Not too long ago we see in the newspapers that 41 Malaysians go bust every day, and that it is the fault of these individuals because they do not know how to budget. Parents do not know how to properly educate their children to the difficulties of making money. Children thought money need not be made, rather given every month by some Santa Clause. Yea right as if these kids are that stupid.

It is easy for certain authorities to point the fingers at irresponsible and uneducated group of people for their inability to live within their means and fall prey to material temptation. I'm sorry but we are no longer in the 80s. Our country's education ststem has always been bad, but not because the authorities didn't know how to copy a successful system. They didn't want to breed smart-asses who'd question their crooked ways. Sadly in the midst of it they forgot to educate themselves.

So I will tell you now that it's not entirely your fault you are bankrupt and your kids understand that you need to work for money. The following are reasons why you are poor and struggling, possibly even more sensible than those provided by some newspapers.

Insane Cost Of Living
About a month ago I met a friend of my dad's. He is almost 60, and is driving for a rich Dato. He told me that he came down to KL in 1984, which was one year after I was born. His first job was as a Pizza Hut delivery boy, and his salary was RM 750 a month. Then I drove pass a Dominoes Pizza outlet one day, and saw a job offer for a delivery boy paying RM 800 a month.

How is it possible that in the span of 27 years the salary of a pizza delivery boy only risen RM 50? Don't try the bulshit Zero Inflation. Tun Mahathir's naiviety showed us it is impossible. I'm sorry I had to use that description on one of the most respected leaders, but everyone even remotely exposed to Economics will know it is impossible to achieve Zero Inflation in a democracy.

I have forgotten how to calculate the value of RM 750 in today's money, but I bet it's kinda what most degree-holders will be making at their second jobs today. More, maybe.

We don't need special convenient stores selling crap at lower prices. We need all the dirty hands off our economy, and be allowed to function like it's supposed to.

Market-less
First you don't get paid enough because the economy hasn't been funtioning properly since 1984 (at least). Then we need to buy crappy non-nationally made national cars for ridiculous prices. Then our local banks charge mad interest rates because the cash rates given to them by Bank Negara is mad. Then we can't opt for public transportation because the authorities replaced the only funtioning bus company, Bas Mini (which arrives every 10 minutes) to completely incompetent consolidates that keep going bust because they can't ever seem to arrive on time (45 minute gaps). Then they blame car users for clogging up the roads and causing delays, and allowed the cops to issue summons for people not carpooling to work and back.

Uneven Distribution of Wealth
I'm not talking about which kind of individual gets what, I'm referring to issues far bigger here. So far KL has been the only city of attention, from major developments like all the failed Rail Systems, KL Sentral, Mid Valley, KLCC and KLIA. It's nice and all, but then where will fresh graduates from all over the country go looking for jobs? Where would kampung folks head to when looking for opportunities? This refers to hundreds of thousands of people who migrate to the Klang Valley every year. Then has there ever been enough proper housing to cater for this mass? Have houses in the Kland Valley ever been affordable to the average Malaysian who also needs a car because the public transportation systems is hopeless?

The more important question remains Why Can't They Develop Penang or Ipoh or Johor Baru too? Why must KL be the only city worth investing in? What about KK and Kuching and Miri? Proper distribution of the country's wealth will definitely be able to spread the nation's population and expertise more effectively.

Foreign Direct Intervention
Bad enough we Malaysians don't get enough job opportunities, they have to almost make flesh trading among neighboring countries a free-trade. Then in they come from god-knows what war or poverty-torn country, fighting for jobs that were meant for us. Result? Walk into Chinatown at Petaling Street now and see for yourselves. They work for a couple of years, bring home what puny amounts of pay we give, and buy a piece of land and build a bungalow. And we are left with renting a low-cost walk-up.

Seriously we don't need foreign labor to take our jobs. Yes they are cheaper and they are more hardworking and they whine less than we do, but that is only because they are an option. Remove that option and what's left to do is coming to terms with employing whiny, lazy and expensive Malaysians. But at least the money is being circulated within the economy.

Thinner Skin
If the proper authorities used the people's money wisely, the Multiplier Effect will ensure the country is a whole lot more prosperous than it is now. But sadly these selfish individuals chose to fill their own pockets instead. And very stupid at that because they can't do it without letting the whole world know.

Parents, continue to send your kids to those piano and taekwondo classes only you love. They know you work very hard for the money, and that it is difficult to pay for that 5 Series and that million-ringgit Semi-D. Because these are all necessary. One cannot live with crappy local cars and simple 3-room link houses. That would be an insult to your family. Your kids will grow up as a poor family. You can't have that. You absolutely need that Bimmer and that land. And your wife needs that ten thousand Ringgit LV bag too. I'm sure the credit card companies understand, it's the government's fault not yours.