Imagine you have a relative who you love a lot and you know is brilliant. She can score straight As when she puts her mind to studies. She can be brilliant in sports when she goes regularly for practice sessions. Every now and then she shows these signs of brilliance. But on an average she's a laggard. She has far too many other diversions, shortcomings that keep her away from fulfilling her full potential. She's also had a troubled past that keeps her away from concentrating and being successful.
Would you be just content and happy that at least she shows some signs of brilliance and success at some times? Would you accept her explanation at face value that her troubled past does not let her achieve her potential?
Or, since you love her dearly, you'd make an effort to point out to her to other people around her who've had similar or worse pasts but yet have achieved great success with far less talent than her? Wouldn't you rather criticize her for her shortcomings even though it makes her mad so that she can achieve her place under the sun?
Now – if you are willing to do this for your loved one – why would you balk at doing the same for your country? Why would you want to keep explaining her shortcomings? Why would you blame her ethos of corruption and inefficiency on years of foreign rule? After all – as a race what happened to Jews in WW II was probably the worst that can happen to a race to sap their self-confidence, sense of dignity and will to excel. Yet, look at Israel today. In a total desert with no real natural resources they have created an oasis.
Our lack of civic sense, lack of honesty and lack of purpose is a reality. We can either address it and take our rightful place on the world stage, or keep harping on 300 years of colonial rule and 500 years of Muslim rule and be a perpetual laggard.
I rest my case!