what the #*$)(#@$#@ is happening in HK?????????

hong kong is going crazy. ok - i can accept the july 1 massive demo, and even the subsequent one the following wed on the day of legco's vote on article 23. but, to maintain a vigil last nite (fri nite), and then to organize another rally on sunday???? i mean, c'mon! this is the major problem of what's going on. still - hong kong'ers do not know the meaning of democracy. there is NO REAL democracy in the world, other than india, and under that rule, they're approaching 30 years of stagnation. rule by alliances (like HK is headed), also do NOT work for the betterment of the populace. india can never decide what to do, cause all the alliances are forced to appease their own constituents and therefore no major decision can be made or implemented. that is what democracy really is. empowerment to the people you say? i say.... what???? how dumb is that idea? would i trust decisions to any joe-blow monkey on the street? what about 500,000 of them???? you would have to be extremely naive (or just plain dumb) to believe that even half of those people knew exactly what they were marching for. fact is - that's what government is... what legislature is... it's implied that as a populace, we just cannot allow the masses to dictate policy and procedure. not only would nothing get done, but it would be inevitable that power struggle would ensue and in the end, you have a government that works not for the good of the people, but rather for the good of saving his/her own seat in power. just look at the 'greatest democracy in the world' - america.

the precedent being set in hk has already been manifest in some developing nations as they attempt to implement a 'democracy'. it's a dangerous precedent where the people, thinking now that they have some kind of 'power', can just take to the streets whenever they disapprove of government actions, and in turn, demand resignation of the head of state. higher educated people will contend that that is not so - but they almost certainly are viewing from an all too egocentric (and predictable) perspective. The common person (like the majority of the 500,000 that day) will start to think that they can effect change - that ultimately, 'they' are in charge of what should be rule in hk. this scenario outcome is not likely to materialize, but the possibility is there. even the vaunted democrates - like james tien - are apt to change views in light of the situation. it's well documented that at the handover time, he was a bandwagon follower for the person in power - then when that power shifted (people power), he also moved sides. now he's like some kinda hero... whatever... anyone who thinks his act was selfless and self-abasing is just a product of the media hype. all the democratic party has ever done in and for hk is to play the devil's advocate to the tung regime (i'm in NO WAY a tung-supportist!)... that's great and all - but what we need is constructivism. if democrats EVER get into the big seat - they'd find that they would need much more than words and public support to implement some serious changes.

just consider japan PM koizumi. when he came in - man, he was hailed as some savior. he was regarded as japan's new youngblood generation, reform minded and defiant to the old keiretsu practices of the establishment. that was what, like 4-5 years ago? what has happened? yep, absolutely nothing. he found that all his reform plans, which rested on the shoulders of an overhaul of the banking system, has gone nowhere near his promise. the same goes for hk. the hk people have been blindsided by the popular press (SCMP, and ALL local pubs) - that the measure of tung's effectiveness is solely on the people. i agree that he has not been the best leader. he has not even come close to a good leader. however - the job is so immensely difficult, as you rely so much on china for your mere existence, but yet, you stuggle with a population that rejects any ties to them. so while it is easy to criticize - how would you do things differently? and if you can't even lay down some simple answers, which most of the people in hk are implying the solution is just that simple, then shut up!! maybe when i hear some of the democrats come out with solutions then i'll pay attention to them. it's so easy to pontificate, especially when you're some momentum riding, self-serving, public do-gooder with a soapbox and loudspeaker. it's another to take the reigns and assume total responsibility for all your actions and words.

that's it..... i'm just venting.... me? i have some ideas of what might be good for hk. we need good, clean business leaders (like my boss?) - anson chan-like peoples, that truly love hong kong, but yet realize the importance of mainland ties. someone that has the rapport with the people, and not afraid to flaunt it. keep donald tsang - that guy is good and well respected in the global finance circles, but fire antony leung and make a public denouncement that we the gov't and people do not tolerate that kind of overt dishonesty and abuse of power. allow this art 23 thing to ride itself out - but better educate the people (i.e. - the PRESS) about what the bill means, what other nations use it, is hk's version diff?,... to build up credibility of the government. no need to rush it - but it starts a process that gains trust, and over time as this process is repeated a couple times, once you have trust, you don't need to approach the monkeys. in other words, manage the expectations of the people - put out simple laws to the public, stuff the people would be sure to approve. start to build on the finances/economy of hk. money talks. when people make money in hk, they'll be happy (unfortunate as that may sound)... but that will also once again make hk the shining star of asia pac. how to do this? first start with the markets - keep transparency in the stock exchange, and keep it independent! control the quality that goes on the main board. this gives investors confidence! maybe start up consultant arms to the mainland.... the key of hk is it's brainpower, and the main need in china is good management... start to export the hk ideals to the motherland, and start to develop that rapport. a dependence on hk will be created, thereby releasing hk from china's iron hand. there is yet hope for hk....