By Winsley S. Nanka A fascinating characteristic of Liberian politicians is their ability to make costly mistakes. The pathetic state in which Liberians find themselves today is a direct result of the politicians' mistakes over the years. Interestingly, Harry A. Greaves, Jr admitted that it was a mistake for him and others to have helped sustained Charles McArthur Taylor.
Liberian politicians have a long history of making costly mistakes.
Their failure to think strategically has proven costly to Liberians. In 1952 Liberian politicians permitted William V.S. Tubman to amend the Liberian constitution to succeed himself for the third term after his eight- year term expired. It was the beginning of the death of 'settler democracy' in Liberia. William R. Tolbert, Jr. came to power in 1971 with the promise of an open political system, however, no sooner did he make that promise than the suppression of political activists begin. By 1985 one would have taught the new generation of Liberian politicians would have learned their lessons from the mistakes made by past politicians, but they did not.