In this world, there are some people who love the way they are and some feel dissatisfied with the way and where they were born. I was one of those people, well, perhaps a small bunch of people who regret being a national of a troublesome country. There is an important fact to be aware of: We cannot control where to be born. As one can claim, if the ability to control that happened, we would then protest against something that gives us life, nature. Uncontrollably and automatically natural processing…
It would be senseless to talk about unfulfilled wants of everything everybody desires since people want this or that non-stop. It might be useful to pick up a little of the story to analyze.
Frustrated by everything that has happened to the country itself, I’m certain many Cambodians can’t stand what is happening to the border and the inner management of the country. Cambodia is mired by corruption and poverty, does it sound quite hopeless to help?
Almost every day, you get up to possibility of rackets or noise of people labouring near your house or on the streets trying to make some cents while many other people sleep in though it’s just Monday. You can always see the big obvious gap in front of you with naked eyes. You can almost stumble when you are informed there are more poor residents than the rich here in Cambodia and the rich “plow their paddy fields through farmers’ backs.”
All I want is that the gap between the rich and the poor is narrowed down. I don’t want to go into details as to which one I want the most. There can be the richest or the poorest, but the most preferred one is always the middle class: bourgeoisie.
This is a very thoughtful blog. I am often curious how some young Khmer feel about their disposition in society.I am often curious as to how the educated youth reconcile their knowledge (ethics, truths, conflict theories, etc.) with a seemingly helpless situation.
There are some that have “Khmer pride” but questions arise as to whether it is just “blind nationalism” and there are the few that admit to feelings of wishing to be part of a prosperous nation. As I was sitting in my U.S. Social Policy class last week, I was struck by how reflective industrial era U.S. was to current social and economic conditions in Cambodia. The lesson from that era was that change came about in a very SLOW process. There was always a tug of war with the mega-rich capitalists and the working class (mostly immigrants from Europe and Asia).For the US, it was not the poor that had their voices heard,and it wasn’t the rich that wanted to do good deeds. Rather, it was the middle-class men and women who lived among the poor and worked at the grass root level to bring about social change. I reiterate that it was a gradual change.Cambodian people, especially the youth need to be empowered and realize this challenge is an opportunity to right the wrongs of the past. They are the future leaders,and there will be a day,I pray, that good leadership steps up and work for the people and not themselves. We need quality politicians,judges, lawyers, doctors,teachers, etc. But it all starts with education and opening minds to a whole new set of ideas apart from nepotism, corruption, greed, and violence. I think with your inquistive mind and intelligence, you’d be a great leader.- Yi
Thanks, Yi, for your comments. There is always black cloud before a fair day. We don’t want history to repeat itself and you were right saying that we the next generation/youth will be able to make change.
I’m also curious to see how it will slowly work out…
Thanks
I hope that one day we’ll hear this similar statement from our leader too: “I’ve decided to quit—it’s time for someone else to take a turn,” Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda of Japan announced his resignation last month. We do not hear this very often, but what a great statement from a great leader.
Now, let’s ask each youth who often comes to visit this great blog (one change) what he would do if he were given power to change.
I will start first. I would dismantle the media meaning that all TV and radio stations would be privately or publicly owned, not government owned for they are to be fare and balanced.
Yi, I would……
Kounila, I would…
Hi Yi,
Haha.. I would enforce a law that says goods like gas/cigarrettes/tobacco must be paid tax on… (while now the tax money goes into the officials’ pockets)…
… I would increase the salary of teachers, which then can better the quality of education here.
Sorry.. I want to change a lot of things here…so I ask for a privilege to have two!
K.Knila
Indeed,providing a living and competitive wage for educators is essential in shaping future minds.
Mass media has a huge influence over people.It reaches thousands of families and is an important source of information. Furthermore, it can be an enabler and a tool to alleviate many of the social transgression. For example, programs (movies, TV shows,documentaries) on social issues such as domestic violence, HIV/AIDS,ethics,public health, and economy can be addressed through the medium of mass media. In many countries, culture is often shaped by what we see on TV and movies. Thus it would be great if officials can use the power of media to address these social woes and making people think twice about deviant behaviors.
Taxing citizen is a way of generating revenue and contributing to the good of the community or nation. As mentioned, with the continued corruption activity, it’s best not to tax the people at this point in time. But there will be a time when taxes are a wise idea.
Many people want to lead, but few really have the competence, the passion, the intelligence, and the heart to lead with moral, ethical principles which can make Cambodia, the jewel it once was. -Yi
Great post, really enjoy reading this…:)
good article to read
K.nila;
Good article indeed and I can feel the sense of your frustration in this article.
Border issue is an act of agression by other party and issue has been dealt with [but not to the level that people would want to see – put a completely stop to the agressor once for all], and it will be there until all border demarcation works are completed.
Gap between the rich and poor will be always an issue for any undevelopped countries where is lacking of resources needed [physical and financial] to narrow it completely.
Certain Australians are caught in drought restrive country sides, the US economic meltdown, rising in fuel, foods and accommodation cost, and there are actually waiting for generous hand-out by charity [this is unthinable in dvelopped country].
Just let you know that I have a personal website – http://www.bctor.com. feel free to drop by if you have time.
I loved your topic.
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