Prayut the right man to oversee the transitionto democracy

l The founders were intensely concerned with public virtue and corruption
l The virtues possessed by the people – and particularly their leaders – would determine the country’s future. George Washington was anxious to receive no salary as president, in order to make clear that he had no material self-interest in the position
l In 1776, Adams said: “We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other.”
Has today’s lack of virtue degraded and dishonoured the democracy of America’s founding fathers? The same question could be asked for Thailand.
Is lack of virtue behind the failure of Thai democracy as evidenced by attempts to buy votes, avoid paying tax, taking the lives of innocents as in Tak Bai and in the war on drugs, turning dictatorial or being just too meek and weak to crack some eggs to make the omelet?
Prayut seems to be the only man who has integrity and is strong enough to stand the heat from those on both sides who have misused “Thai Democracy” for years. Self-serving sharks, schooled for years on how to fast track to wealth are more than ready to grab power again.
Now it’s all about getting a safe and “charlatan-free” transition to democracy. Prayut must not loosen his grip, even if it takes years and democracy comes step by step, as has been the case in all functioning democracies, and not the unrealistic all-at-once democracy the charlatans want it.
A Johnsen