Rational Insanity
Who's your captain?
It's election time and as most of us would put it, it's time for the dirtiest exercise in our country. For years I have always hoped that somehow Filipinos would exercise their power to influence the course of history every election time and many times also, I have been disappointed. I am luckier than most in that I belong to the B-C bracket of society, so, unlike many, I have the privilege of enjoying three meals a day. For those who don't have this privilege, and who, incidentally, belong to the greater voting majority, it's time to make your votes count. The problem with these people is that they easily succumb to the empty promises of politicians or give-in to the vote buying, and when the monsters are in power, they are also the first to complain about their deplorable situation. Kesyo wala gid naga-asenso ang Pililipinas, kesyo imul man sila gihapon, well, who's to blame? Aside from the fact that most of those in the D-E bracket find decent, noble work or education a difficult route to individual progress and would rather join Wowowee or bet in the lottery, they are also the ones who vote for worthless politicians who plunge them further into their misery. Dayun, sagad kamo reklamo! Let's face it, in a way, the choices are hopeless; if we vote intelligently and with our conscience, we have no one to choose from.
Just take this barangay elections for instance – most of those running for Barangay Captains are either drunkards or the frequent face you see at mahjong sessions, pusoy games, or whatever else there is. Then there are those who are mentally challenged – honestly, that is just a euphemism for 'bundol'; plus you have an entourage of barangay councilmen members who probably couldn't even read or write! I would not be alarmed if these jesters were easily dismissed by the people in the barangay and failed to secure a mandate, the sad part is that most of these 'tankoloys' most often WIN! My goodness! What happened to the indomitable Filipino Spirit? Have our intellects been reduced to the size of a peanut that we cannot even determine which of these candidates are fools and which are not? Frankly, they are all fools save for a VERY select few, in fact; in my own baranggay I will cast a blank ballot. I am not ashamed or afraid to say so because I just want to express my absolute disgust over an exercise in futility. When will we ever learn? When will we ever realize that our complaint regarding trash that has not been collected or the usual sidewalk structure that is a pedestrian hazard, or the leaking estero, or the smelly sewers is a complaint that will only be acted upon if our elected barangay officials are truly sincere in their jobs? If, unluckily, none of your complaints in the past or your requests for streetlights, water pumps, or other community needs have been given any attention then, DO NOT VOTE FOR THE PERSON WHO IS ASKING FOR A RE-ELECTION AS YOUR BARANGAY CAPTAIN, OR ANY OF THEIR PARTY MATES. Is this so difficult to comprehend? If they did not help you in the past, why would you expect them to help you if they get a fresh new mandate? They will still waste your next three years and you will still end up disappointed.
Some people who hear my obvious revulsion for the Philippine electoral process ask me why I am still here despite my very vocal abhorrence. I always tell them that there is an analogy that will easily explain this – the 'nagging wife'. If I keep on nagging and nagging and nagging, trying to influence other people, only two things will happen – either I get killed, or I actually influence another person or two, who themselves will begin to nag and nag and nag some more. I am not the kind of person who would turn my back against my ailing country; I am not one who will opt for divorce when a relationship gets sour. I still think like a traditional Filipino does, but I would like to see some radical changes especially in our political mentality. Filipinos are far from what might be considered politically mature, but this is not reason enough for us to just opt to vote for the captain who has halitosis because he pulled off an all-nighter with a bottle of rum, or the barangay councillor who doesn't seem to be acquainted with the nail cutter, or the barangay chairman who delivers a campaign speech no better than a contestant in a Miss Gay Pageant.
Think twice, thrice, or more if possible – your decision can make or break your next three years. So, who's your captain?
Be rational; be insane… every once in a while! TTFN!
I love you all! Byers!