I think this famous Kuwaiti saying summarizes many things about our politics and life in general.

For u none Arabic speaking (or writing) people, the saying اقضب مينونك لا اييك اللي اين منه is loosely translated as ’stick to ur crazy person instead of risking getting a crazier one!’

The 88% win for Husni Mubarak in the Egyptian elections last week is one example. I’m sure the vote is not very honest or accurate, but he wouldve won anyway even if it was! And he isnt getting it for improving the Egyptian econony, or creating a better Egypt, or anything positive. He probably stole more money, along with his son, that the country can afford! Still, he has been there for a long time, and that saying applied because he has already run the country dry and made enough money, and probably wont need to do that any more, unlike any new person who will probably be looking for new ways to make the most of is time as president. اقضب مينونك لا اييك اللي اين منه

The same applies to many other places! Look at the gulf area, how good has the Saudi leadership been to their citizens? Not much, right? The country that should be the richest in the world has a population that earns less per person than all other gulf countries except Oman! But what is the alternative? An even more Islamic force is the only other option, yet if an election is done, the Saudi leaders will still probably remain in charge. Same applies to all gulf countries, if given a choice, the people will vote for the royal families in all the states only bcz they know what to expect. اقضب مينونك لا اييك اللي اين منه

I just think its a funny saying, and an excuse for things to remain the same, a way to cover our fear from change.