Record numbers go hungry in the US

ruggedtoast

I have been to Cambodia - I was incorrect about its communist status - its a constitutional monarchy.

Fully functioning democracy? Oh dear. I can appreciate you may well have rather right wing views as to what a democracy constitutes; but even so, Cambodia falls rather short.

Oh wait no I've just re-read the rest of your post - money and investment = democracy, human rights = irrelevant.

bendix

What does democracy mean for you?

Multiple parties with the freedom to campaign? Free votes for anyone over the age of majority? A free press? Lack of political violence on election day?

Insofar as they are democratic institutions, Cambodia has them. They are far from ideal, but show me any developing nation (or, indeed, developed nation - cf Singapore and pre-1997 Hong Kong) where they worked perfectly. In any developing nation, democratic ideals fall short of perfection.

But then again, the same thing happened in the US with Bush stealing the election first time round, didn't it.

Could you please point me to systematic abuse of human rights by Cambodia in recent years?

ruggedtoast

bendix wrote: »

What does democracy mean for you?

Multiple parties with the freedom to campaign? Free votes for anyone over the age of majority? A free press? Lack of political violence on election day?

Insofar as they are democratic institutions, Cambodia has them. They are far from ideal, but show me any developing nation (or, indeed, developed nation - cf Singapore and pre-1997 Hong Kong) where they worked perfectly. In any developing nation, democratic ideals fall short of perfection.

But then again, the same thing happened in the US with Bush stealing the election first time round, didn't it.

Could you please point me to systematic abuse of human rights by Cambodia in recent years?

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=cambodia+human+rights+violations

bendix

ruggedtoast wrote: »

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=cambodia+human+rights+violations

Are you for real? If anything, the links here show that given its history and its economic status, Cambodia is a shiny beacon of human rights compared to others. One could type in US human rights, UK human rights and get just as many hits.

Votes bought? Go to any other country in the region - particularly across the mountains into the far more advanced Thailand. Police corruption? Come and talk to the Metropolitan Police down here in London.

Cambodia has some serious problems but they are general developmental problems and I can categorically state that under the current political model it is growing and developing at a much better rate - with more individual freedoms - than any other country I can think of.

It's not perfect, but it is not the communist hell-hole you seem to be to trying to suggest earlier.

When were you there last?

Anyway, this thread is not about Cambodia, but there is a certain relevance here.

30 years ago it was ravaged by a brutal authoritarian dictatorship, established - bizarrely - on the pseudo-utopian principles espoused by you and ninky. All men are equal. No classes. Everyone working collectively for the good of all.

Of course, such a system was fundamentally against human nature, and it led to brutality, genocides and millions of deaths from hunger and executions of those who opposed the vision - nice work, benevolent leaders.

In the last ten years it has rid itself of any lingering links to those times and accepted free market enterprise, competition and foreign investment. And the result? Flat screen tvs in the shops (I've seen them), kids scrambling for university places to better their lives and those of their families, people setting up small business, services improving, cars on the streets and - in short - a raising in the living standards and quality of life of everyone.

Funny that, huh?

ruggedtoast

I dont really see how any of this relates to the post I made earlier - which was actually in reply to Generali.

I appreciate we differ concerning our perceptions of Cambodia - lets just leave it at that.

bendix

ruggedtoast wrote: »

I dont really see how any of this relates to the post I made earlier - which was actually in reply to Generali.

I appreciate we differ concerning our perceptions of Cambodia - lets just leave it at that.

It is very relevant.

There are two periods of modern Cambodian history. The period under which attempts were made to build a utopian society, and a period under which free market capitalism and individual endeavour was given a try.

Guess which the Khmer people like better? And guess which has led to a rise in living standards and quality of life for the general population?

ruggedtoast

bendix wrote: »

It is very relevant.

There are two periods of modern Cambodian history. The period under which attempts were made to build a utopian society, and a period under which free market capitalism and individual endeavour was given a try.

Guess which the Khmer people like better? And guess which has led to a rise in living standards and quality of life for the general population?

You're going round in circles - I've already explained why I don't think the Khmer Rouge created any kind of coherent government, nor have I advocated communism anyway.

I dont see why I should have to keep writing the same things just because you can't be bothered / arent able to read them the first time.

bendix

ruggedtoast wrote: »

You're going round in circles - I've already explained why I don't think the Khmer Rouge created any kind of coherent government, nor have I advocated communism anyway.

I dont see why I should have to keep writing the same things just because you can't be bothered / arent able to read them the first time.

Really?

This is your explanation?


"After a totally failed policy of oppression, industrial deconstruction and agrarian ineptitude they eventually ran out of people to kill and gave in."

ruggedtoast . . you're an intellectual titan. I bow to your superior understanding.

ruggedtoast

bendix wrote: »

Really?

This is your explanation?


"After a totally failed policy of oppression, industrial deconstruction and agrarian ineptitude they eventually ran out of people to kill and gave in."

ruggedtoast . . you're an intellectual titan. I bow to your superior understanding.

I'm glad you approve.