Living Without a Vote Under Corruption and Censorship

My native country, Australia, and adoptive home, the USA, are ranked amongst the least corrupt, freest democracies on earth.

Yet, along with tens of thousands of Aussies and Americans I live in a Southeast Asian country which ranks lower than Swaziland on the world corruption index.

Here the press and its Internet are censored. The government imprisons people who speak negatively about the head of state. I am not permitted any input into the running of the country. I can never hope to be given a vote. And even if I could vote it would likely count for nothing. The ruling class here routinely depose and assassinate democratically elected officials and their supporters.

What's it like to live in such an oppressive hellhole?

The quality of life here is markedly higher than either of the 'free' countries. The people are much happier and their lives much richer. Sure, they're annoyed that the elite won't give up power. But they don't let that get in the way of happiness and fun.

I much prefer living in 'corrupt' Thailand.

Am I a masochist? Or is our media directing our attention to irrelevancies?

Is it distracting us from the fact that our own 'human rights' offences are just as bad as – or worse than – China's?

Stay tuned.