Politics must begin with idea of public service | Bangkok Post: news

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Politics must begin with idea of public service

Published: 1 Mar 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

This Sunday Bangkokians will decide who they will entrust with the responsibility of running the city for the next four years. In this election campaign more than any in recent memory, Bangkok voters appear to be having a hard time deciding who should get the job.

City politics for years have been under the reign of the Democrat Party, but major poll results have indicated that this time around the party is facing the real possibility of losing their grip on City Hall.

Since the poll results started coming out, the Democrats have been in denial, insisting the polls were politically orchestrated to mislead the public. But as the election draws near, Thailand's oldest party has failed to counter the perception that its candidate is trailing.

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Eric
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Discussion 6 : 01 Mar 2013 at 12.126
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A noble suggestion but in reality, politics and public service are oxymoron. Most who are genuine into serving the public would not want to stain their image by going into politics. A good example is Khun Tan of Oshi fame. Likewise, politicians are there for themselves and as previous poster said, public service second. As for the coming election, demographic plays a big role. Old Demo faithfuls are slowly being outnumbered by younger immigrants from the provinces who has no legacy loyalty. Lastly, 2 years office is much to short for any meaningful plan and program.
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bandrew
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Discussion 5 : 01 Mar 2013 at 11.565
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The country needs honest, if possible Auditors in every Government office and Head Auditors auditing them.
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DrDave
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Discussion 4 : 01 Mar 2013 at 11.344
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It is difficult to achieve the goal of having politicians who are at the same time truly want to be public servants, that are responsible, and able (qualified in the broadest sense of the term) to do the job. Those who are rich enough to have the luxury of public service are at best free from the need to be responsive to their constituents because they don't need the job as a source of income and at worst are still greedy to exploit their position for personal gain or are on a power trip or both. Too many career politicians see political office merely as a way to gain access to financial "opportunities" for themselves and their kin.
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ringmaster
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Discussion 3 : 01 Mar 2013 at 07.273
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D2 Yes, politicians everywhere are self serving. Your idea has merit. I like the term limit part. Not too sure about "the entry requirements". Shouldn't anyone have the opportunity to run for office if he/she thinks they can perform best in office? Your idea on the pay for performance vote is good as well although the range (1X to 10X) may be a bit large.
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bkposter
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Discussion 2 : 01 Mar 2013 at 06.472
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RE: D1 even in the USA politicians are self serving first and public minded second. The two party system makes them dependent on the party, not the voter. There should be a system where by the government pays a small amount of the campaing for any candid candidate that can meet the entry requirements. and limit it to two terms and after two terms the people vote on how much to pay you.
one a scale. (1) you get x amount and if you are voted (10) you get 10 times x amount, but must get out of political office.
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ringmaster
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Discussion 1 : 01 Mar 2013 at 05.151
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Wasant makes a good point. Citizens should have a role to play in selecting their candidates of choice. I propose a primary election system like there is in the US. The solutions to problems arising in democracies is indubitably more democracy, not less.

On one point I disagree with Wasant. A political candidate should be someone who "wants" to dedicate at least part of his/her life to the public good.
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