Get involved or suffer the consequences

FRIDAY, AUGUST 09, 2013
Get involved or suffer the consequences

Now, as before, the common man and woman must become informed and involved in the issues of the day if democracy is to realise its full potential, for, as Charles de Gaulle said, "Politics is too serious a matter to be left to the politicians". And, as Th

We cannot trust our elected leaders, since neither side wants to negotiate in good faith. Look at the amnesty bill. The alleged reason for the bill is to reconcile us – yet the Cabinet knows full well that vast parts of society are bitterly opposed to it, hence its invoking of the Internal Security Act. How can a bill so divisive achieve reconciliation?
For the opposition’s part, Suthep Taugsuban said that, if the bill passes, the Democrats would encourage people to “vent their anger against the government”, saying the military and police must stand by the people because the government would lose its legitimacy to run the country. That’s malarkey. The administration was elected in a relatively free and fair election, and remains legitimate until unseated at the ballot box. 
Dear reader, become informed, seek to understand both sides, and force your elected leaders to look to your interests first, not theirs.
Burin Kantabutra
Bangkok