Blog #9: Suu Kyi hits the campaign trail

A large country that borders Thailand is experiencing a renewal of hope in the political elections. This country has been under harsh military rule for fifty years. Now their democratic leader has been released from prison and is striking back. This country is now called Myanmar which is more popularly known as Burma. In 2010 the Military allowed elections to be held and the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), who is backed by the military, won with an aristocratic quality. Also in 2010 Myanmar's major reformer and democratic leader,  Aung San Suu Kyi, was released from house arrest. She has reunited with her old party the National League for Democracy (NLD) to run in this years elections. The USDP is attacking her with claims of illegal activity and argues that they are more concerned for the people. The interesting fact is that she is practicing illegal activities. In Myanmar it is against the constitution to hold group meetings of more than around five people and her rallies are bringing people by the thousands. 


It is amazing to hear about stories of triumph like Aung San Suu Kyi's. This country has been under harsh military rule and the citizens are not allowed to have freedoms of their own. From the point of view of a person looking in I can easily see the oppression the military has on its people. The interesting thing is that many of them do not realize their situation. Part of the reason is the USDP offers to many people free health care but that is more of a political tactic than it is concern for the people. The largest problem that Aung San Suu Kyi faces is not the USDP but after the elections. She will have to ensure the she can keep the promises she has made and keep the hearts of her followers. If she is to busy with the political side of being a politician than she risks losing her people and the country digressing back to the USDP. She is going to have to constantly remind the people of the new freedom that they have with democracy.  


http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/suu-kyi-hits-the-campaign-trail-7579429.html

http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/23/10824653-democracy-icon-aung-san-suu-kyi-hits-the-campaign-trail-in-myanmar