OPINION

Graft a 'human trait'

Re: "Defeating democracy," (PostBag, Jan 13). Felix Qui seems to believe that democracy is the solution to all problems of inequality and that once a democratically elected government is put in place corruption automatically vanishes.

Democracy does not stop at elections; in fact it is a small step to ensure that a government is elected by a majority vote. Good governance for the people is what makes a good government. What do you call a government with an inexperienced prime minister whose role is only to front for her brother who is a self-exiled criminal fugitive? As for corruption, it is unfortunately a human trait and exacerbated by a consumer- oriented society. In some democratic countries, corruption has been legalised under the name "corporate lobbying" and corrupt presidents are being rewarded for breaking their promises to those who voted for them by being paid astronomical fees for meaningless speeches.

So I wonder what Felix Qui means when he says that democracy is the surest antidote to corruption and that democracy was showing signs of taking solid root in Thailand. Rather the opposite, I should say.

Since the evolution and proliferation of the human species and its control of the world's natural order, one aspect of the human condition has predominated -- greed, in all its forms. Greed for power, greed for resources, greed and power over religious beliefs and institutions, greed for influence, greed for wealth, and so on. All are intertwined and, usually go hand in hand.

There is only one way to solve the world's problems today, before humanity regresses back to the stone age, which, on reflection, may not be a bad option for the environment anyway.

End avarice!

This is a seemingly impossible task in today's demanding societies for more and more, for equality and a decent, secure lifestyle, which is out of reach for most of the planet's population today.

Re: "Accusations of racism revived by comments", (BP, Jan 14).

Americans ought to be ashamed of President Donald Trump's behaviour. They should call for their leader to behave in a more civilised manner.

Mr Trump has lowered the bar of the dignified and professional deportment that Americans have shown to the world in the past -- which has been admired all along -- to the lowest level.

Indeed, all American citizens deserve better than this.

After Donald Trump's latest racist outburst in which he insulted Haiti and the entire continent of Africa, I wonder if PostBag contributor Michael Setter still believes there is "no evidence" Trump is a racist.

At this point I can only conclude that people who still support Trump are either quasi-Nazis or are in a state of incredible denial.

Has it ever occurred to people that getting rid of plastic bags is not a solution to the pollution problem? Most shopping bags are used for throwing out household garbage. Getting rid of them will only cause more garbage to find its way into unwanted places such as sides of roadways, waterways, out of car, bus and train windows, with more mounds of burning trash dotting the countryside and back yards in cities and towns.

The practical solution is to make biodegradable plastic bags mandatory, those bags with a short life cycle, that would deteriorate within a few weeks to a few months. The solution to one problem may only cause another problem. It is the old story of the cure being worse than the disease.

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