n the
Philippines which has a bicameral legislature, the legislature is
composed of two houses – the upper house or Senate, and the lower house,
or House of Representatives. Please take note of the spelling. It is
not "Representathieves". A member of the upper house is called Senator,
while a member of the lower house is called Representative.
Therefore, the title "congressman", which has been used to refer only to a member of the lower house, is a misnomer. As "congress" pertains to two houses, the title "congressman" should properly include both senators and representatives.
*****
As the title implies, a "Representative" is a personification of the
traits, qualities, goals, aspirations, and interests of the people he
represents. If the representative is a thief, maybe it is because, by
having been swayed primarily by monetary considerations in voting for
him, the majority of the voters are also dishonest. And if the
representative is a nincompoop, maybe it is because idiots outnumber
geniuses. Remember that very wise observation: "Get all the fools on your side and you can be elected to anything".
*****
In his fables, Aesop teaches us that appearances are deceptive, as
shown in the story of the ant and the chrysalis. It goes this way: An
Ant nimbly running about in the sunshine in search of food came across a
Chrysalis that was very near its time of change. The Chrysalis moved
its tail, and thus attracted the attention of the Ant, who then saw for
the first time that it was alive. "Poor, pitiable animal!" cried the Ant
disdainfully. "What a sad fate is yours! While I can run hither and
thither, at my pleasure, and, if I wish, ascend the tallest tree, you
lie imprisoned here in your shell, with power only to move a joint or
two of your scaly tail." The Chrysalis heard all this, but did not try
to make any reply. A few days after, when the Ant passed that way again,
nothing but the shell remained. Wondering what had become of its
contents, he felt himself suddenly shaded and fanned by the gorgeous
wings of a beautiful Butterfly. "Behold in me," said the Butterfly,
"your much-pitied friend! Boast now of your powers to run and climb as
long as you can get me to listen." So saying, the Butterfly rose in the
air, and, borne along and aloft on the summer breeze, was soon lost to
the sight of the Ant forever.
*****
The proposition that appearances are deceptive also holds true in
politics. So, the candidate who appears to be insipid and plain-looking,
may actually be the best – with his highly intelligent mind, beautiful
program of government, lofty ideals, and honest objectives. What would
have happened if American voters at the time did not vote for Abraham
Lincoln who has a face only his mother could love? The world would not
have been gifted with his famous Gettysburg Address wherein he defined
democracy as a "government of the people, by the people and for the people".
*****
On the other hand, an actor with impressive looks may not be as good
as the heroes he has portrayed in the movies. Take as an example an
ex-president who is again running for the same office. The sad reality
is that he is a convicted plunderer, and is renowned not for his
intelligence, but for his blockheadedness and loathsome vices. In the
same vein, the leading candidate for senator, another actor, sadly, also
excels only in mediocrity. Are government officials to be elected on
the basis of good looks only – never mind that they have the IQ of a
chimpanzee, or worse, of a duck?
*****
So, on the local scene, be very careful in choosing for the next
representative of the province. For instance, one candidate for
congressman appears to have a bottomless pit full of money. But whoever
said that wealth is the primary qualification of a congressman? Another
appears to have accumulated many years of experience serving as
congressman in the past. But whoever said that experience is the primary
qualification of a congressman? Still another appears to come from the
premier municipality of Virac, which delivers one fourth of the entire
voting strength of the province. But whoever said that the accident of
birth in a populous place is the primary qualification of a congressman?
*****
In my never-ending quest for a better day, a more tranquil night, and
a bright, infinite future, I will not hesitate to vote for the
candidate who appears to have less resources or less experience, but is
my best bet for a safer and more progressive future for my children and
grand children.
0 comments:
Post a Comment