I wonder if the politicians in Hong Kong are aware that they have become the laughing stock of the international community.
A frequent visitor to Hong Kong from the US, I have been observing the gyrations of the local leadership with ever-increasing amusement.
The obsession with the budget deficit and the half-baked solutions that are being proposed would make wonderful material for a Chinese 'Doonesbury'. The pinnacle of the absurd was reached recently when the Liberal Party, in all seriousness, proposed to reduce the budget deficit by taxing foreign maids $500 a month. This is Third-World political ingenuity at its best.
To an outsider it appears that Hong Kong is at an impasse from which there is no exit under the current leadership.
Monopolies, backroom politics and welfare for the rich have combined to bring the chickens home to roost. What appears to be needed is new leadership with a realistic and altruistic vision for the future of Hong Kong. Decisions affecting the life of the region must be based on what is beneficial for the majority of the people and not just for a select oligarchy.
But, of course, the absence of democracy will ensure that the current gallery of comedians will continue to amuse those of us fortunate enough not to be affected by their follies. For lack of genuine humour which, not surprisingly, is totally lacking in Hong Kong we will continue to enjoy the involuntary one provided by the government, alas, at the expense of the residents of Hong Kong.