V.Adamkus: when the crowd starts to dictate to the state, it is a tragedy

Valdas Adamkus, the former president of the Republic of Lithuania, says that he is worried about the situation in the country. “I am also concerned about the judicial system. Can people in the street tell the courts what to do or simply ignore their decisions? When the crowd starts to dictate to the state, it is a tragedy,” V. Adamkus said to the „Lietuvos rytas“, delfi.lt reported on 7 July.

According to him, „because of this attitude, feelings of enthusiasm and freedom during the first days of the independence did not lead us anywhere far, but, instead, we moved many steps back“.

„I can see this and I feel that there is nothing I can do about it. Our primary concern should be the citizen of Lithuania. I believe that this citizen is becoming mature and will do the things that I and other people are dreaming of. Lithuania will appear as a strong and an optimistic country in the eyes of the world,“ said the President.

Translated by Rūta Strolyė

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4 thoughts on “V.Adamkus: when the crowd starts to dictate to the state, it is a tragedy”

michael walsh on 11 July, 2012 at 16:57 said:

Unfortunately, the mindset of present-day politicians is that we elect dictators. By voting for them we delegate all responsibility to them; our opinions are no longer legitimate. As long ago as the 1930s, George Bernard Shaw, the Irish playwright remarked: ‘Every five years the people are given democracy. They go to the polling booths and they vote against it.’ It is as true today as it ever was.
LGI on 11 July, 2012 at 16:20 said:

The hysterical scenes in Garliave (staged by a family that is trying to earn money and political power on a small girl´s trauma), really show how easily manipulated the masses are. I completely agree with Mr Adamkus – this is a tragedy for Lithuania.
Philippino Bob on 11 July, 2012 at 13:40 said:

Oh boy, if this is not an insult to Lithuanian voters, then nothing is!
He better explain himself what he means because this is unacceptable.
Milda on 11 July, 2012 at 11:13 said:

I must object to Mr. Adamkus’s statement: “Can people in the street tell the courts what to do or simply ignore their decisions? When the crowd starts to dictate to the state, it is a tragedy.” Firstly, the judicial sytem and state are two different bodies, that, in a democratic country, should have no influence on each other. Secondly, the so called “crowd” is made up of citizens that vote, most probably many of them voted for Mr. Adamkus. It seems we sometimes forget that the state is there to serve it’s people. Not the other way around. As Audrey Miller once said: “Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to influence state law. Little old me spoke and I was heard. It’s democracy in action.” In my opinion, it is a democratic country’s duty to at least hear out what it’s citizens have to say. What do you think?