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Published on October 27, 2007

I suggest fixing a total budget for a given party to use in promoting itself and its candidates, allowing for differences in party size. Let each party decide freely how best to use that budget, including media and content, but subject to existing laws on defamation, etc.

Finances of all parties, and their candidates, must be rigorously audited by the Securities and Exchange Commission-approved auditor of their choice, under the same terms, conditions and penalties as a listed firm faces. After the election (and at the end of winning candidates' terms), all financial records of winning parties and candidates would be posted on the Internet. A party's candidates would be allowed to take office only after the financial records had been given a "clean" opinion by its auditor.

The EC should focus on giving each party the opportunity to educate and persuade voters about their policies and their ability to implement them, including extensive free air time for face-to-face debates - for that's what parties fear most, and which will educate voters the most. The major parties would face off against each other, and could be given more free airtime than smaller ones. Each party would be free to buy airtime as it saw fit, subject to time availability and the EC's overall budget restraints.

The EC should start with one of Steven Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: "Begin with the end (objective) in mind." Give us a fair election by an informed electorate.

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

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Let Aung San Suu Kyi attend the Games

The Olympics are about sport and countries coming together for a harmonious meeting time with great competition. So how can any country compete in Beijing under the current climate of China doing nothing to solve the situation for the Burmese. The Olympics will be an event held under the watch of leaders who tolerate and ignore the cruelty that is being inflicted on the people of Burma. There should be demands that the democratically elected leader of Burma be released from house arrest and be allowed to attend the Beijing Olympics.

Stuart

Darwin, Australia

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Poverty gap widens to obscene extremes

While millions around the world observed World Poverty Day, it is interesting to note that the Forbes billionaires list continues to grow in number, with a record 946 billionaires counted around the world just a few months ago. The combined value of the entire billionaires list rose by $900 billion to $3.5 trillion, with an average of $3.6 billion each.

Now here's a statistic you might have missed. The total wealth of the world's three richest individuals is greater than the combined gross domestic product of the 48 poorest countries - a quarter of all the world's states.

While the world produces more rich people, one of the most striking examples of injustice in the world is the grave imbalance in economic and material conditions. A relatively small percentage of humankind has immense wealth, while the majority of the world's population lives in dire poverty and misery. This imbalance exists both within nations and between nations.  Moreover, the gap that separates rich and poor continues to widen, which indicates that existing economic systems are incapable of restoring a just balance.  The benefits of growth are concentrated among the rich and the powerful political and business leaders and bypass those who most need it. In many countries the rich are growing wealthier much faster than the poor are climbing out of poverty. 

Extreme wealth and extreme poverty should be dealt with. The world of humanity is a composite body. When part of the organism suffers, the rest of the body will feel its consequences.

In addition, women also hold the key for eradicating poverty and attaining sustainable development. Failure of societies in investing in their women or providing equity has reduced their chances of eliminating poverty. Business and political leaders must rise to introduce drastic improvements in the empowerment of women through health reform, education and better rights, which, besides nurturing the next generation, will allow women to help nations rise above poverty. We cannot make poverty history until women enjoy their full social, cultural, economic and political rights.

Finally, according to a UN report, to satisfy all the world's sanitation and food requirements would cost only $13 billion, hardly as much as the people of the United States and the European Union spend each year on perfume.

Nat Yogachandra

Bangkok

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Best wishes and respect to HM the King

More than 60,000 loyal subjects have travelled to Siriraj Hospital to pay respectful homage and demonstrate their faithful devotion to their highly revered and universally admired king. All caring members of the global family join in wishing the benevolent monarch a speedy recovery prior to his 80th birthday celebration. Long Live His Majesty the King, Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest reigning and most morally exemplary monarch.

Charles Frederickson

Bangkok

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British Embassy: new visa application forms

With effect from 29 October 2007, all visa applicants applying for a visa/entry clearance to the United Kingdom should apply using the new application forms. These forms will be available from the British Embassy, local Visa Application Centres and from the Ukvisas' Website: www.ukvisas.gov.uk

The embassy has redesigned visa application forms to make them as simple as possible. This is in part aimed at maintaining and enhancing the UK's position as the destination of choice for our high value legitimate travellers in what is an increasingly competitive global market. The forms are written in plain English to make them as simple as possible for applicants to complete. The forms must be completed in English but there are step-by-step instructions, directing applicants to the next question and explaining how to complete each section. There are also comprehensive guidance notes with each form. This means we are less likely to ask applicants for more information or call them for interview.

The new forms will help UKvisas to identify high-risk applicants, which means we can also more confidently identify and welcome our low-risk, high-value customers - who play a vital role in boosting Britain's economy. There is a dedicated application form for each type of traveller. In total there are eight standard application forms and three forms for diplomats. UK Overseas Territories Visa Application Centres will continue to accept the old forms until November 9, 2007.

British Embassy

Bangkok

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