Putting Autocrats Out to Pasture

Charles Wolf Jr.’s suggestion (Editorial Pages, Feb. 9) for putting autocrats out to pasture by providing incentives similar to those available to the more traditional heads of state compels earnest consideration.

Let’s dispose of the possibility that the motivation for autocrats to leave their sinecures may be hurried by the benign counsel of the pragmatists within the great powers, such as our CIA or its Soviet equivalent, as typified by recent incidents in Yemen or Haiti. Wolf’s recommendation of gentle persuasion could include other incentives in addition to those he suggests. Two occur to me, offhand.

1--Hollywood. What an attractive opportunity for the autocrat who prefers to be meaningfully productive. The unabating audience interest in films of the Rambo genre suggests a ripe field for exploitation of the same theme on a less parochial plane. The Philippine election must have sparked hundreds of screen treatments and I’ll bet Ferdinand Marcos has barely reached past the top of his bag of tricks.

2--There appears to be some historical evidence that the autocrat’s job description includes a special talent for discreetly organizing his “golden parachute” while in power, facilitated by liberal grants from congenial nations or loans from U.S. banks that are unhampered by conventional inventory or fiscal controls once they land.

Moving to a congenial environment such as Orange County or Miami would provide an excellent opportunity to engage in a fresh career in real estate or franchise operations.

Or, should their energies have flagged after years of autocrating, many investment plans are advertised in the financial media. Assuming their depredations over the years were modest, say $25 million or so, they could enjoy an annual income of about $2 million, free of federal or state taxes. No sales charge and free checking privileges. Jimmy Carter’s $165,000 (stipend and perks) wouldn’t fill their petty cash boxes.

I.R. STERN

Sherman Oaks