On A Road To Nowhere With Self-Serving MPs: Thai Editorial

[webfact]

EDITORIAL

On a road to nowhere with self-serving MPs

The Nation

Politicians disappointing us at a time of great economic uncertainty

BANGKOK: -- Over the past few weeks, the performance of Thai MPs, in both government and opposition parties, has been disappointing - even at a time when voters may want them most.

While voters are suffering from rising costs of living as well as uncertainties from external factors such as the debt crisis in Europe, which could explode and sink the global economy, Thai politicians have not done their jobs to help people prepare for the possible crisis.

Instead, they have heightened up the political temperature by trying to push for their political agenda regardless of the consequences. Some have engaged in childish acts in the parliament.

During this difficult time, these politicians should instead have acted as exemplary models to show voters that it was possible to solve any issue in a decent and civilised manner. But they did not.

Over the past few weeks, many crises have loomed across the nation. The Bank of Thailand, for instance, has warned Thais that the impact from the European debt crisis may be larger than the initial forecast because the problem is unlikely to be fixed any time soon. In the meanwhile, disappointing economic data in the US as well as economic slowdown in China do nothing to help enhance consumers' confidence. Thai consumers are meanwhile struggling with the rising costs of living, day in and day out. This is not to mention the arrival of seasonal flooding, which already happened in some provinces.

Amid these concerns, the politicians from both sides have failed to calm voters' nerves. None have led a discussion on how the country should be prepared for economic impacts. On the contrary, some of our MPs are engaged in brawls in the House or exchanging catchy words to push their agenda without trying to fulfil the expectations that voters have had with them.

Otherwise, they set a higher priority on their own agenda instead of considering what voters want, which is quite simple, that is a good economy or a supportive business environment that they can thrive on. Some politicians may have taken things for granted, assuming they could easily satisfy voters with hand-outs. But that isn't always the case.

Of course, politicians often reflect the characteristics of their supporters. Voters want people whom they can feel comfortable with or people whom they can identify with. Sometimes, MPs like to use catchy phases to entertain their supporters but they should have done more to upgrade the level of discussion for the benefit of their people.

For instance, other countries are debating the options for economic policies such as what the proper tax collection rate should be, or what should the proper level of welfare benefits be, that won't create too many burdens on the state in the future. Thai politicians are still engaging in tit-for-tat exchanges. They did not rise above the voters, even though they should have done so, given their privileges in society.

Even in China, the people at the top understand well that power alone cannot help them maintain their positions, unless people enjoy economic well-being. This is because economic well-being matters the most to people.

Instead of urging people to be aware of changing economic environment, many Thai politicians are still engaging in routine political bickering without any solutions for voters.

Their supporters may be entertained by political sound bites. But after the people are directly affected by economic woes, voters may no longer be amused easily. Then, the social capital of these politicians could run out mighty fast.

-- The Nation 2012-06-11

[somtumlion]

They're all idiots - have been for a long time. Not going to change in the near future.

[northernboy]

It might be suggested, that those "other countries" politicians, are in fact the very same people who have created the "disappointing economic data in the US as well as economic slowdown in China "! Clearly they are more refined and gentile than their Thai counterparts, as they can conceal better their personal agendas. It is apparent to any wise and clear thinking individual that they too have their own agendas and financial backers to answer to.They are as perhaps as short sighted and non public oriented as their Thai counterparts you seem so quick to belittle and condemn, but clearly more dangerous due to their power and influence.

I might as well ask about the elephant in the room, what have the western politicians done to "calm voters' nerves"? Because it is clear they do little to calm any nerves. They seek benefit for theirs and they agendas from the fear they create. It is clear that most all in power got elected on election on promises. They do not keep their promises when power is theirs. Just check the score cards of any elected officials to dis prove that comment if you dare. Unless of course their personal agenda or party agenda (read as finical backers) is met by keeping an election promise. Otherwise, they are just that, an election promises that are expected to delayed or forgotten because of "new world order". Only a fool or dreamer would believe otherwise.

Sorry That is the way this educated cynic sees it, without his rose coloured glasses on.

[peterpop]

It might be suggested, that those "other countries" politicians, are in fact the very same people who have created the "disappointing economic data in the US as well as economic slowdown in China "! Clearly they are more refined and gentile than their Thai counterparts, as they can conceal better their personal agendas. It is apparent to any wise and clear thinking individual that they too have their own agendas and financial backers to answer to.They are as perhaps as short sighted and non public oriented as their Thai counterparts you seem so quick to belittle and condemn, but clearly more dangerous due to their power and influence.

I might as well ask about the elephant in the room, what have the western politicians done to "calm voters' nerves"? Because it is clear they do little to calm any nerves. They seek benefit for theirs and they agendas from the fear they create. It is clear that most all in power got elected on election on promises. They do not keep their promises when power is theirs. Just check the score cards of any elected officials to dis prove that comment if you dare. Unless of course their personal agenda or party agenda (read as finical backers) is met by keeping an election promise. Otherwise, they are just that, an election promises that are expected to delayed or forgotten because of "new world order". Only a fool or dreamer would believe otherwise.

Sorry That is the way this educated cynic sees it, without his rose coloured glasses on.

Well said and a pleasat change from the Thaksin bashing shallow thinkers who mostly inhabit this forum.

Politicians are self promoting above all else. I am surprised the medical profession has not created a special term for these candidates in the Autistic Spectrum. But we choose to live here and life is very pleasant for me.

[belg]

politics, in every country comes only to this : how to fill their pockets the fastest way, hey, they only there for a few years and the pockets are wide and deep

self serving b*stards, where ever you go, go corruptioco

[Suradit69]

politics, in every country comes only to this : how to fill their pockets the fastest way, hey, they only there for a few years and the pockets are wide and deep

self serving b*stards, where ever you go, go corruptioco

Yes. The European mess was caused by politicians who were only interested in their own future and voters who were either blind to what was happening or incredibly stupid to think there were no consequences to spending more money than was available and accumulating mountains of debt. It's sad to see what's happening to Greece, Portugal, Spain and other countries, but it wasn't caused by some malevolent foreign force. The whole concept of the Eurozone was obviously not well thought-out beyond assuming that the good times would continue forever.

The same applies to the US where Republicans and Democrats used to work together at least some of the time, but now all either do is whatever best lines their own pockets and obstructs the other party and the majority of voters seem content to keep feeding the divisiveness by electing the most combative and ideologically radical "representatives," all of whom are content to spend the country into oblivion.

In the Middle East those in power will stop at nothing to remain in power no matter how many people die in the process.

Just about everywhere in the world the political status quo seems to be so entrenched that neither peaceful elections nor violent revolution brings about much improvement.

[gand]

Is that not Thainess?

[JohnAllan]

". . . without trying to fulfil the expectations that voters have had with them."

But for most people, that is precisely what the majority of MPs ARE doing!

[SOTIRIOS]

....now with more floods upon us already.....one can only guess that it will get worse before it gets better....

....where is the planning.....or the funding......for anything besides the 'tablets'.........

(And on the other hand, you have the headline that:

Few qualms over corruption

BANGKOK: -- A significant number of people in their twenties believe a corrupt government is acceptable provided they stand to gain personally from such a government, according an Abac poll released yesterday.

....well get ready to repair your homes again....what will you gain, especially if the big investors and manufacturers decide to leave this time...

....one would worry that we are headed for a '3rd world nation' status....

[dru2]

Is that not Thainess?

But is says on the home page of the other paper's online edition that 'Farang cannot understand Thainess'...

[Pseudolus]

how to understand elite Thainess is easy. Think of a Farang. Remove logic, accountability and reason. Bingo.

[gand]

how to understand elite Thainess is easy. Think of a Farang. Remove logic, accountability and reason. Bingo.

Receptionist: "How do you write women so well?"

Melvin Udall: "I think of a man, and I take away reason and accountability."

'As Good as It Gets' (1997)

[bigbamboo]

They're all idiots - have been for a long time. Not going to change in the near future.

The evidence would seem to support your statement.

The problem with Thai politicians is that you can count the number who actually go into politics to serve their country on one hand. Most are unqualified to be in the political arena and are only in it for themselves.

Until that changes nothing will change.

Edited June 11, 2012 by bigbamboo

[maidu]

The Nation article makes some good points, but it's too focused on the idea that economics is the most important facet of a society. Economics has its importance, but (to me) at least as important is a clean healthy environment, a challenging education system, and true equality for all Thais. On those added topics, Thai bureaucrats are also asleep at the wheel.

[MikeOboe57]

It might be suggested, that those "other countries" politicians, are in fact the very same people who have created the "disappointing economic data in the US as well as economic slowdown in China "! Clearly they are more refined and gentile than their Thai counterparts, as they can conceal better their personal agendas. It is apparent to any wise and clear thinking individual that they too have their own agendas and financial backers to answer to.They are as perhaps as short sighted and non public oriented as their Thai counterparts you seem so quick to belittle and condemn, but clearly more dangerous due to their power and influence.

I might as well ask about the elephant in the room, what have the western politicians done to "calm voters' nerves"? Because it is clear they do little to calm any nerves. They seek benefit for theirs and they agendas from the fear they create. It is clear that most all in power got elected on election on promises. They do not keep their promises when power is theirs. Just check the score cards of any elected officials to dis prove that comment if you dare. Unless of course their personal agenda or party agenda (read as finical backers) is met by keeping an election promise. Otherwise, they are just that, an election promises that are expected to delayed or forgotten because of "new world order". Only a fool or dreamer would believe otherwise.

Sorry That is the way this educated cynic sees it, without his rose coloured glasses on.

Well said and a pleasat change from the Thaksin bashing shallow thinkers who mostly inhabit this forum.

Politicians are self promoting above all else. I am surprised the medical profession has not created a special term for these candidates in the Autistic Spectrum. But we choose to live here and life is very pleasant for me.

Shallow thinkers don't bash Thaksin, they praise him.