Perot For Nepal

By now, I've aquired at least a conversational fluency in Nepali politics. But one thing that still feels uncomfortable about the politics here (uncomfortable is not quite the word I want, but whatever) is that I really can't say what party I would join if I were Nepali. The Maoists, are, well, even aside from the whole "Maoism" thing, a bunch of whining malcontents. But they're a major reason why Nepal is now a democracy. The Nepali Congress, despite being nominally Democratic Socialist, and for greater trade and economic liberalization, is socially and culturally conservative, unbelievably corrupt and shockingly incompetent (think Tammany Hall if Tammany Hall were run by Michael Scott*). The UML, despite it's communist leanings, is probably closest to a real democratic socialist party here, but has never been successful in actually getting real changes made or in organizing the government. The Madhesi parties are regional, and their big issue is something I have no stake in whatsoever.

I'm also deeply ambivalent about leaving. I miss a lot of things**, (and some people) from home, and certain parts of Nepali life have become really annoying (see e.g. rickshaw drivers). There's a lot I'll miss about here too, and a lot I could still do and see if I were here longer.

*Michael Scott from the Office, not the cheating pitcher on the 1986 Houston Astros.
**Like drinking tap water.