I agree with Optimist ( Don't just rant, vote to end misery ). Why are we all ranting about the present ruling parties that steer our government?

If we want to be treated better, let's just try casting our vote for the opposition. In any democracy-based government, a strong opposition is always healthy for citizens. This is a natural form of check and balance and maintains a certain level of government-worthiness.

In our case, firstly, we have to build a much stronger opposition, hopefully, in the coming election. Once this is done, in the following general election, the strong opposition should be able to clinch a majority in the cabinet (I wish for this in the coming general election).

Now, there are many of you thinking, "Do they (opposition) have the calibre or experience to run the government?" Just think, did our fathers and grandfathers think during the fight for our country's independence whether our late and respected Tunku Abdul Rahman and associated leaders have the calibre or the experience to run a newborn country, let alone be its first prime minister? The opposition need not have to run the government, the government is already being run by civil servants i.e. it is already functioning, just as it was when we took over from the British.

Our government has been in existence even before independence and our freedom fighters just stepped-in and carried on! So let's give the opposition policy-makers a chance to exercise what was done in 1957 by our founding fathers to "step in and carry on" and prove to us that they, the opposition, mean business.

If there is a large increase in non-voters or low voter turn-out, those in power and the opposition will acknowledge that there could be potential political instability. This gap would force both the ruling parties and the opposition to transform themselves and develop some basic and credible political maturity if they wish to woo current and potential voters. For example, by forming a new coalition, doing away with race or religion based parties etc.

Just look at all the issues raised, and what we the rakyat , are facing in our daily lives: Penang outer ring road, high tolls, dengue, incompetentlocal councils/authorities, poor management of our natural resources, environment, utilities, services and businesses.