Optimism after years of Greed and Selfishness?

I received the following from a Bahraini friend of mine

" Kuwait was top of the gulf some 15 years ago, now they
are way behind and have to catch up. A lot of it if
you please let me say is selfishness of rulers and
elite class (business people). They did not open up
the country and favoured protectionism. Plus they did
not know how to win the people or the neighbours or the
world. a serious image building is needed by Kuwait
because for people like me who know it, it is a very
nice place with wonderful people.

Bahrain seriously needs something similar, too much
bureaucracy for no reason. We have more electoral
districts than Kuwait and all for nothing."

He is right ...greed and elitism was fostered and encouraged through bed-sharing with the government for years. It allowed some in the ruling family to aspire for power and influence and join in the atmosphere of greed. Paving the way for corruption. Individual rights were trampled on. Equality was not even expected. Your worth is not about your character and your contributions, but it's simply money.

This caused more corruption, and everyone started to accept a situation of stagnation. No strategy, no care, unless it's about money. No future path. An identity lost. Go to work, push paper in an ever-growing bureaucracy, get paid, take your family out to dinner, get the hell out of the country whenever you can to entertain yourself. Repeat. Politics? Pfft, who cares? Majlis AlOmmah, what's that?

...

Well, now slowly there is a spirit getting back. It's not about money. It's about individual rights, voices to be heard, opportunities for all. Against a system that got ugly and corrupt. The struggle now is to get more people to care.

I spoke with a friend last night. I was wondering if he made it out to one of the gatherings. He was half asleep tired from working too hard. Didn't know what was going on. What was worse was his attitude was very negative, and he sounded like he didn't care because he felt he didn't matter. I spoke with another friend, almost the same. It's sad. Frustrating.

However, not everyone was like that. My brother was excited, and had strong positive opinions. My cousins made it out last night. Another couple of friends were there, one of whom was there since the beginning of the 5 for Kuwait campaign taking pictures and posting on blogs and reporting on things.

So, I sense some optimism. A change in mind, and inshallah the momentum continues and step by step real change happens. Soon enough, we will get a better country. Soon enough, Kuwait will be what it was before and better. Loved and respected by its people, our neighbors, and the world.