Today, we Filipinos are given the chance to make a change. And this present opportunity is significant, if not great. Sadly, there is sufficient reason to believe that many people do not take the polls seriously. I have several assumptions for such supposition. First, people are shortsighted so as to see the far-reaching effects of their electoral decision. Second, they do not realize that when they allow incompetent people to achieve victory in the polls, they become guilty of burying alive themselves and their neighbors. Third, there is a sense of indifference--a lack of belief that the system would work. So instead of giving it a chance by casting their votes, they instead choose not to go out.
These problems should have solutions to them. Theorists say that reason separates man from the animals. Indeed, this is true. People should be adequately educated so that they may be able to go beyond their immediate needs and wants. It is only rightful that the voting population choose the skillful people, if not the ablest. According to Plato, philosophers must be kings. I view philosophers as enlightened men. Of all the beings, they are the few which see and discern reality from illusion. With this capacity, they should take lead and share the light to their lesser companions.
The context presented here has many similarities with the purported intellectual loss with the movement of the best minds out of the country. Those that look for greener pastures abroad rationalize that they do so for sufficient remuneration. I would like to believe otherwise. I think that greed and self-worth are underlying causes for working elsewhere. Although, greed is regarded as basically evil, it is responsible for the evolution and establishment of most institutions. Its noblest expression is low prices in healthy competition, which is to the benefit of the consumers or general public. For those who move out because of self-worth, a misplaced sense of self-worth supersedes authentic self-worth. As its name implies, it should be innate. As such, it is impervious from association with one's environment. If you know yourself and you accept its entirety, then you are ready to face the challenges time churns out to you.
The truth is our elders have fallen short. And their failure cannot go overlooked, since what they have overlooked all point to the foundations of the society. Charley Reese stated, "Society exists only as a mental concept; in the real world there are only individuals." There is no other place in the world where this idea is truest than in the Philippines. This is partly due to our multinational characteristic. If our failure to achieve unity continues, then it may well serve our interests if we unite at dividing ourselves. This can be done by making our regional differences sharper. This is when we attain our identity--who we truly are. Unity does not necessitate the genetic manipulation to reach racial congruence. We will truly benefit when we do not have problems. Instead, they should be instead viewed as challenges, eagerly waiting for action. Likewise, we must turn our weaknesses into strengths. For example, cultural diversity should be accepted as it is. There should be proper acceptance and respect for others's beliefs.
A quick definition of suffrage is the right to vote. It is clearly stated as 'right to vote' and not 'right to suffer'. Cliché, but true: "There is already too much suffering in the world." For sure, we neither need nor want more of it. So in every election, most especially in sovereign states, vote the better (candidates) for the better (future). So long as you are a citizen, you have the right and duty to vote. I even like to suggest transforming voting from a right (suffrage) to a duty ("enjoyage", a term I am proposing here). Also I would like to propose the addition of educational requirement to all candidates, especially for the top positions of the nation. We have suffered long enough from allowing demagogy by wanton democracy. It is simply atrocious. I rest my case.
