Perhaps a democratic system of government will not prove the final answer for Myanmar. Just take a look at the Philippines if you're crazy about another possible "for sale" democracy in Asia. But considering what the good people of what used to be called Burma have had to endure — an intellectually decrepit military and economic dictatorship — you have to admit: It's time to try something else.
Certainly there is no reason for this expansive and verdant land to remain bogged down in the miasma of a Third World economy. Yes, it has had abysmal governance. But that can be changed. It has so much else going for it.
Now it has something else of value: U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's belief that the regime's recent loosening is a good first step in the inevitable direction of reform — and not a cruel feint to fake people into believing no further reform is required.