Lao citizens report while unemployment is high and many Lao government workers go without pay, Vietnamese have been brought into the country and hold key positions, particularly in the construction trades.  These Vietnamese workers appear to be well paid and are exempt from local taxes imposed on the Lao populace.

Others site high taxes, oppressive actions, and corruption in the higher levels of government as the reason for the internal unrest.  Laos is one of the poorest countries of the world with its citizens having an annual income of less than $400 US.  They are taxed as much as 50% of their property.  (One man stated, "If you have two bundles of fire wood they take one.  If you have two cows they take one.")  At the same time many government officials own fleets of expensive cars and live lavishly.  A visible contrast to those trying to subside on meager incomes.

Citizens that sided with the Pathet Lao during the takeover of Laos report the promises made them in the late 70's have never been kept.  They believe the country is worse off under the communist regime.

Dissidence is not tolerated, due judicial process is often denied, and the country's prison system has one of the worlds worst records of human rights.     

In 1975 the Pathet Lao and North Vietnamese vowed to eliminate "to the root" those pro-democracy forces that fought for the United States Secret War in Laos.  Today they have almost succeeded in carrying out that retribution.  Thousands have died at the hands of the Pathet Lao and Vietnamese armies.  The people in the jungle have been crying out for help.  No one seems to have been listening.  Without intervention all those hiding in the jungle, including women and children, will be killed by the communist forces.  For them it is better "to die today, than to die tomorrow."