when I think instability in Southeast Asia, I will usually think Indonesia, or the Philippines. but Thailand and Malaysia have almost monopolised the political headlines since 2007. that's not to qualify that the Indonesian democracy is more strengthened. that's just to say Southeast Asia has a very different breed of democracy (so different "democracy" may not be an accurate description).

and when we think political instability, we think adverse impact on FDI and economic growth. but contemporary accounts beg otherwise: Japan has not seen a prime minister complete his office term since Koizumi. closer to home, the face of the Thai premier has been changing so fast it's kind of pointless to send over congratulatory notes. the stable Vietnam still trails behind anyway.

let's also look at the US dollars and the yen. we'd expect their values to nosedive in this gravest financial crisis of all time (no I don't think the 1929 Great Depression should be comparable as we weren't as globalised then). fact is, we're going to have to pay more to holiday in the States or Japan for the time to come. wary investors have no better alternatives to hedge their money in to guard against any further uncertainty.

i've also saved the best for last: Obama and McCain can't really change. so what if Obama is from a very different background from the Washington elites and so what if McCain "always put [his] country first?" they are essentially from the same old parties that have wrecked financial and military havoc on America and the world. alright let's say despite that, they really want to change. but could they, when Obama has received almost US$200 million from contributors for his campaign, and McCain a "modest" US$60 million? it takes just a little sensibility to understand that neither Obama nor McCain can go against the corporatocracy very much.

"Permit me to issue and control the money of a nation and I care not who writes its laws." not very relevant, but that shows the extent that Obama and McCain can or cannot change. well if American wants a real change, they should go for one of those hundred officially announced 2008 presidential candidates. I doubt they could though, since they hardly know beyond the O and the M, and maybe Ralph Nader and Robert Barr. it's like a mockery of American politics. but hey, it's true.