The devastating results of the war in Syria – for all to see on television and YouTube - make me realize that the people of South Africa are still fortunate in spite of all that is wrong and not yet on par with a constitutional democracy. South Africans should, perhaps, complain less and rejoice more because war is still a baboon on the other side of the mountain.¹

I am sure citizens of many other countries ask themselves the same question: “May anyone complain while war rages in Syria?
 
¹ “Do not fetch the baboon from behind the hill,” is an Afrikaans idiom meaning ‘don’t talk about problems that haven’t happened yet.’

Picture
Five ways the conflict in Syria has changed the world

Condolences
​

​My deepest condolences to all the victims of the Syrian war! May their suffering soon turn out for the best.

​Until next week,
Hugs,
Martie

​ShoutOuts:

  • By Vicki - Summer-dog-days-on-the-pier
  • By Maria - Charlies-angel
  • By Angelia - Tasks-the-perfect-enhancement-to-your-mobile-google-office
  • ​By Rolly - Finding Center Again
  • By Billybuc - The-Writers-Mailbag
21 Comments
Rolly A. Chabot link
7/25/2017 07:34:44 pm

Hi Martie...
So sad to hear all you have written. I have a friend in Zimbabwe who emails when he can. He cleans windows and sweeps floors in an internet cafe as payment to stay in touch. He explains what is happening and it is devastating to read of their plight.
Excellent article explaining the gaps in the culture...

Hugs and Blessings as always

Reply
Martie link
7/25/2017 08:54:26 pm

Rolly, I hope your friend will get his own computer and service provider. It must be very unpleasant, cleaning windows and sweeping floors just to spend some time on the Internet? I believe he is one of the many-many whites who have lost their job due to racist Mugabi's anti-white policies. Only a miracle will save South Africa from going down the drain like Zimbabwe.

Reply
Nellieanna link
7/25/2017 07:36:27 pm

So thought-provoking and important, dear Martie! Well done. We need the reminder! Our hearts must be open to the cries of those poor victims and we should measure the weight of our own personal complaints & needs by the standard of others' complaints & needs. We were taught it as children when our parents reminded us that there were hungry children in the world when we complained about the food we were given. Still, the reality is that we do feel and experience our own complaints first-hand and 24/7 and as mature people, we are responsible for whatever relief they get, whatever their comparative weight and burden. It's part of our responsibility as humans to attend to our own needs & not to become others' burdens. It doesn't excuse us from concern & doing whatever we can to help others, but unless we're ABLE in all our 'departments' - physical, mental and emotional, we are less effective in helping others with theirs. Balance between making sure we're not burdening others and being able and willing to help others is the requirement. The Bible reminds us that the poor we always have with us. We can help individuals in need, and should be willing to. If we can have an effect in helping groups, we should. Still, our most effective primary duty is remaining as whole as we can, & as able as we can to contribute and have a good effect on our world as we encounter it. Of course, if we become selfish and self-serving only & choose to ignore the cries of the needy, we are out of balance & damaged. We must have compassion. I'm devastated by the suffering in Syria & among other victims of evil, wicked oligarchs. Seeing all that suffering does mitigate the weight of mine. Still, if we neglect our own welfare, we become less able to help and more a part of the problem for ourselves and others. As they say, it's not easy being a (balanced) grownup.

Reply
Martie link
7/25/2017 09:18:38 pm

Dear Nellieanna - Putting myself in the shoes of the poor, and of the victims of the Syrian war, makes me physically sick. I have to remind myself all the time that I don't have the means or the power to reduce their suffering, and therefor I should rather try harder to spread love and help the needy in my own region. My gratitude multiplies when I become aware of the sufferings of others, and, sadly, also my impotent anger towards the many who causes poverty and war.

Thanks for your comforting comment :)

Reply
William Holland link
7/25/2017 07:42:35 pm

Martie, this is a message I remind myself of daily. I have nothing to complain about. Absolutely nothing! I had a sponsor once who told me I could make a typhoon out of a glass of water. I can gladly say I have grown considerably since those days.

Reply
Martie link
7/25/2017 09:49:18 pm

William - When I close my eyes, trying to put myself in the shoes of someone who has NOTHING except the clothes on their body and one blanket, I have to open my eyes very quickly in order to not get an anxiety attack. Really, we have no clue what its like to have nothing. I am so glad you agree with me.

Reply
Angelia link
7/25/2017 08:04:22 pm

Martie,

A provocative read here, and you've done a wonderful job in representing all involved. So much to think about. So many to consider. So much to be grateful for and just as much to remain in prayer for.

Reply
Martie link
7/25/2017 10:00:39 pm

Angelia - We have indeed much to be grateful for, and we should rather pray for the poor and the refugees of wars instead of complaining about the shortages in our own lives. Never underestimate the power of prayers, is one of my personal rules.

Reply
Mike
7/25/2017 08:24:16 pm

Hello Martie - Indeed, the world is in turmoil. So much of the turmoil is caused by governments with little or no knowledge about how to govern, or their roll. You can bet, if there are complaints, there are also profits. Very interesting artivle.

Reply
Martie link
7/25/2017 10:14:00 pm

Mike - The bad things people do to each other have no boundaries. Greed, including the urge to have the most power, is always the primary motivation. The poor people in SA would have had a lot more today if it were/are not for incompetent government officials and/or fraud committed by greedy, corrupt people in powerful positions. Will there ever be peace in the Middle East?

Reply
Peg Cole link
7/26/2017 06:00:57 pm

This really puts things into perspective when we dare to complain. How many people in this country complain about absolutely everything when we have such a wonderful life? Interesting reading here.

Reply
Martie link
7/26/2017 09:30:23 pm

Dear Peg,

The fastest way to replace a negative complaining spirit with a positive grateful spirit is by comparing our complaints to those of people who are less fortunate than us. Thanks for you supporting comment.

Reply
Rasma Raisters link
7/27/2017 12:14:37 pm

Then in my little corner of the world there is nothing to complain about and nothing to fear. You have expressed this so well and I am saddened that people have to live that way.

Reply
Martie link
7/27/2017 09:42:52 pm

Hi Rasma, how I envy you! I don't think SA will ever be as peaceful and wonderful as your corner of the world. I believe you are shining daily with joy and gratitude. Hugs.

Reply
Maria link
7/27/2017 12:42:13 pm

Dear Martie,

Perspective is one of the most powerful tools we have - if we look beyond the nose on our face.

Your posts consistently broaden my perspective and put me in my place in the gratitude department.

BTW, totally love and agree with Nellieanna's remarks.

Wishing you peace and sending lots of hugs, mar

Reply
Martie link
7/27/2017 09:51:23 pm

Dear Maria,

In order to determine the value of our blessings we just have to know what's going on elsewhere in the world.

Your hugs are so welcome! They give me strength and courage and a reason to stay positive and objective.

From my heart and the beautiful side of SA, lots of hugs to you.

Reply
Vicki link
7/27/2017 03:54:20 pm

Dear Martie,

The devastation in Syria is horrific and impossible to imagine. However, it's a difference in scale. You have a lot to complain about, and it is richly deserved. I often think it should be the presidents and prime ministers who should engage in good, old fashioned duels to the death, instead of inflicting the pain and suffering on their countries.
That would be a way of stopping war, and the present mayhem that rules in too many countries, including yours.

Reply
Martie link
7/27/2017 10:08:53 pm

Dear Vicki,

What a bright idea! Let them fight it out, and let the people live in peace. People don't care who their president is; they care about themselves, their friends and relatives, and their offspring. But sadly, their happiness or unhappiness depend on the doings of their president.

Unless they are able to use their faith in God effectively. How wonderful must it be to distance oneself successfully from all the wrongs in order to delight in God and his promises?


Reply
Sannel Larson link
7/29/2017 07:02:13 pm

Dear Martie,

Thank you for this thought-provoking post, a great reminder how well off many of us are. Living in a country like Sweden, I have absolutely nothing to complain about. Our government is taking well care of its citizens. And I'm feeling blessed living in this peaceful country. On my trip to SA, I only saw the beautiful side. However, between my fingers I saw the poverty, and felt the violence that were surrounding me. Still, compared to Syria, I'm sure those people live a gentler life, even if they may not see it that way. SA as so many other countries are ruled by a corrupt, money hungry, power greedy governments. Unfortunately, it's the humble man who will do all the suffering. :(
Love and peace to you, my friend,
Sannel


Reply
Martie link
7/31/2017 11:02:44 pm

Dear Sannel,

You are so privilege, living in Sweden. I honestly don't know how many centuries it's going to take for SA's government - and not to talk about the rest in Africa - to become as competent and incorrupt as your government is today. Currently as a government, SA is still like a teenager - rebellious, ignorant, self-centered, foolish, and downright unintelligent. And the people is suffering the consequences.

Hopefully a miracle is waiting around the corner.

Hugs,
Martie

Reply
Martie link
7/31/2017 11:49:07 pm

Sannel,

I have to add that we have some highly intelligent and truly honest people in leading positions. Sadly, the bad and the ugly thrive, like weed in a neglected garden.




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