60 years and what do you get?

It's 60 years since independence today. 60. Six-Oh. In Thailand, 60 is a big thing. It means that you have, astrologically at least, been through everything that life can throw at you. Everywhere else in the world, it's mandatory retirement time.

What have we got for 60 years of independence? We've got a civil war. We've got an economy in the shitter. We've got a succession of government, each more corrupt than the last. We've got a brain drain the size of Niagara Falls. We're number 11 in the World Suicide Carts, We're 94 out of 179 in the Least Corrupt Countries ranking (tied with such greats as Tanzania, Panama and Madagascar), and some people claim that we're number one in the Alcohol Consumption list.

We actually had it good under the Brits. I mean sure, we didn't have independence, sure we were second-class citizens in our own country. But, dammit, we had it good. English was the common language of education. We could travel anywhere under the aegis of the British Government. We could go to schools in such places as Oxford and Cambridge (and many of us did). We had infrastructure development, we had the Brits planning a Garden City in Colombo and other places. Sure we had to stand up and sing God Save the Quoeen/King but at least no one killed themselves over the damned words to the natonal anthem.

Ask anyone, life was good those days.

Look at us now. We're completely ass-raped by the politicians. We pay 50 bucks for a fucken loaf of bread while they pay 150 bucks for a three course buffet in parliament. We work our asses off and go home by bus while The Beast's son drives an mother-fucking DB9. They get a 500 million USD loan that they skim off to their numbered accounts and we have to pay off.

I remember hearing something a long time ago. A British colony refused independence. They took one look at the way things were, and the way things would be, and decided No thank you. I could be wrong. It could just be wishful thinking. But I do wonder. Would the fathers of our independence have pushed so hard for it if they knew what the future would bring? Would they have done it if they saw the corruption, the thousands dead, the way that the people are manipulated by those who are supposed to serve us? I mean really. In a cost-benefit analysis, are we really better off?

Yes, I am aware that the UK is a welfare state, with upto 40% taxation. I am aware that there are cameras on every street corner. I am aware that they have people who are unemployed and loving it. But they are actually fighting against having ID cards, something we take for granted. Even with the scandals they are facing, they have a much lower perceived corruption level than we do. They have infrastructure. They have a media that is not tied down by the ruling elite. They have 24 hour alcohol, and they're legalising pot. A British passport will automatically get you into just about any country. They have to be doing well, so many of the best of our country are going there.

So here's the deal. Let's start a petition to repeal independence. Let's ask the Brits to please take us back. We've had our independence, and we don't want it no more.