‘We own the economy, stupid’

At a time when we should be hearing Christmas carols and gearing up towards the yuletide celebrations, it seems that people’s lives have needlessly been “trespassed and infested” by life sucking politics, media sensationalism and the personal grudge matches of politicians and rich families.

Given the global and local economic state of affairs, this may very well be the last happy Christmas many of us can celebrate in a long time. In about two weeks we shall enter the dreaded year: 2012. If the Mayan civilization is correct, that will be the end of the world and my only prayer is that the Lord will save his chosen and allow us to watch the criminals fry!

If the Mayans are wrong, which I’m betting on, then it will signal the beginning of another year of political strife, mindlessness and acrimony. As a stellar opening act, those who wish to participate will surely get front row seats for the impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona courtesy of the Networks.

My question would be: what actual benefit will Juan dela Cruz gain? Getting rid of Chief Justice Corona still leaves behind about 11 other Arroyo appointees, and what about the decisions “they” made together? Will Malacañang have those cases declared null and raffle them off again?

While that Caligula-Circus takes place, many of us will once again go through another year of financial slaughter, unemployment, downgraded lifestyles and asking children to home school or not to go to school because there is no money.

Because we are a proud race living in times when imaging and packaging are used to cover-up poverty or financial distress, none of the inutile surveys will ever reveal that even the middle class were badly hit in 2011. This year I learned, heard and saw more cases of financial hardship than ever before.

If government economists can transform their facts and figures to edible salads or legal tender to pay tuition fees, I will be happy to sing their song. If not they might as well use their data as toilet paper in the spirit of recycling and recognition of dire times.

This year, I have seen a number of middle class kids pass off the year out of school because their parents simply could not make ends meet. This year I have seen more people who had to borrow money just to pay their rent. This year, many of us have had to work three times harder to make the money we used to earn. This year I learned that in terms of income I have slipped down from the B-class down to C.

Perhaps the worst of it all is when people like me “elected” to postpone medical treatment because medical services have become irrationally beyond the reach of Filipinos who don’t have medical insurance or would wreak havoc on our monthly budgets.

Many of us have tried to call the attention of politicians and government officials to pay attention to the economy, to address unemployment, to attract investors etc. But politicians and government officials have opted to pursue a different course. They choose retribution, imprisonment and impeachment.

People are puzzled why?

It is quite simple. Politicians and government officials are both secure in their financial and professional status. Most of our elected officials from the barangay all the way to the President are professional politicians who earn from politics in one way or another. Most of our politicians were born rich and entered public office and evolved into political dynasties that have become richer and powerful, others got “rich” in public office and brought in their families and created their own dynasties.

So as far as Congressmen, Congresswomen and Senators are concerned almost all of them can’t relate to our sense of urgency and desperation. They are paid by taxpayers. Their lifestyle; from drivers, bodyguards, gasoline, food, staff and office are largely funded by taxpayers. So they don’t feel the lack and financial distress.

They love the economy just as it is because they are actually the driving force in our economy. If a special interest group wants protectionist laws, they simply lobby or romance a lawmaker. If an industry or business wants special concessions or privileges, they go to Congress or the Senate.

In the last quarter I have learned of how “private individuals” have approached staffers, family members or paramours of legislators just to get even at their competition, personal enemies or even former employers.

The Americans often say, “It’s the Economy, Stupid”; however in the Philippines we can’t say that to our elected officials because the probable response is “ We OWN the economy, stupido”.

Whether on a local-district level, at a provincial level or even regional level, the fact is, many of our politicians are business magnates who operate and control by proxy. They are partners in transport, markets, malls, shipping, mining, they are even partners in fastfoods and restaurants.

In like manner, those in government are not desperate or frightened by economic turmoil, especially high-ranking government officials. Only by a slightly lesser degree do they enjoy perks equal to elected officials. They also get a lot of freebies in terms of travels, dining treats at major hotels and resorts.

In fact, the greatest revelation after the US financial crisis is that the best career choice is to be a “Government employee”. Even under the Pinoy Administration, it is almost impossible or extremely expensive to fire an incompetent or corrupt government official or employee. So as far as the economy is concerned, they might tell us: You’re in the wrong line of work, stupid! –Cito Beltran (The Philippine Star)

* * *

E-mail: Utalk2ctalk@gmail.com