On FTI the question is often raised about the great difficulty that FTI members often have in persuading their spouses that it is a good thing to be part of the Freedom Team.

Spouses tend to "think of FTI as a work of those with ample free time and lot of money and a other unproductive family members to look after".

But the spouses are wrong. Let me explain.

FTI's (full) members are the BEST leaders India currently has. None else come even close. FTI members are screened for (a) high levels of integrity, (b) high levels of commitment to India, (c) high competence, and (d) commitment to liberty and good governance.  

BUT – and this is what spouses may please note – FTI members are not always (being honest) well to do. They are mostly professionals who are eking out a living for themselves and family. Their spouses therefore have a legitimate concern about these passionate FTI members (committed to India) getting so excited about India that they will burn their hard-earned savings in the name of the country.

Don't ever do that, FTI members! Be very clear that you will offer representation services only in lieu of payment. That's my message. And my assurance to the spouses of existing (and prospective) FTI members.

(The following is an edited comment I made on FTI's internal forum):

Dear XX

I have one rule. I don't want us to lead anyone astray and lose them any money unnecessarily. That is why I keep harping: let us prepare for the base camp, and let the people DEMAND our services. Signals will be loud and clear through donations. If these signals aren't coming we know we will lose elections.

Let me say that with proper preparation, and proper demand for a different kind of governance, no FTI member should end up significantly worse off in this process (maybe a few may lose elections out of the 540 who contest), 

FTI members together will have to raise a lot of money (and that means people will have to give it), so it won't be their own money alone that is spent. 

Further, the plan is that the first thing will be to change laws to ensure state funding of elections – retrospectively for the election in which FTI members contest (this will be part of the election platform), so that even those who lose will recover some of the money they spent. 

A good representative of the people is NOT expected to lose money in order to represent them. That is the key message of chapter 4 of BFN. So long  as good people will lose money this way, they will never contest elections.

So that is why don't worry about funds. Just do FTI work and prepare for the elections – in your spare time. 

Tell all spouses that Sanjeev REFUSES to let any FTI member lose their hard earned money in the "service" of India. No sacrifices for the nation, on FTI. Let the nation PAY for the services of FTI members.

s

Let me add, India, that if you think someone should "SACRIFICE" for your sake, you WILL be taken for a FOOL and looted. That is precisely what all existing leaders are doing, and have been doing for six decades: CLAIMING TO SACRIFICE, then LOOTING YOU THROUGH AND THROUGH.

Remember: in EVERYTHING in life, you get what you pay for. You want good leaders (FTI members), then please prepare to pay for that. VERY SMALL amounts of money can add up.

Not the quantity of money you contribute, but your desire. Let your money talk. Signal your desire for good governance by contributing funds (however small) to FTI.

Till YOUR money comes in, FTI members will not contest elections.

Related posts:

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2. Some good people have woken up, but still a lot of them are making lame excuses
3. Finally the harsh reality: Team Anna doesn’t know how to find good people
4. Anna, please teach good parenting instead of beating people with a belt
5. “Vote for Good Leaders” movement. A step in the right direction – but not yet there
6. Stop following Hazare or Ramdev like SHEEP. Become leaders. Become MPs. Change India
7. Many happy returns of the day to the Republic. Let’s remember Ambedkar today.
8. Independence came too cheaply to India, that’s why we have leaders who are undermining democracy
9. FTI leaders are plugging away in different corners of India
10. Is it time for the forces of good in India to come together on a minimum agenda?