All forms of government are only an illusion. It is what one accepts and is happy with, for whatever reasons. North Koreans know no other government so they are happy in the illusion that theirs is the best. The old Stalinists live with the illusion that the USSR was the best. Americans live with the illusion that their democracy is the best, and most Thais somehow do not really care one way or another as long as they are left alone to pursue their lives.
Life itself is an illusion, each one of us pursuing what we create to be our own idea of happiness and achievement. Our illusions remain with us from birth to death. Why change them or challenge them? Ask David Copperfield.
Buttercup
Cancer costs a lot
Re: "Is insurance needed?", (PostBag, June 11).
I would comment that I also stay in Thailand with no health insurance.
Earlier this year I was diagnosed with stomach cancer at an international hospital where I have received excellent treatment including two operations.
The extensive pre-operative tests, the operations and subsequent aftercare have come to around 3.5 million baht and increasing. Mr Bahrt's advice may well hold for small medical expenses but it certainly does not hold for an unexpected large expense such as in my case.
Paul
Anecdotal evidence
Re: "Sure beats me", (PostBag, June 10).
While I appreciate Grumpy's intentions in attempting to correct my understanding of the English language, let me assure him that the eminent authority Professor Google agrees with my understanding of the term "beating off".
To score a victory, in battle or otherwise, is to merely "beat", as in defeat. For example, "I beat him at chess." One would not say, "I beat him off at chess."
In any case, I am reminded of the often-told British anecdote about a conversation between two men in which one said, "Don't you know the Queen's English?" The other replied, "Yes, I believe she is."
R Debacleur
Risk of radical change
Yes, healthy debate is fine and wonderful, and, indeed healthy. It is not the debate that might seem in order, but the precarious changes that the Future Forward Party wants to bring about. Change needs to be done in increments so as "not to upset the apple cart".
Radical change can traumatise many people, and those advocating change have not yet explained what they want to change, or how they will do it. Except for free education from kindergarten to university, (who is going to pay for it?), and doing away with the draft in favour of a volunteer army, (good luck with finding volunteers), it has been all rhetoric.
To quote author Robert Ruark, "When we take away from a man his traditional way of life, his customs, his religion, we had better make certain to replace it with something of value."
As long as people are not personally bothered by who runs the government or how, as long as there is food on the table, as long as people have their mobiles, computers, jobs or other ways of earning sustenance, I know of few who care, or are bothered, or even want to think about change.
As a college grad said to me a few days ago, "Change? Why change anything? I'm happy the way things are". He speaks for a lot more people than himself.
449900
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