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I wanted to write about how president-elect Barrack Obama is taking ownership of the economy and the affairs of his country with such sensibility and confidence. We all want to be reminded that sometimes some things can be just right.

But the pictures of the vicious fights that broke out in the streets between anti-government protesters and anti-protest protesters and police officers; of the degrading and unjustified attacks on innocent officials and bystanders; of burning vehicles; of the closure of the airport that left thousands of bewildered travellers stranded; and of bombs that went off at random, pulled me back to the painful and dreadful home truth: there is no getaway, real or imagined.

Hopelessness turns into desolation; that turns into anger. I wanted to say to all parties involved in this endless and increasingly ferocious political chaos, enough is enough.

To the People's Alliance for Democracy, I want to say the country has heard you. You have made some valid points that deserve serious consideration. I have no doubt that many of you are true believers in the cause you are undertaking - to rid the country of the high crimes of rampant and shameless corruption and cronyism that have taken deeper root in our society than we dare to admit. These misdeeds will stymie our livelihood for years to come. I can grant you all of your grievances, but can any means justify all ends? Can breaking the law bring back the sanctity of the rule of law, which is at the heart of democracy? And without it, how can a society piece together the broken parts so it returns to some kind of order and peace? In pursuing your goals at any price, will you become the monsters that you say created your movement?

To the government, I want to say you may claim that you have the legitimacy to govern because you were democratically elected. The truth is, however, such legitimacy ended when you walked into the Government House and Parliament. Once there, your legitimacy derives from, and only from, your ability to govern well. How can you still say you have legitimacy when the Cabinet cannot be convened even in the makeshift offices at the old airport? How can you say that the two major branches of the government - the administration and the legislature are functional when they have to move around, run away from protesters and cannot carry out even simple tasks such as ratifying the negotiating authority needed by the Foreign Ministry to conduct and chair the upcoming Asean Ministerial Summit, whose venue, by the way, has been moved from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?

The global financial markets are melting down and ours is too. The difference is, the rest of the world is dealing with it. In Thailand, the lights are on but nobody is home.

And do you have anything better to say to the country except the old refrain that resigning and dissolving the House is not an option? How long do you think your rope-a-dope strategy will work? How can you even think it would work?

The government and a lot of other people are pointing fingers at the PAD for the country's slide into the political and economic abyss. But should the PAD be the only party to blame? Who is it that has the authority to govern and make policies that can steer the country out of troubled waters?

Upon taking the office, the prime minister and Cabinet members and elected officials took an oath to serve and protect the interests of the country and the people to the very best of their ability through the authority bestowed upon them. Honestly, has that oath been kept? If it is not, the legitimacy of the office holders is diminished. In the corporate world, if an employee cannot perform duties prescribed in the job description, the result is termination. Does our government need to bring in the Donald Trump of "The Apprentice" to say the famous knockout last words: "You are fired"?

To both the PAD and the government, I want to say you are both partners in crime. It takes two to tango, and it will take both parties to end this ill-starred dance. But end it you must. The fate of more than 60 million people is going down the toilet with you because of this fighting. It has done the country no good. Please do not tell us you know better; it is obvious that you do not. We have given you time, but that time is up. The country has been held hostage. We want it back. Give up the fight so the middle ground can be reached. It is an honourable thing to do. It is the right thing to do.

To all politicians, can you, for once in these difficult times, transcend party lines to help solve the country's intractable problems? Is it not the goal of serving the public good that is supposed to inspire your career?

For bureaucrats, I beg to remind you that you are tasked with public service; take heart in your responsibilities and duties. There should be no other affiliations that matter but the one with the public and its unbiased common interest. In order for the government to function, you must not take the sotto voce attitude and mutter into your chin about corrupt and ill-placed policies. How can you go about your business matter-of-factly in a world of mutually assured destruction like ours?

As for the rest of us, we all have a duty and responsibility to get the country back on track. Our hands should be given to any honest effort in rebuilding our house, and not to waving clapping hands and feet.

Meanwhile, aside from the exegesis, I want to share the story of King Solomon of the Old Testament, who sent his people out to find a ring that had appeared in his dream. That ring would change joy to sorrow and sorrow to joy, and then both would give way to equanimity. After a very long search, his people found it. The simple gold band had three Hebrew letters inscribed on it: "Gam zeh ya'avor" - this too shall pass.