State of the world
Climate change and pollution are now international problems, having the potential to destroy the economies of a country.
The war with Russia and Ukraine has impeded its exports of wheat and other products to the world, which also has raised the price of oil.
When gasoline and diesel fuels rise in cost, everything has to be more expensive (and yet I don't know of anybody who has received more money at work!).
We already had enough problems in the world before this war --including poor leadership, corruption, and economic problems.
How come we do not have the best leaders in office? Even in those countries where we have democracies and honest voting?
The truth is that the type of people who are willing to fight their way up to top government positions are unusually aggressive people, highly motivated to obtain status, power and economic benefit.
The honest, capable, kind and well-adjusted person has little motivation to be at the center of controversy at the helm of top public positions.
Few happy well-rounded people are motivated enough to overcome the obstacles and dangers of leadership in order to help society to be a better place. These leaders exist of course, but are rare.
As to the war in Ukraine, Russian President Putin will sacrifice any number of his citizens to try to win the war. He is a heartless dictator. The only way to stop him is to defeat him (or the Russian military does a coup).
Should Russia be allowed to invade another country successfully, it will give permission for other bully countries (such as China) to also be aggressive and expand their territories.
In a way, Ukraine is actually fighting to preserve all the democracies.
China's Xi Jinping secured a third term as leader of the Communist Party. Some countries have a two-term limit. The Philippines has just one six-year term.
What do you think is best?
Richard Baker
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