We got accustomed to use the word traitor loosely. This has to stop. Not everyone who differs with our point of view, our vote, our plan for the future of Egypt or our religious belief is a traitor.

A traitor is a person who acts willfully against the best interests of Egypt and deliberately intends to hurt the country.

Every one of us has the right to express one’s opinion. It may not represent the point of view of others, or even the prevailing one. Such an opinion may stem from a firm belief or a practical solution to a complex and unsolvable problem. All views have to be respected, listened to and carefully evaluated. The American Constitution defines treason (article 3, section 3) to “consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort”. True democracy demands justice and equality for all, including the peaceful freedom of expression. In other words criticism or disagreement is not treason. The goal must be noble and the means to achieve a certain end must not be devious. As an example if one accepts one’s version of a muddy issue in order to prevent the bloodshed of the innocent; this cannot and should not be considered treason, even if it is contrary to another caring citizen’s belief.

In a country in which rumors are rampant, it is easy to be skeptical about anything said or written. For example, Hosni Mubarak died, was brain dead, maintained on life support, taken off the ventilator, was making a tremendous recovery, is walking unassisted and only slipped on the bathroom floor were the official declarations in one day. How can one believe what one hears anymore? Also, in a country where ignorance is rampant and illiteracy is widespread, especially among women, how can one expect that intentions are always translated into valid votes? The recent presidential election in Egypt, by any standard, was much freer than the previous ones that were botched and doctored to produce certain desired predetermined results. One might ask: was this recent Egyptian Presidential perfect: the answer is “of course not”. I am reminded of the American election of 1999 between Bush and Gore, in which many votes were cast in favor of Pat Buchanan but were wrongly listed in George W Bush column, and in which the American Supreme Judicial Court had to intervene to prevent a perpetual impasse.

We have to learn to work together to the betterment of Egypt. It is never enough to be against something or someone; it is much more difficult to plan for a brighter future for Egypt and act based upon the realistic assessment of the current situation in Egypt while the country is plagued by demonstrations in which every group demands something before the pie is baked.

Currently, Egyptian economy is bleeding and the reserves which amounted to 65 billion dollars are almost depleted and the country is heading toward bankruptcy. Chaos prevails in all aspects of life; there is less security, the police does not want to act, traffic problems are escalating, garbage is everywhere in the streets and there is no stability or certainty about the future in sight. Tourism decreased substantially, foreign investments came to a halt, businesses are suffering and the basic needs of life are becoming more scarce, unavailable for the masses or more expensive for the able few.

If you add to this list the litany of existing issues that need immediate attention, which are many and range from real political reform, better education, fair delivery of health-care, enhanced safety, better transportation, upholding treaties for peace and trade and an environment that is not plagued by corruption, bureaucracy and inefficiency. Egypt will not be able to survive like this.

In the current environment further deterioration is guaranteed and poverty will become rampant. The question that begs itself is “do we need another Syria on steroids”? Or do we need a long period of stability during which all of these reforms that tackle the many issues facing Egypt need to be put on the path of true democracy and genuine repair. The remaining question is how to achieve that goal under these very difficult and uncertain circumstances?

The answer will never be easy, but we have to avoid blood baths or the revolt of the poor by any possible means. Calling others, who do not share our views “traitors”, should never be one of them.

Dr Lotfy Basta is Professor of Medicine at The University of California, San Francisco, MD ,FRCP, FRCPE, FACP, FACC, FCCP, FAHA.