What's wrong Being a Populist?

Not too long a time ago - in 2011 - when a certain political parties' front announced several economic/social initiatives to be implemented should the said font were to be voted as the "next Government of the day", the opposing side was saying that those proposed initiatives were merely a mere rhetoric political statement and a mere populist action ... In other words, they are merely "populist action".

The opposing side's lieutenants came in droves condemning the proposed initiatives by saying they were economically non viable and almost impossible to implement. Almost all of them are saying this common statement _ " ... Ianya hanyalah kenyataan/tindakan populis untuk meraih sokongan rakyat ...."

The proposed initiatives are amongst others to give certain amount of allowances to single mothers, to abolish certain taxes and so on ....

I am not an economist so I am not going to comment on whether those initiatives are economically viable to be implemented or not ... The opposing faction argued that if they were to be implemented the nation would be "penniless" as we are not a "Welfare State" as practiced by several western countries... I am just going to touch on what is the definition of "populist"

Let's define what "populist" is ... Cambridge dictionary defines "populism" as a political ideas and activities that are intended to represent ordinary people's needs and wishes". Being "populist" means "representing the interest and opinions of ordinary people".

'Populism" is an ideology or political philosophy or type of discourse where its common theme normally compares "the people" against "the elite" and urges social and political system change.

So what's wrong being populist? I see nothing wrong for being populist and/or taking a populist action .... Even the critics had been taking populist action when:

1. A certain politician sat on the road (Jalan Bukit Bintang) together with hundreds of football fans watching the EPL match;
2. A certain politician invited group of youths watching a football match at his residence;
3. Hundreds of free lap tops being given to the school children and the "kampung" folks;
4. BR1M,KR1M are created;
5. 1 Malaysia and many other '1 Malaysia" products are being created; and
6. The list goes on and on ....

My point is if being "populist" by the other side of the fence is being deemed as a "crime", the critics are also committing the same "crime", if not worst ....

Being 'populist" is like breathing in oxygen for politicians and had been practiced by them for years... Mao Ze Dong with his "Cultural Revolution", Fidel Castro's iconic brand of cigar smoking and his "guerrilla green jacket and hat" ....

Ooopss!!! I forgot to mention a certain Minister 9or is it Deputy Minister) who pledged after the 2008 General Election that he would spend a night at a Felda Settler's house at least once a month!!! If this is not a "populist action", I do not know what it is as I am very certain it's not a foolish action - at least from this particular YB's mind ...

Till we meet again .....