PRESIDENT Zardari was not off the mark when he extolled the virtues of democracy and the benefits it brings to a nation. The agreement on the NFC Award is certainly a major success for the political rulers and shows how democratically elected leaders can take bold decisions in keeping with the wishes of the people. However, the Presidents self-praise was, to say the least, not only excessive but off the mark. Unfortunately, beyond the NFC Award which was a cooperative effort of all the main political players, his government has not delivered to the people on any front. Instead, the economy is worse than ever; law and order continues to deteriorate at an alarming rate as terrorism spreads its evil across the country; the economic plight of the average citizen is nearing crisis point with utilities and basic foods threatening to already go beyond their reach. There is not only no good governance, there seems to be no governance at all. Meanwhile, corruption and nepotism have grown on a gargantuan scale so that there seems to be no room left for due process or merit - and certainly not for any accountability of the rulers. Add to this the institutional decay that seems to have become endemic in most state institutions, barring the higher judiciary which stands out in complete contrast not least because of the peoples movement for an independent judiciary, and there is little room for the leadership to pat itself on the back. In fact, the present leadership has undermined the office of the Presidency itself by effectively turning it into a party office where party meetings are held on a regular basis. So much so that the Presidency is coming to be associated more as the PPPs headquarters than the seat of the Head of State. So, a little humility on the part of the President would have been more welcome and more in tune with the suffering of the people. Instead, he has been indulging in a most undemocratic fashion in propagating his own excellence - with the emphasis being on the I word. Take for instance his claim that he was serving humanity by being President: apart from the pomposity of the claim itself, it immediately brings to the fore the question, which humanity since the nation does not presently see itself well-served as it struggles to make ends meet. Even on the issue of democracy itself the President has yet to deliver in terms of the constitutional amendments that would restore the democratic balance according to the original 1973 Constitution; although he continues to inform the nation that they will hear good news on this count by the end of this month. Until he does deliver, and until his government can deliver on good governance, stability and security, it would be less painful for the nation if the leadership was more circumspect in touting its achievements.