It would be nice if former president Ramos made a clear and positive declaration to our people whether he still supports Gloria Arroyo or not.
He has to stop titillating the public with his on-again off-again support for her. It’s been going on for too long.
It’s simply not fair. He already has the public confused with his equivocation, must he also befuddle them with mixed metaphors?
“But as chief executive and commander-in-chief, she (Arroyo) must perform with greater agility and skill than the ordinary circus juggler, whose feet are on the ground…The President still on the high-wire may be riding a bicycle, while still balancing the critical issues whose number may increase because of outside forces. That is how difficult and complex it is to be in the hot seat or pressure cooker called Malacañang.”
Maybe that’s why Mrs. Arroyo can’t decide whether to ram charter change through, run for Congress, or declare a state of national emergency. She’s also bewildered.
By the way, why doesn’t Gloria Arroyo run for senator?
If she tops the winners, it would prove to everyone that people actually like her. But more than that, she would be walking her talk.
“We have a vision. We would like the Philippines to be on the verge of the First World in 20 years. What I hope is we would be able to work on the things that are needed to reach the First World in 20 years…”
Unfortunately, Senate President Enrile says she can’t run for any other office.
“I don’t think constitutionally she can do it, to run without forfeiting her seat as President…She cannot toy around with this position as if you are a governor, a mayor, a councilor, a barangay captain…Now, if she will run to become an emperor, that’s an entirely different matter. That’s a higher post.”
An emperor? Hmmm…does that mean a sex change before charter change?
But seriously, a monarchy may not be such a bad idea considering that the biggest problem with representative government, be it presidential or parliamentary, is the lack of a fail-safe against crooked officials dipping their sticky fingers into taxpayers’ money.
In a monarchy, a ruler has no compulsion to steal because tax revenues are his personal property. So, if Gloria were to become empress instead of president or premier, would she steal what already belongs to her?
Instead of obsessing over how to steal, Empress Gloria will focus all her attention and energies into collecting taxes and preventing those taxes from being stolen from her.
She will not allow anybody to evade or avoid taxes. She will not let BIR or Customs officials take a bite off her cake. She will monitor very closely every other source of government revenue, from cedulas to God knows what, to make sure she gets every single centavo due her.
She will not tolerate rigged bids, kickbacks, unnecessary projects, over-priced projects, ghost projects, double-insertions, and other leakages. There will be no wastage in infrastructure and public services spending.
Honesty, discipline, and professionalism will prevail because a monarch will not put up with any mishaps from those dealing directly with her subjects. She knows a breakdown in public services will cause dissatisfaction. And that can lead to unrest and unrest to revolution.
Furthermore, there will be political stability. Hereditary succession will ensure an orderly transition of power. Everyone will know ahead of time “apres Gloria, le Crown Prince Mikey.” So everyone will have ample time to build an ark.
A monarchy takes the load off the people’s shoulders. They will not be blamed for electing the wrong leader. As George Carlin quipped many years ago, “I don’t think we should be governing ourselves. What we need is a king, and every now and then if the king’s not doing a good job, we kill him.”
Thus, politics, under any guise, is ultimately a numbers game. The greater number gets to swing the axe. And so, at the end of the day, although a monarchy may not be democratic in form, it is in substance.
Popularity: 1% [?]
We will apply for Knighthood also. Prince Consort Mike Arroyo, Sr.
Her children shall become Prince and Princess. Maybe Bolante shall
become the Court Jester, together with Celso de los Angeles. Erap shall become the Dark Knight. Ms. Fajardo, etc…shall be Maid in Waiting.
We shall live happily ever after. Empire of the Philippines. Follow
the Yellow Brick Road…We find the Wizard of Oz.
Gloria has Royal Lineage. So she can indeed be our Queen. But she can also be a Henry or Elizabeth Tudor, and chop off all the heads of those involved in extramarital affairs.
Tax cheats, Erap Estrada and other pesky enemies can be arraigned under the Bill of Attainder and be burned at the stake.
No one can invoke the Constitution. The Sovereign is the Constitution! Her subjects can only invoke her as the Fount of Mercy and Justice.
Meddling clerics can be racked and quartered. The CBCP will be forced to accept Her as Supreme Head of the Church!
BTW I will be sitting in the Lords. LOL!
Bahala si gloria at mga indios sa kanilang monarchy.
Basta, the sultanates and the royal houses of the moros are very much intact and the bloodlines are fully documented in the tarsila – no re-imagining needed.
another one of buencamino’s master handiwork. conjure up his own fantasy as a means to demonize his principal character, then presenting as proven facts figments of his own imagination, in the process.
Works for me.
Joe
i don’t think you count, man.
Your thinking is oft suspect, so I don’t mind.
Joe
Bencard,
You can’t follow the logic that a pickpocket won’t pick her own pocket?
Manuel,
Would this blog be the kind that can see the light of print in your newspaper, or still not?
Just want to know.
Primer,
it’s in today’s issue of Business Mirror. My paper appreciates satire.
The Tabako fumes, but as usual he merely chews on his cigar — now, if he lights up, mebbe he’ll stop titillating the nation too. Whatever, I still like FVR (and besides Ming was the coolest First Lady ever).
The Pinoy nation needs its own version of monarchy — the head of state and the head of government must be in separate persons, holding separate and distinct powers.
Poor Gloria, how could she really keep her wits about her? When you are de-facto Queen and Prime Minister rolled into one in a failing state such as Pinas, you’ve got to amuse yourself. That’s why she goes traipsing around the globe apparently to shop for “investments”. It’s her own version of retail therapy.
Pinoy monarchy is late by 300 years.
Well, there’s always a beginning, how does one justify the “royal lineage” of a mongrel :lol:
She’s supposed to be descended from Rajah Lakandula if I recall my Agoncillo correctly.
she might be a descendant, but if we go by the Rajah’s lineage –
by tradition, only first born males, of parents who are both of royal lineage, are numero uno in the pecking order.
moreover, her ancestors have intermarried with commoners for so long – her pedigree is way down low in the totem pole – a mutt :lol:
Naah, BongV, of course a “monarchy” in the manner of kings of queens isn’t what I meant! LOL. Ano yan Ferdie and Imeldific Part II? — that was a delusional part of our history, but the Apo had a dream to unite the Pinoy nation, at least that should be credited to him. He failed miserably of course.
What I was driving at was that I think we need the head of state in a separate person from the head of government. The head of state would be concerned with unifying the country by instituting cultural and political cohesiveness, among the various ethno-linguistic groups around the country. Of course he should be elected, via the popular vote. And he would still be called a Pangulo or President.
The head of government or prime minister, should be mainly concerned with running the bureaucracy of the government in the most efficient and cleanest way possible.
Just my two cents.
But still no to Con-Ass! Yes to a ConCon!
Madonna,
Great line! – “That’s why she goes traipsing around the globe apparently to shop for “investments”. It’s her own version of retail therapy.”
why does it matter if FVR supports her or not (or is clear either which way)?
GabbyO,
As far as I’m concerned, FVR matters not. But media plays along with him and pretends he actually matters. So I want him to play his hand. The public will see he really has no hand to play. He has no power base left. Then maybe media can move on to covering more important matters like Ruffa, Anabelle, and John Lloyd.
LOLs.
It’s a fair piece, manuel.
I do also think that monarchy is the best form of government.
Certainly, it does not have to be GMA as the empress.
Thank you Primer. Besides in a monarchy, when a revolution occurs, justice and retribution is swift. Accountability is clear. The monarch and all those who served are presumed guilty.
I don’t know what world “the opposition” (using the broader term, which includes some media, NGO’s and other non-politicians as well) is living in.
All of this yak-yak about “what does Ramos really think?”, failed elections, no elections, Cha-Cha, ConAss, 1109, martial law, Empress, “can Erap run”?, parliament, GMA as Congresswoman, GMA as PM, “garbage in–garbage out” automation, etc, etc, etc….is worthless. Nothing but hypothetical straw men and fantastical images.
Meanwhile, Lakas et al are preparing carefully for the election/campaign season and laying the groundwork. GMA, in turn, refuses to be drawn out and lets her party’s opponents grope in the dark.
Compare and contrast the two camps.
Lakas is guaranteed to put out a detailed platform with specific programs…from the national level down to the level of each of the 85% of the barangays they are strong in.
When will we start hearing about real answers to real problesm? What are the diffrences between the LP and the NP and Lakas and…UNO??? I hope this election will become a true turning point when voters really embrace the value of their vote and the power to demand clear policy proposals (and differences).
The team to beat is Lakas/Kampi. The competitors better start getting their act together and mature from an Ayala Ave rag tag group of media-pandering screaming accusers.
In the US, GW wasn’t beaten in 2004 because the Democrats never developed their message/platform past the “anyone but Bush” rally cry. In 2004, Poe couldn’t take the anti-GMA sentiment and grow a real political campaign around it…and his momentum fell off a cliff in the last months.
GMA can be the Anti-Christ if the opposition wants, but she will also be gone…while the Lakas machine will still need to be beaten (if there is going to be any real change). I don’t see signs of that happening right now.
If Lakas puts its hulk behind a partnership with Villar/NP or behind the “Independent” Noli, who is going to beat them?
All of this continued anti-GMA focus is not doing the electorate justice. Real choices with real programs are needed…now more than ever. Let’s go, Opposition, give us a vision of the future and tell us how we can all get there!!!
Realitycheck,
The choice is between more of the same from the same old suspects or more of the same from a new set of suspects. In other words, either way you’ll get screwed. The only difference is you’ll be doing it with a new partner. And so, all in all, a new partner might be a refreshing change.
Ahhh. The old “nothing matters; there’s nothing I can do” line.
I take it that complaining is the honorable action then?
The way I was brought up, pointing out defects without proposing and implementing solutions is “whining”…while trying to fix problems is called “winning”.
Vision? Lakas-Kampi, without FVR’s actual leadership has become a party of old farts, a party of hollow, hollow men.
Oh, Lakas is not the same, I agree. It SHOULD be beatable, based simply on the idea of being too stale by now. But at least they have maintained a consistent party line.
My point, though, is that the non-Lakas parties should be creating a buzz about what they stand for, what they can bring to the table. They are not. They need a new game worse than Lakas does. “Burn GMA on a Stake!” is not a campaign slogan, let alone a platform policy.
Meanwhile, the electorate (I predict) will be much more discerning, demanding and determined this time around. I think the door is open for someone and something new…but Mar Roxas and the Drilon wing (for example) DO, in fact, look like the “same old suspects”.
Can anyone offer something other than “Say No to ChaCha!”?
Interesting challenge, Reality. I confess to not understanding the party structure of the Philippines. It seems a jumble of shifting allegiances, none of which can acquire 50% of the popular vote. If you hypothesized beyond Lakas/Kampi, what scenarios might you forsee? What two main competitor parties might emerge, and who might be their standard-bearers be. I know it is asking you to speculate, but I need so help as to were to direct my factual research. (See, I can be rehabilitated.)
Joe
I will wait for the elections.
“The team to beat is Lakas/Kampi.”
RealityCheck, prepare yourself for the worst frustration of your life after the election.
But of course we all know Gloria would not allow the election to push through therefore we are bracing ourselves preparing for the worst frustration of our lives, heheh.
Realitycheck,,
it is an old trick pf those who like the status quo tp tell those unhappy with it to come up with something better.
“Ahhh. The old “nothing matters; there’s nothing I can do” line. I take it that complaining is the honorable action then? The way I was brought up, pointing out defects without proposing and implementing solutions is “whining”…while trying to fix problems is called “winning”.”
But I won’t be drawn in that kind of game. Those who don’t like the status quo do not have to propose an alternative. All they want and all they have to do for a start is to tear it down. It’s only after the status quo is broken that you have a chance to build something new.Whatever that something new will be would depend on who is in a position to create.
Realitycheck,
Can anyone offer something other than “Say No to ChaCha!”?
That’s another fine example of the old trick I’m talking about. Why do you insinuate that saying no to chacha is not enough? There is no good reason for chacha so why do we need a reason or an alternative to it? Why must we humor the irrational? Say no cha-cha is more than enough. All we want to do is to thwart the perpetuatiion of the current status quo. We are under no obligation to justify our actions to those we believe arecausing a;; our problems.
this is a clear contradiction of your position. you don’t want to change or improve the constitution because you want “to thwart the perpetuation of the current status quo”? you are a working “journalist” buencamino. you should do better than that.
Bencard,
Everything has to be spelled out for you. The current status quo is the current dispensation. I am happy with the constitution as it is. I am unhappy with the current government. Maliwanag na ba?
then, be precise buencamino. say what you mean and mean what you say. or is that too hard for you to do being a “trained journalist” accustomed to doublespeak?
why buencamino, is it because you or your employer cannot get anything from the “status quo” and so you want to tear it down, hoping that you will get a “better deal” from your “something new”?
Bencard,
Stupid! You don’t know my personal circumstances.
First, I am not employed by the Business Mirror. I am paid for my articles. We have no contractual arrangement. And I don’t rely on the loose change I am paid for my articles. I have other sources of income.
Second, if you are referring to the owner of the newspaper then do some research on him. He has done very well despite whoever is running the country. His businesses range from insurance, tourism, mass media,memorial parks and others. He is the type of businessman that politicians need more than he needs them.
You should return to the Philippines. You possess the sort of intelligence that would make you an ideal member of GMA’s cabinet.
relax, manuel. i was just asking a few questions. thanks for the answers.
The Queen in waiting has been constantly complaining about a dysfunctional political system. She has been the chief executive for almost nine years and the expiry of her term is just around the corner.
Is she really delusional? She has been the head of the executing office that has a stranglehold on the other two so called equal but separate branches of the political establishment.
As FVR constantly reminds everyone she is the commander in chief. She has command and control of most of the most organized armed group in the country.
A most re-constructionist justice gave her the power on a silver platter but it appears she really does now know how to wield that power. She has polarized the political forces in the country. Now she seems to want to reverse the polarity with her as the unifier.
The horse has left the barn on that idea. It is now slowly dawning on many that the coup that placed her in power had already ripped the constitution setting into motion the political paralysis the country has seen and will continue to see unless she makes a clear move to prepare for her departure.
Leave it to the new guy to restore the tattered ship of state. We do not know what type of Pandora’s box she may open if she attempts anything else.
without resorting to draconian remedies that only a dictatorship can provide, no one, but no one, can “restore the tattered ship of state”. it’s so easy to think that the chief executive has all the powers. in a democratic system such as we have, that is not so. she may be the commander-in-chief of the military but she can only exercise powers granted to her by, and within the parameters of, the constitution and the laws of the land. one indication that she is not as powerful as you think she is, is the way she is being maligned and verbally abused by the likes of you in the opposition with obvious impunity.
you talk like you know better than she does. how would you teach her “to wield that power”?
I have to admit something first. I bow to the contextual intelligence exhibited by the writings of MB, DJB, MLQ3 and Caffeine Sparks.
Now on to the delusional theoreticians.
In an earlier post it was published in a major daily tabloid that the head of the Philippines governments security apparatus suggested that the President organize a revolutionary government.
That would mean she would rule by absolute executive authority for the primary purpose of making systemic and structural changes to the political system.
She has been talking publicly in guarded terms about the need for this.
Mr. Bencard says that we have a democratic system in place that prevents her from doing that. However her former defense chief had said that in recent years she had wanted to declare martial law over her perception of an alleged impending mutiny amongst some of her generals.
The same former defense minster has come out openly saying that there appears to be once again an attempt to declare martial law this time for the expressed intent to extend her stay in office.
I wonder on what planet Mr. Bencard resides in when he talk’s of all these fine theories about constitutional republican representative government. Democracy is an often abused word of tyrants.
The little lady must be delusional if she thinks that she has political capital sufficient to lead a revolution of the political economy in this country.
As for suggestions on how it will be necessary for her to wield power, I would suggest she contact the mullahs in Iran or some members of the central committee in China. It all depends on what she wants to accomplish. She had once said that she rules with a mandate from heaven.
Take your pick….
In case you hadn’t noticed the present man in the White House has begun to repair the tattered ship of state known as the USA. The danger in the world today is the fact that there no longer exists today a center of power.
JAG,
While some spin around in circles, over-analyzing political bellybuttons, the real world moves forward.
When it turns out that there is no charter change, no martial law, no transitional government, and there ARE indeed elections…then what?
Right: Elections.
The public should let historians write about GMA’s ability to wield power…and instead worry about the here and now. Those who keep focusing on the distractions revolving around GMA are missing the boat.
“contextual intelligence” is not determined by one’s preference or concurrence. what is popular may not necessarily be true or wise.
now from one “delusional theoretician”. since when can a subordinate of the president bind the president with his “suggestion”? even the president’s men (and women) speak with discordant voices. that is democracy. it doesn’t necessarily mean that the president will buy every “bright idea” conceived by her “advisers”. what’s
the hurry to jump to conclusions?
there is a dinosaur of a difference between what gma wants and what she can do under the laws and the constitution. she may have thought of declaring martial law amidst what she perceived to be an impending rebellion but unless all the constitutional ingredients are present, there is the supreme court to stop her, and ultimately the people – the real people, not just a mere noisy fraction of it.
so you want her to consult with the iranian mullahs on what? how to set up a totalitarian regime? now you’re talking, mister.
btw, the “real danger in the world today” is the imminent possibility of a nuclear attack by north korea and iran, largely induced by the perception that we have now an effete president who cannot be relied upon to protect the free world.
Bencard,
You can lead a horse to water, but . . .
Joe
but like you said, joe, show the water first and maybe the horse will drink without forcing it (unless the water is toxic).
Can you please, manuel, explain the ‘contradiction’ you are said to have fallen into (if any), lest each time a reader or viewer here takes a peep through the window to see the ‘things happening down the ground”, somebody would always be tipping close the “venetian blinds”?
For my sake, manuel, can you as a journalist please show that your point of view did not rest on an ice floe that melts right away when somebody with an acetylene tank tears it down?
There is an emerging pattern here that ideas, views, opinions appear to degenerate or simply get blurred by more uncharacteristically persistent views espoused by ‘defenders of the faith”.
Nick, where is FV headed to in this climate that seems no longer characterized by intelligent exchange of views but rather by sweeping motherhood statements, reductio ad absurdums, and straighjacketed generalizations.
Pittance.
Primer,
pls point out conntradiction
Manuel,
You seem to think that I am implying that ConAss is great or that GMA should rule forever or that Lakas is the best no matter what…or something along those lines. I’m not.
I’m saying that the timing is ripe for NEW players with NEW ideas. So far, though, all we are hearing is “No ChaCha!” and “NO GMA!”. That’s fine for those whose only goal is to yell, but it is not a formula for the future.
Your reasoning, it seems, is that tearing down the status quo (which I guess is GMA and the 14th Congress) is good enough. You wrote:
“All they want and all they have to do for a start is to tear it down. It’s only after the status quo is broken that you have a chance to build something new.”
Well, there will be a new President and a new Congress in 2010. So, like, “tearing them down” doesn’t seem very difficult now, does it? At least you acknowledged that there is “a chance to build something new”. But how??? You wrote:
“Whatever that something new will be would depend on who is in a position to create.”
Now there you go! So the question of “who” will be in a “position to create” is kind of important, eh? And just how will this “who” get there? Aha! By winning the elections!!! (Or are you proposing a coup or a communist revolution?)
So whoever (or whichever party) wants to win, replace the previous people/party in power and to be in a position to “create” necessarily needs to convince the voting public that they offer the best options and the best vision.
MY POINT IS THAT THEY HAVE NOT DONE SO TO DATE…AND THEY BETTER GET GOOD AT THIS!
There’s no need for anarchy, there’s no need for revolution; there’s a need for good political campaigning…with an uplifting, clear vision and an appealing platform with specific policies that will bring the nation closer to the visionary goals.
Strange that you have a problem with that…..
Realitycheck,
MY POINT IS THAT THEY HAVE NOT DONE SO TO DATE…AND THEY BETTER GET GOOD AT THIS!
There you go. So you don’t like what you see, you don’t see any alternative, and if there is one or more, they have failed to move you.
Who do you support, what group is better than the present dispensation?
If those who have been incessantly yelling and screaming now have a chance to create a plan of action and offer a better vision…and can’t do that…forget them, ignore them, don’t vote for them.
Once the chips have fallen and there is a new government, these such people have no credibility whatsoever.
Personally, I will support a party which offers a reasonable, implementable program which can lead to a better economic environment (while remaining within a democracy, of course).
If no one else steps up and Lakas offers the best path forward, why shouldn’t they be supported?
I’m still hoping for a new dynamic to emerge, though. That could possibly occur if the “journalists” could stop stoking dead end stories and start a more robust dialogue about WHAT CAN BE DONE TO IMPROVE THE NATION…SPECIFICALLY?
Joe,
It’s tough to speculate right now…for the very reason you cited — shifting allegiances. There have been attempts to reduce party-switching, but success has been limited.
My broad guesses:
1. Presently — Lakas is too big to fight against (in the House and in the LGUs) if the other parties are splintered. The Senate will be composed of individuals (again) and the Prez will win with a minority share.
2. A Top-to-Bottom “unification” slate could reverse this. That would take a coalition of major parties (like the UNO idea) with a unified plan of action.
The LP and NP could be the foundation of such an alliance. Problem is that means Villar or Roxas would have to step down/away. If Villar is the “loser” in such a tug-of-war, he could easily ally with Lakas and become that alliance’s Prez choice. That’s a formidable group — Lakas + NP + Villar at the helm.
But if Roxas is pushed aside, I think the LP will split into yet another slice. Villar + NP + leftover non-Roxas, non-Atienza LP + some smaller players = not enough. Roxas and his loyal LP group would meanwhile become this election’s “Lacson”.
3. A new movement and group arises. Well we see these small guys come out again. But the polls don’t see them on their radar screen. To succeed, they need big time money. Perhaps the only way to accomplish that is if the general public gets so carried away with an “outsider” that the traditional opposition parties line up behind such a player.
———–
Unfortunately to date, the traditional parties offer nothing refreshing and exciting, while no new face has emerged. Meanwhile, others — like you — haven’t joined together to demand anything of value from the politicians other than “say no to ChaCha!”
———-
My advocacy is for a grass roots movement to demand much, much more from the contending parties: Specifics, specifics, specifics; Policies, not personalities; Convincing goals and a new, solid direction.
Otherwise, don’t complain if nothing changes after these next elections…..
Reality, thanks for the thoughtful piece. Let me take some time to digest it.
Re your other blog about getting down to doing something constructive, I have ideas, but they are my usual stuff; brainstorming with too little brain and too much storming.
But I may opine on that, too.
As for complaining, never . . . it is simply outspoken critical mastication . . . or maybe even hot air . . .
Joe
Joe,
Sorry, I was writing different responses to different posters…and got mixed up. I wasn’t referring to you, but to MB and JAG.
Realitycheck,
There you proved my point about the intent behind your better alternative proposal.
“If no one else steps up and Lakas offers the best path forward, why shouldn’t they be supported?”
You see. Lakas is the party of an absolutely corrupt president. It has supported completely everything she has done. How can it offer a better path?
Now if Lakas were to impeach Gloria this year, or it were to throw her off the party and break it’s ties with Kampi, then we can consider giving it the benefit of the doubt. But lacking a clean break with Gloria, there is no way it can offer anything worthwhile other than more corruption,
I wish you would stop worrying about some “intent” I have other than the ones I’ve explicitly stated. It would be more constructive, intellectually, to address the actual words and ideas I have laid out on paper.
To repeat, I WANT to see an alternative to the same old politics we’ve seen in the last 20 or so years. I WANT to see a party or two — PREFERABLY non-Lakas — to actually present a platform of value. One that offers specific policies aimed to achieve a specific, but lofty goal…preferably in the context of an widely expanded economy. I hope that is finally clear.
Apparently, you cannot see past your dislike for GMA and Lakas, so I guess I can’t discuss future developments of politics rationally with you. You even berate me because I don’t position myself with the screaming rallyist crowd which claims to know all…but has no answers for anything. Which, I guess, makes me a blind GMA Lakas loyalist. I’ve heard it before, MB. It’s a bit disappointing to see it from you.
—————-
Back to the topic…
Will the LP or NP or any “national” party step up and offer a path forward? Will a new path or new person — from outside the realm of existing players/parties — emerge organically and capture the imagination and support of the public?
If not, good luck beating the vast, well-entrenched Lakas..like them or not (it’s an agnostic prognosis). And be prepared for a new trapo Prez.
Lakas (and I use the term as shorthand for Lakas-Kampi-CMD) has had clear policies/goals since Ramos. They’ve achieved some of them. They keep winning the votes. The “we” you say might contemplate them is not the same “we” who keeps voting for them.
In democracy, like in life, whining and moaning gets you nowhere. You want better? Do something about it. If you aren’t willing to do anything, shut up and get out of the way. That’s reality.
You want Lakas out, offer something of value.
Realitycheck,
It is clear what you want. How do you think you will get there by sticking with the same gang ie. Lakas Kampi?
MB,
How to get there?
By having the politicians, the parties, the media and the public rise to a higher level of discourse.
Are you saying that this is impossible?
By having a party and its candidates create a vision, some goals and specific policies.
Are you saying that this is impossible?
Realitycheck,
Yes it is impossible if you are pinning your hopes on those characters in Lakas Kampi.
MB,
What is the matter with you?
If you are NOT pinning your hopes on Lakas, is it possible that another party can create a vision, set some goals and describe actual policies it will pursue?
If you are NOT pinning your hopes on Lakas, is it possible to raise the level of public discourse and to participate in a more thoughtful, substantive discussion of the future and its potential?
Realitycheck,
well then go Lakas good for you. If you think you can have a thoughtful substantive discussion with Lakas in the picture then more power to you. Good luck~
MB,
Don’t keep trying to put the same words in my mouth and attributing positions to me which are inaccurate at best…and willingfully inaccurate at worst. Resorting to straw dogs signals a lack of valid argument.
You simply have not/cannot offer any ideas above “kick them out, keep them out!”. That’s shallow and is not politically resonating. If you haven’t noticed, it has failed (at an increasing rate) over the last few years.
Hopefully, the real players and the real movers and shakers from the non-Lakas parties will be smart enough to do better than that.
Realitycheck,
I have said here and in my latest post that I will listen to what the others have to say but I will not listen to frogs croaking.
Take the frogs out of the equation and you and I gave no disagreement!
Oh, manuel, I didn’t expect you to ever miss on the point I raised but leave it at that. I thought you were a satirist?
Give it another round, per chance you might see where it flowed?
Primer,
You me and Chip Tsao are in the same boat. Our satire is sometimes missed.
some satire has some semblance of sense. others are just moronic, if at all intelligible.
The “Opposition” hasn’t had anything new to offer since 1986 other than, guess what: 1986 Thinking. :D