Why do we elect bad leaders?
Have you ever wondered or asked yourself why politics had always been a dirty word? Why in our country, our government comes with the word “corruption”, “broken promises”, and other more anomalies? The reason is that because we keep on electing for bad leaders whom leads into another cycle of no-change and a failing administration pulling down our country’s economy into rut. However, even with these obvious facts, what is the cause of us Filipinos to keep on voting and trusting our leadership with these kinds of leaders?
First point to ponder, “it is immediately evident that in the premium we place on the personal popularity of candidates rather than on their capacity to articulate and defend a national plan.” PDI says that we elect bad leaders because in time of elections, we choose to vote the kind of people who are well known and very popular even though we are not aware if they are really ready to serve and make a change in our government system. Instead of selecting persons who are very much deserving of leading the people and persons who are capable of making or implementing bills that we opt for, public offices are now being the monopoly of action stars, super stars, pop idols or generally celebrities.
Second idea of the author upon answering the question of about why Filipinos keep on electing unworthy leaders is “those who know better and should be criticizing the system, often become its cynical operators.” I also agree with the PDI about his second idea. It is that these persons who can be one of the best leaders we could have if ever they had been straight in their ways and right with their decisions; but worse comes worst, they went with the flow and made themselves naive with the things other politics do. They become hired as assistants of dim-witted officers. I am quite sure until now that they are still fighting over their own guilt feeling, trying to ease their conscience by believing that at least they could serve as positive influences to these officials.
Last thought that I would like to expand from the article is “we remained fixated on the redemptive power of charismatic leaders to secure our future. In contrast, we have so little faith in ordinary people’s capacity to create the nation by their sustained collective effort.” As the old proverb said, we should never judge the book by its cover, seemingly related as to judging other people’s competence in his leadership skills because of his fame, public relations, exposure to the media or even his status. Always remember that many of the most excellent presidents in other country particularly the USA never expected that people like those will ever make a change and implement an outstanding administration like what they did.
A little piece of advice to those who have a plan of running for elections: Commit your heart not just to the government, but commit your heart to the honorable and just leadership. It may be struggling working with immoral and corrupt individuals; still it pays to be upright. Know how to make a change not just in our systems but in our society and be determined to manifest it.
GUZMAN, KEIZA GRACE S. September 24, 2012