Remarks

There are some remarks I have to make after the recent discussion.

First, genuine support to democracy does not mean voting for Party D. A well informed and calculated voter should vote whatever he prefers.

And, don't be too serious with my example of bribing voters by cash money - all elections are bribery of one form or another.

In most cases, however, the transaction is more subtle than the famous Four Great Inventions (蛇齋餅糉). Sometimes they fight for a better social welfare, rising our salary, cutting working hours, limiting competition from new immigrants - be they Filipino maid or British doctors. Yes, between statesmen or parties, politics is negotiation. But, between backbenchers and their constituents, politics is always benefit or bribery - depending on how you call it. For each candidate running for an election, they represent a mixture of policies and proposals sold in a bundle; even a wise voter could only choose a better candidate by balancing the gain and payoff.

It is, in short, the rule of the game.