You are lucky I got some time. But don't bother me too much. In a message dated 4/22/2009 6:36:20 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [log in to unmask] writes: A question for political minded folks. I hope the insiders in UDP?NRP and also PDOIS consider answring this questions. For now, let me see how my nephew will respond. This was prepared a while ago, although Sidibe's observation made a lot sense, there is a need for further enquiry. I believe before we are able to engage in any genuine political discussion the question of NADD has to be clearly dealt with and understood. Here are some questions I would want answered 1. What is the difference between a merge and a coalition of political parties? A merger is some union and can run the gamut between some form of coalition and total union which may necessitate adopting a new name and constitution or retaining one of the constituents' name and or constitution. A coalition is a loose union that should not necessitate changes in name and or constitution, merely a name for the new coalition for focus sakes. Either of these forms of association can affect existing elected officials of any or all of the constituent parties depending on the laws of the nation in which such coalescing is envisioned. 2. What kind of coalition would you like to see in preparation for next elections? A coalition desired by the parties to form such coalition. 3. What are you and your party doing in preparation for the coming elections? I am not a member of any party nor has any party invited me to join them yet. 4. What did you learn from the “NADD” debate and disagreement? The nadd effort was doomed from the git go. All parties aiming to coalesce must share a common platform prior to coalition or a common goal around which to coalesce. 5. What effect has the NADD discrepancy on your political perception? NONE. I knew it was not possible unless there is enough flexibility to knead fundamental platforms. That only requires reframing not toal abrogation of platforms variously. 6. What consequences would you measure on party leaders involved with NADD? NONE. They maintain their singular farameworks to live separately and seek the same fortunes separately. 7. Can the existing political parties/leaders deliver needed political change? YES. If they desire to. 8. Do you think the present political leaders overstayed their leadership positions? That is not my purview. It will be presumptuous of me to opine on that one way or the other. 9. Do you think Gambian politics needs new blood, new leaders, new ideas? Gambian politics needs whatever blood, leaders, or ideas Gambians desire. 10. How would you rate the credibility of Gambian politics/politicians? I cannot rate the credibility of any polity. I certainly cannot rate the credibility of fashion. As my friend Karamba is wont to quip, it is what it is. 11. What is the political ideology of your party? Don't belong to a party. Yet. I belong to the school of democracy and democratic life. So if I were to belong to a party, it will be one that values democracy and democratic life. 12. What is the ideological difference between your party, APRC and others? No party yet. Will let you know when I choose a party. 13. Why do you think the voters are voting APRC and not otherwise? I don't know and I don't think the eligible voters of Gambia have voted for APRC in any such appreciable number. 14. What’s more to removing APRC from power, what else is your agenda? I would not want to remove APRC from power if they have the wherewithal to correct their errors and to prosecute their own crimes against Gambians variously, and to refrain from meddling in the affairs of the law courts and the judiciary. Should they be able to do that before the elections, I shall not desire to have them removed from power. They can begin by releasing Kanyibaa Kanyi, Chief Ebrima Manneh, and all those abducted and or illegally arrested and incarcerated and pay due restitution for their offenses. 15. What kind of government do you think would better the living-standard of citizens? Don't know. Nor am I interested in that. What I am interested in is a government that respects the common constitution, does not restrict freedoms of speech, expression, assembly, Association, and movement, and that has a clue what governance entails. These are the pre-requisites for growth of a people. I do not know what standard of life the people desire so I cannot speak to that. 16. How would you attain self-sufficiency in food, local industry and increased export? Dunno. I don't know how much food, industry, or export is sufficient for Gambians. I will not however export food and water except to gift it in emergencies and disaster relief. I will export only manufactured goods, processed minerals, and machinery. I will not export sand. 17. How and how-much do you intend to spend on, for example infrastructure, education, agriculture, job creation and healthcare if your party is elected? Don't have a party yet. And if I do, I will not advise specifying how much to spend on anything. I will advice the level of budgetary emphasis on these areas of life according to what Gambia can afford without counting on Loans, Grants, and gifts. BYE!! Haruna. 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