A President with little dignity

Like all presidents, he does not have many things to do. He is a part time farmer and lives in a farm with his wife and a dog named Manuel, the only 3 legged thing around him. He attends meetings or meets other presidents and prime ministers in a casual shirt and a pair of sandals. Of course he owns a car, an old Volkswagen beetle that could be probably half his age. His only trapping of power are two security guards outside along the road to his farm house. There was a palace for him but he did not deem fit to occupy such an extravagant place.

And because he practically has not much to do as presidents often do, he is only paid and equivalent of S$12,000 a month. And because he knew that he did not do much he probably feels ashamed to take that money. So he donated 90% of the money to charity. No, he did not attend charity shows to raise fund, to make other people donate money to charity in his name so that he can use his fat salary to buy houses and more houses. When 90% of his $12,000 is donated, there is not much money left for himself and his wife. So they grow flowers to sell in the market to earn some pocket money.

President Jose Mujica of Uruguay is no meek and spineless individual. He was a guerilla fighter, fought for freedom of his people, not against his people. He was imprisoned twice and shot 6 times for trying to escape.

Though he is a hero in Uruguay, he is unlikely to have much dignity in countries when a person’s worth is measured in how much he is taking home, no matter if he is working or not, no matter if he is deserving of the money he takes. This is a simple man with simple dignity and earns an honest day’s work, with his own dignity, and to be honoured by his people as a national hero. You can say that every cents paid to him is worth it.