Are Isaan Farmers 'poor'?

[Andrew Hicks]

I agree with everything in your last post 100% Kat. I think sometimes we see what is obviously a problem and want to help in someway (maybe naively, maybe self-motivated) so we try to cure the symptom and not the disease. Sometimes I think it is also beyond an individuals power to combat the true cause of the problem and so they do what they can in the immediate. Also you can only help people in a way they want to be helped. Few poor people will refuse money.

All interesting stuff! I've seen generous farang trying to set up their Thai family with capital or equipment to make them self-sufficiency and it so often comes to grief.

I met a senior teacher in Surin who spoke excellent English and told him about our "Adopt a Village School" project and how our plan was to give direct help to the children with a feeding programme, giving books etc. His response even at that level was to try not to create dependency, the urge for the free handout. It's something we'll have to think about.

Nonethless, I feel you can't go too far wrong feeding kids who are below the correct weight for their age and that this is the correct way to do something positive.

[Maigo6]

and if people are getting handouts, they have no reason to demand a better chance.

To get an example of that, go to any Social Security Office in UK.

The state of some of the people there is rather disturbing, yet they can still afford their Mobile phone, Cigarettes, cans of Special Brew and a bag of weed.

The Great British Taxpayers money at work.....

Edited September 7, 2007 by Maigo6

[Maigo6]

At the end of the day, I guess it all depends on the people themselves.

Same as in all countries there are people who will gamble and drink all their money away, then there are those that will not.

Shock horror!!!! Dare I say it on this forum, even Farangs have been known to gamble and drink away their entire wage packet.

We can all give examples, if they are true or not is another matter. This type of thread will attract the hoardes of Thai Bashers that for some reason cannot tear themselves away from the very country and people they continually put down.

As for the Village only rising and working when a Farang is in the Village, there are some of you who appear to believe this fantastic tale....amazing.

I would love to give some smug westerners a life of a poor Farmer in Isaan just for a year, you would of course start with no or very little money, no internet, no air con rooms to cool you when it is over 40C, 3 kids, 2 Rai of rice farm, and little else.....

See how you get on chaps.

You never know, a Farang may come to the village and want a house building, then you may get some work that would probably work out to 100 Baht a day, good luck boys.

Edited September 7, 2007 by Maigo6

[kat]

Yeah, there is no denying how rough and difficult it is to climb out of that scenario. And yet, there are tons of ordinary Thais who get on with their lives, and take care of themselves. I have a lot of admiration for street vendors and the other humble entrepreneurs in LOS.

The problem with Issan is that many of the women are migrating out to find "rich" husbands, and many of the younger sisters and daughters follow suit. I met a couple of Burmese girls from the camps who had the good fortune to meet young foreign boyfriends who then became young husbands. These girls almost immediately enrolled in University upon arrival into their new Western country. That is such a huge difference.

[siamamerican]

Thais are a product of their environment. Many posters are comparing Thai villagers unfairly to Farangs. We come from far more economically productive counties. Labor is utilized much more efficiently and there is a vast disparity in education.

Thai villagers as a whole have more idle time. Demand for their labor isn't as high as non third world countries. For example, my wifes family works hard during the planting season and is somewhat idle after its completion. They pick up low paying temp jobs if available and are motivated, during the dead time before the harvest. Many days they just relax for the most part. If they were in the west, many options would be available. Companies are always in need of temporary labor and the pay isn't that bad. Not the case in a Thai village.

We farangs are successful, but I don't think we would fare too much better if the circumstances were reversed. In the end, I'm just happy to have grown up in the west and I try to appreciate the challenges a Thai villager faces.

I agree with posters that feel handouts do more harm than good. I'm guilty to doing it to a limited extent. Most the money I give is for causes I feel are justifiable. My wife is as concerned as I am about the family becoming dependent on us. In this endeavor, we have failed. Her sister depends on us to pay for her children's education, her brother for doctor bills, and for the house they live in. I truly feel they are better off and the sisters kids have a little better chance at having a better life than their parents.

Edited September 7, 2007 by siamamerican

[geriatrickid]

The concern about dependency is valid. However, the feeding of schoolchildren is common in the West. The EU has programs in its poorer nations such as Romania. Canada and the USA offer subsidized breakfasts and lunches to impoverished children. Sometimes it's the only meal they get. It is one of the few proven cost effective programs that offers immediate tangible rewards and long term benefits.

One thing I do note is the constant criticism that the Thais are lazy and won't "move forward" compared to people such as the impoverished immigrants that left europe for the USA & Canada or the europeans themselves. The big difference is that the aforementioned countries had lots of resources and fertile land to exploit. Isan may grow rice, but growing conditions for other crops suck. There are no resources to exploit, save for a large unskilled workforce. Basically, it is an economic wasteland. What would benefit the area most is a sizeable population reduction. Scarce labour drives up wages. As well, fewer people crammed onto small land plots would reduce the resource drain.

And no I don't suggest eating the locals or a Chinese style sterilization program, but an Indian type population control plan would help.

[kat]

The concern about dependency is valid. However, the feeding of schoolchildren is common in the West. The EU has programs in its poorer nations such as Romania. Canada and the USA offer subsidized breakfasts and lunches to impoverished children. Sometimes it's the only meal they get. It is one of the few proven cost effective programs that offers immediate tangible rewards and long term benefits.

One thing I do note is the constant criticism that the Thais are lazy and won't "move forward" compared to people such as the impoverished immigrants that left europe for the USA & Canada or the europeans themselves. The big difference is that the aforementioned countries had lots of resources and fertile land to exploit. Isan may grow rice, but growing conditions for other crops suck. There are no resources to exploit, save for a large unskilled workforce. Basically, it is an economic wasteland. What would benefit the area most is a sizeable population reduction. Scarce labour drives up wages. As well, fewer people crammed onto small land plots would reduce the resource drain.

And no I don't suggest eating the locals or a Chinese style sterilization program, but an Indian type population control plan would help.

I support the subsidized lunches and supplies for impoverished children and students, in LOS and in Western countries.

I think moving ahead is just simply using the opportunities that you are given to inch a little further ahead.

[bina]

some of the quotes in all these threads remind me of lessons from anthropology 101: when in a field study, dont interfere, just observe...

but those that were in field studies in societies that were in dire need couldnt just sit back and watch;

1. what u perceive as laziness is a cultural perception: if a person gets clothing food, shelter one way or an other, what does it matter how he got it (in different cultures, 'sneakiness', good bargaining skills, 'combinas -i.e. how to milk the system, etc are considered skills, and the family gets what it considers its needs)

2.who are u to decide what someone else needs or wants (when the quakers went in to help poor people they were seen as do gooders and were exploited-- this twenty + yrs ago)

3.my father was one of the developers of several gov't programs that were meant to help 'motivate' young single mothers from poor areas to get in to the work circle (the Work INcentive program when HEW -a US gov/t agency- was still around ); several programs for the native americans--specifically the navajo, blackfoot, and lakota (indians to thsoe that dont know) that were meant to help the tribes use their govt budgets to the fullest to qualify for additional funding, yeah right! NOT. The navajo built a huge casino in their autonomy. His main comment comes to this: some groups stay in the circle of poverty no matter what u or any one else can do , and some groups (he sites the boat people that came over in 70's+) given a year manage to make it big.

4.no one in their right mind will work hard if he can do it or get it (money) the easier way

5.there has always been a difference between urban poor and rural poor in that until recently rural poor at least could grow their own food, etc. now of course, the line is blurring as there is less subsistence agriculture, the rural poor are ageing and the young are in the cities becoming urban poor.

6.do not place your values and morals (protestant work ethic or whatever u want ) on others

7.somebody cited in a different thread that he once sent presents to a thai kid he was 'sponsoring' and the presents werent with the kid when the guy came to visit and he was all offended. this is just cultural difference, again... i brought a suitcase of inexpensive gifts to my korat in laws, and although i had bought things specifically for individuals, the mother basically handed out gifts to all and sundry, everyone was happy, so what do i care. i dont see this as misuse of my generosity. i saw it as different and useful . it was a distribution of wealth!!!! in the future, these people may help out my MIL.

8.at this moment i am sending a packet of presents including school supples and also 'junk' since my daughter received on her bat mitzva more 'girl teenager' stuff the she knows what to do with-- stuffed animals, teddy bear pic frames, etc. i'm sure that not one soeng saeng child, even the poorest of them, will not enjoy some of these 'luxury' toys. so, if thy are poor, they should be only receiving food and clothes??? give me a break.

9.even poor people want luxuries and it is tiring to constantly weigh note book vs. icecream...

10.'hanging around in hammocks...' i agree that it is annoying to see someone hanging out and drinking when he could be working; on the other hand, some of this hanging out is in any agrarian society... during picking or planting seasons, u are working at back breaking work for 12+ hours so when u dont have to do this, than u hang out and rest. (my ex used to do this when he was working in the cotton... all the field guys, all winter when it rained, would play cards and it drove the rest of the kibbutz members crazy as we work all year round.)

11. many outsiders when hearing about kibbutz ask what we do about 'parasites' (those that dont work, but they still get their 'budget' every month, while the rest of us do our hours or more)... some 'parasites' function in the community even though they really dont pull they weight at work: they are active in our cultural events, committess, etc. so they still serve a function. others are just total write offs. so dont judge by what u SEE; the guy hanging out in the hammock may be super jaidee when someone needs help somewhere but u dont really know what goes on beneath the surface of your village.

my lecture for the month.

bina

israel

edit: oops, just noticed that siamamerca and geriatric pointed out similar things... redundancy....)

Edited September 7, 2007 by bina

[think_too_mut]

At the end of the day, I guess it all depends on the people themselves.

Same as in all countries there are people who will gamble and drink all their money away, then there are those that will not.

Where this wisom came from? I must note it down. What an isight!

As for the Village only rising and working when a Farang is in the Village, there are some of you who appear to believe this fantastic tale....amazing.

don't talk <deleted>. It's one family, not a village. I gave a picture of them, just look at it and tell if it is believable.

Edited September 7, 2007 by think_too_mut

[Neeranam]

Same as in all countries there are people who will gamble and drink all their money away, then there are those that will not.

Shock horror!!!! Dare I say it on this forum, even Farangs have been known to gamble and drink away their entire wage packet.

When gambling, remember someone has to win. It's not always bad.

When I was in the UK a couple of years ago, I saw a guy in the local minimart buy 4 cans of Tennants 'Blue Ocean' Super, a phone card and 2 lottery tickets and a copy of Penthouse.

In Australia two years ago, I saw a woman buy a carton of wine, 30 cigarettes and 10 lotto tickets .

In Khon Kaen, many people can't afford lottery tickets(which isn't gambling, but throwing money away) but can always afford their 'lao khao'.

Yesterday, I visited two farm girls in a rehab. who had gone to Pattaya to get their families out of debt. They were so disgusted about having to suck off farang whoremongers that they ended up addicted to heroin and alcohol.

They are very poor, end of story.

Edited September 7, 2007 by Neeranam

[kat]

some of the quotes in all these threads remind me of lessons from anthropology 101: when in a field study, dont interfere, just observe...

but those that were in field studies in societies that were in dire need couldnt just sit back and watch;

1. what u perceive as laziness is a cultural perception: if a person gets clothing food, shelter one way or an other, what does it matter how he got it (in different cultures, 'sneakiness', good bargaining skills, 'combinas -i.e. how to milk the system, etc are considered skills, and the family gets what it considers its needs)

2.who are u to decide what someone else needs or wants (when the quakers went in to help poor people they were seen as do goodersll and were exploited-- this twenty + yrs ago)

I agree that laziness is to some extent a cultureal perception, but of course it matters how people procure wealth, benefits, income, and status on their societies. It absolutely matters to the devleopment of that culture if the bulk of available opportunities for income generation is either selling your children, or forming predatory relationships to rip someone off, etc,

It absolutely matters to the development of culture and society.

2. I am no one to tell people what they need. Funding a school is already working with a self-selected population: those in school. So, you are not deciding.

* mistakes: I need to go to bed.

Edited September 7, 2007 by kat

[kat]

"Yesterday, I visited two farm girls in a rehab. who had gone to Pattaya to get their families out of debt. They were so disgusted about having to suck off farang whoremongers that they ended up addicted to heroin and alcohol.

They are very poor, end of story."

That's right; this matters.

[siamamerican]

At the end of the day, I guess it all depends on the people themselves.

Same as in all countries there are people who will gamble and drink all their money away, then there are those that will not.

Where this wisom came from? I must note it down. What an isight!

As for the Village only rising and working when a Farang is in the Village, there are some of you who appear to believe this fantastic tale....amazing.

don't talk <deleted>. It's one family, not a village. I gave a picture of them, just look at it and tell if it is believable.

Sh*t, this is my wifes family. I need to have a talk when she wakes up. She never mentioned a man from Holland.

Seriously, they do look happy. There are always those that take advantage of kindness. From your porch, you probably don't know the whole story. It might be worse than what you think and very well might be better.

[jts-khorat]

Thai villagers as a whole have more idle time.

If they were in the west, many options would be available.

That's the time one would fill with 'self-betterment' if one was serious to get forward.

[jts-khorat]

All interesting stuff! I've seen generous farang trying to set up their Thai family with capital or equipment to make them self-sufficiency and it so often comes to grief.

I do think that projects helping are good in general, if they are thought out well and do target groups that really have not much choice; eg children.

What is also extremely important is, if hand-outs are given, somebody is 'in place' to oversee that they are used as intended. Just sending money from overseas and by magic the right thing will happen is utterly naive. Being there for just a few days is not much better.

And buying the 'right' presents that would foster self-help is often very difficult; I do not know how many language learning books I have given away over the years and how many of them have come to rot in a dusty place -- but from the few that I know have been used, great progress has come (and in the end it is about the individual you give it to to make the change, nobody can be forced to better themselves if they do not really want to).

[think_too_mut]

Seriously, they do look happy. There are always those that take advantage of kindness. From your porch, you probably don't know the whole story. It might be worse than what you think and very well might be better.

Why would not they be happy? Except that alcohol made them age faster, they are all 5-6 younger than they appear.

About the whole story - these people have not moved an inch since their birth, everybody knows everything about everyone. 40m distance between the houses, same street, same market, school, hospital, life crisis ceremonies....leave little secrets over 50 years - that's when first generation settled and have been there since.

My wife went to school with 2 of them. If I asked and wanted to listen, she could talk days about them (as they could too).

[BADBRAD]

Seriously, they do look happy. There are always those that take advantage of kindness. From your porch, you probably don't know the whole story. It might be worse than what you think and very well might be better.

Why would not they be happy? Except that alcohol made them age faster, they are all 5-6 younger than they appear.

About the whole story - these people have not moved an inch since their birth, everybody knows everything about everyone. 40m distance between the houses, same street, same market, school, hospital, life crisis ceremonies....leave little secrets over 50 years - that's when first generation settled and have been there since.

My wife went to school with 2 of them. If I asked and wanted to listen, she could talk days about them (as they could too).

An argument could be made that if they are happy, then who are we to judge or to say that they should be "bettering themselves?"

Edit: typo

Edited September 7, 2007 by BADBRAD

[siamamerican]

This is going to be hard to articulate. Here in the US, much of the population receives handouts in one form or another.

By year end I'll have paid $65,000 in taxes. I'm subsidizing the welfare system I'll never use and paying far more than my share of the US infrastructure costs.

Many of the recipients of my hard earned dollars don't deserve a dime, but the majority will go to good use. Our tax system supports individuals without the means to better themselves, to receive and education and take advantage of other opportunities.

Thai villagers aren't afforded the same opportunities. Sure they can inch forward, but it is a tough road. Giving money to poor villagers with the hope they will improve their quality of life is really no different than upper classes in the US paying for services they will never use. In many cases the kindness is futile, but it's better than doing nothing if you have the resources. Unlike taxes, at least you determine the best use of the money and like taxes much will be wasted without some foresight.

Someday Thailand might accumulate the wealth that allows all Thais the opportunity of an education and financial success, but not today.

Edited September 7, 2007 by siamamerican

[bina]

kat

forming predatory relationships to rip someone off

in the west, those that work in advertising, tv, politics, whatever, work hard but its predatory, manipulative, sleazy often, it just looks cleaner thats all...

and in the west, those women that marry for money (my american side of the family has several of those, long island jewish princesses that made good (read: rich) matches which are now good divorces, and it was mostly all about money.

in my petting zoo, we employ teenagers in the summer months that are considered 'at risk' i.e. hostels, streets, dysfunctional homes, or extreme poverty. the idea is to teach them about work/money, good habits at the work place, following rules gaining skills, whatever. it is a govt subsidized program and the kids get paid... two kids were employed each week (with social worker, counsellor et al in the background)... out of 16 kids, only three actually put energy into the job and actively pursued the option of continuing on and i was proud to write references for their future employment... the rest, made money for a week and were lackluster workers, then went off to hang out or do whatever...several showed interest in finding alternative jobs, most felt that working was a waste of time unless they could make "really big bucks" fast. the program advisors comment: u can take a horse to water, show him it tastes good, but u cant make him drink...

maybe people here should find out what these families think or want.

i know that in my son's school children from certain moshavim (local agricultural towns) never seemed to progress at all in their achievement levels. it turns out that these family (from a certain ethnic and socioeconomic background) felt that it was only the teacher's job to educate the kids and provide enrichment. that was the way they were raised and they felt that was the proper way. they also felt that monetary achievement had to be shown off (thus large pickups, large houses, name brand clothes) even if the refrigerator was emtpy of most food and they had huge debts. daughters are expected to marry someone with means; money is to be earned any way u could (shady deals, combinot, whatever) but u would never ever see one of these people working in the building trade, or sides of roads, or garbage collectors... their agricultural life is all but gone, and the kids refuse to help anyway. they feel it is their right to get govt money for help; and to manipulate someone to get rich is alright also. their agricultural lifestyle is neither 'in' nor viable nowadays. the parents wore them selves out working chickens or fields or dairys and the kids want more, and fast. and are more willing to be devious about getting more faster. sound familiar???? not just issaan. (minus the lao khao of course; here its cigarettes, lottery, clothing)

only when issaan people will want to change will anything change; when issan professionals go back to where they came from and actively participate, only then will things change. in the mean time, farangs who want to give money to their family should do it willingly. if u dont want to, then dont! if the english books u gave collect dust, then give them a soccer ball or bicycle next time. set your own example, be a wise tutor/mentor and dont worry about everyone.

bina

[Maigo6]

Why would not they be happy?

Maybe you should ask them the secret of their happiness and try to take some inspiration, cos you appear to be so miserable and bitter, you need a few happy pills yourself, you even married a woman from this background, why?

Don't tell me........She's different.

[think_too_mut]

Why would not they be happy?

Maybe you should ask them the secret of their happiness and try to take some inspiration, cos you appear to be so miserable and bitter, you need a few happy pills yourself, you even married a woman from this background, why?

Don't tell me........She's different.

hehe, when you run out of worthless cliches, you resort to insults.

Hey, guys, thousands of us married girls from poor villages.

Do we have here a racist who says they are less worth? And ask you even married a woman from this background, why?

Do we have to explain to him?

A teacher (Thai lady) living on the other side has not inherited any streak from our common neighbours, why would my wife?

Edited September 7, 2007 by think_too_mut

[meemiathai]

Thai villagers as a whole have more idle time.

If they were in the west, many options would be available.

That's the time one would fill with 'self-betterment' if one was serious to get forward.

Can you explain a bit of this "self-betterment"? If it is anything that is workable I am sure I will tell my thai family to follow.

[Jersey_UK]

By year end I'll have paid $65,000 in taxes. I'm subsidizing the welfare system I'll never use and paying far more than my share of the US infrastructure costs.

You never know, but with a bit if luck your taxes may have got spent on something useful like a missile

Edited September 7, 2007 by Jersey_UK

[Texpat]

The OPs question is, "are issan farmers poor?"

Most would agree they are financially poor. Now the discussion has turned to "what then?"

It's no differnet than passing the limbless lady on Sukuhmvit with a puppy and a newborn and a dirty plastic KFC cup for collections. Do you drop her 10B or, as Johnny says, Keep Walkin?

The Bangkok dweller sees the same lady continously and becomes numb to her plight.

"<deleted> 'er, she's working for the mob and drives a BMW home from this overpass every night."

Or, "You only encourage their behavior by giving handouts."

Or "I can't solve the problem of poverty myself."

If you live in a village and see "poorness" everyday among farmers, you become similarly numb.

There are farmers in Namibia that are miles poorer than Issan farmers. Shouldn't we help them first?

Do you step in and help if it's your family or neighbors-- or not?

I usually say "not." Darwin had it right.

[jts-khorat]

Can you explain a bit of this "self-betterment"? If it is anything that is workable I am sure I will tell my thai family to follow.

Yes I could, for the tenth time.

But I think you would gain much more if you would just carefully re-read my previous posts in this thread -- it really is not that difficult reading a post before answering it on the quick!

You would then see that maybe I have been pretty much the only one who actually offered ideas.

Doing one thread a day in this fashion could then maybe your attempt at self-improvement as maybe this careful concentration on this simple task would improve your attention span that seems to be lacking sorely.

That my previously mentioned ideas are workable is proven by that I do know a good number of rural Thais who went down that route and do command now quite respectable salaries by comparison to the ones who staid back in the village.

[AA1]

I have just been reading through some of this discussion and to a certain extent feel that some of the replies miss what I feel is the most important point, maybe due to the Title.

There has been much discussion on "Are Isaan Farmers 'poor'?". I would say that this is fairly obvious to most of us who live in Isaan. More to the point is "Is there anything that we, Farang, can do to help reduce the poverty in Isaan?" albeit in a small way.

If there is a crisis anywhere in the world, the West is liable to just throw money or food at it. 'Yes" Some is needed in the short term but it does not solve the Long Term problem.

In Isaan, I am sure that most of us are happy to help the wife's family. It helps them but does NOT elleviate the problem - it just removes it short term by providing food, reducing debt or unfortunately, as various of you say, on lao khao.

What do I see as the main problems and can we help:-

1). The Climate - This results in only being able produce one rice crop a year instead of 2 or even 3 elsewhere so only about 1/2 the income per rai per year. Nothing we can do about this other than proving help for alternative crops (IF feasible on the farm).

2). Mechanisation. -

Ploughing with a buffalo in the past was a lengthy process. Now with Tuk Tuks (iron buffalo), get in a friend or two and it's all done in a day or 2.

Planting. In the past, rice was put in a seed bed and then hand planted in the paddy - now hand casting has taken over in the majority of fields that I see - resulting in lower yields!

Finally Harvesting. Previously all cut by hand now more and more each year is cut by harvesters.

Conclusion:- To make a living profit, farms MUST get bigger as more and more machine are employed using less and less labour is employed. Europe and I am sure elsewhere went through all this peaking probably just after the 2nd. World War. Farang (unless very rich) can probably do little to help Isaan farmers through this.

3). Education. In my wife's youth, many girls left school at 13 or so and were sent off to work as maids, in factories or even worse, to earn money to send some back to family to keep it going. This is an appauling waste of potential talent. As more and more families get driven off the land by the changes which are happening very fast, the education of the Isaan youth, both male & female, has become more and more important. This is something in which Farang CAN help with as even a little can make a lot of difference. I congratulate Andrew Hicks on the scheme he is trying to initiate and even if just a few children gain from it then this will have proved a great success. Education MUST be one (if not the only) way of helping to raising the standard of living in Issan.

Good luck, Andrew, and hope that others think about it too.

[Neeranam]

If you really want to help, get down to the local school and ofer your services free to teach them English - better than giving them money.

[AA1]

If you really want to help, get down to the local school and ofer your services free to teach them English - better than giving them money.

I agree with you.

Teaching English is something that most of us could do AND would cost us nothing.

Helping children have adequate text books etc. in all subjects does cost a little but is also important. When my children were at a small country primary school in England, the school had a very active P.T.A. (Parent/Teacher Association). The Headmaster made a list of things which would benefit the school for which he could not get government funding. If the parents agreed, then they would fund raise for these and as items got crossed off the list, the Headmaster added more to the bottom. He was no fool (which is why he became a headmaster)!! BUT our children benefitted. Near local Isaan schools, farang residents are usually amongst the richer members of the community so why not act as 'honorary' parents and help (if we do not already have children at the school)? The cost need not be large.

Any other suggestions?

[Maigo6]

You would then see that maybe I have been pretty much the only one who actually offered ideas.

So as a previous poster noticed, it's all about YOU.

I can see that now.

[jts-khorat]

You would then see that maybe I have been pretty much the only one who actually offered ideas.

So as a previous poster noticed, it's all about YOU.

I can see that now.

Ah, Maigo6, my dear friend, I am emotionally shattered because I have to disagree (again!) with your unsubstantiated and hasty claims. He did ask specifically me while being at the same time too lazy to simply hit the back button once.

So instead of attacking me, why are you not so good to help this poor soul to achieve this difficult task? Maybe some research into my old posts, summarizing them for clarity? Counter-displaying them with #your# suggestions on how to lighten the plight of the poor, that are, from my memory, so much more distinctive and productive?

You see, for me this is not so easy with my hands bound in a straight-jacket, but you shall have my permission to do so at your leisure...