On Elections

They say that one thing that humans share, no matter the race, the color or nationality, is being under a government. AS Aristotle would put it "Man is a political animal.". Different countries have different forms of government some may subscribe to monarchy, some democracy and others anarchy. No matter how different nations are ruled the fact still remains that every  state is ruled by a government.

Here in the Philippines, we are under a democratic and republican form of government. It roughly means that the power of the government comes from its people and the people select individual who they feel fit to represent them best. One of the most blatant exercise of this power is found during elections. This exercise of the right to suffrage is a key event in the lives of every citizen of this country.

Elections, as most of us would call it, is a means for the citizenry to dictate who should and should not be in power. It is a way for the masses to make their voice known by voting for that individual which best represents their stand on variious issues affecting their lives.In turn, elections is also a way to make those in power realize that their reign is finite and their power depends much on how the public perceives them.

Unfortunately, our electoral system here in the Phiippines has proved to be futile and most of the time comical. Many of those running for office resort to bizarre methods just to gain the public's approval. Those who are already in office seem to highlight projects that were never realized. Those who are wanting to be in office try their best to prove that they are better than those in power.The rest turn to celebrities to increase their credibility which still remains to be a big question since politicians themselves always appear to be, intentionally or unintentionally, fame-hungry celebrities.

This coming May 2013 will be my second time exercising my right to suffrage.
To be completely honest, I don't feel like exercising that right at all. Not because I have no time or I do not believe in its power but because I feel like not one of these candidates deserve my vote. I know I might sound a little to harsh but if you look at the way these candidates campaign it's all of the same thing. Majority are capitalizing on personalities rather than on platform. Many are more concerned of parties rather than individual stand on issues. Many are using each other, even previous opponents, just to get back in office. The most disturbing of all would be many of the candidates feel that they have the right to be in office just because they have a familiar last name.

The worst part of the election is the fact that the voting public still consider these kinds of candidates. I cannot even fathom why many of our citizens stll vote for those who have been proven to take advantage of their power. I cannot Imagine why the voting public still support people whose only qualification is the fact that they belong to a political family. I cannot imagine why many of our people vote based on who had the better jingle or who had the better copmmercial?

Its the same old thing. Its a broken record. People vote for incompetent officials. They suffer the result of this official's incompetency. The politician asks for another chance. The people vote for the incompetent officials. Why is it that we Filipinos never learn. Why is it so hard for us to look into the candidates' profile not only to see their qualifications but also to see their plans of actions and their stand on the i
ssues facing the country.

If we really want chage then I guess we have to be more responsible in exercising our right to suffrage. We people never realize how immense the power of one vote is. One vote can feed a starving family. One vote can send a child to school. One vote can employ thousands of workers. One vote can build a shelter for those homeless. One vote can definitely change the status qou. Only when we realize that can we be able to move forward as a nation.

In the meantime, we get the government that we deserve.