As we know, there are levels of authority found in the government. We have the Judiciary, Legislative and Executive branches. Now, I won’t delve into the nitty- gritty of it all, but in a nutshell, all three are vital in keeping with our government. We first begin with the presidency; this is where we find the power and authority coming from the head of state, the president herself. As president, it is her duty to oversee the country, keep everything both internally and externally ordered. As a result a great deal or responsibility rests on his or her shoulders. If the president falters, we would all feel the repercussions, after all the decisions made on the top affect those in the bottom, meaning, us the civilian population.
The Senate and Congress both make up the House of Representatives, the Senators belonging to the upper house and the congressmen, in the lower house. Both are concerned with lawmaking. In effect, most laws we are required to abide by come from these guys. In keeping with their actions and responsibilities, they too have an arduous task to the country. We need competent and good lawmakers if we want laws considerable to the populace and beneficial for the country. Strong laws reflect the type or order and governance happening not only in the government system but within the country as well.
Now, the pressing matter is the fact that in our country, corruption is rampart. The presidency has been overrun with corruption in the past and present; the Senate and Congress are also amuck with corruption. It is sad to see that our government is plagued with such problems. What can we do about it? Well, it all starts with us really. Just like any problem, we first have to acknowledge it, the next step? Be resolved to take a stand against it. The problem with most people in the country is that they only go as far as to recognize the problem, what we’re lacking is the initiative to do something about it. That is the real challenge, which we are all called to as good citizens. We not only serve ourselves but everyone else, especially our country.
There are a lot of things that the government should be doing and should not be doing. The government, is, in charge of our country we, as citizens serve our government by abiding to laws, conducts and duties which e rightfully owe our nation and each fellow man.
To begin with let’s consider the DO’s of the government:
The government should watch over the welfare of its people, not only its citizens but also everyone within the country, which includes foreigners.
The government should promote the rights of its citizens and let them have the freedom to exercise it.
The government should be able to maintain healthy relationships with our nations and project a good image of the nation to its international neighbors.
The government is responsible for safeguarding the economic and political security of the nation.
The government should uphold law and order within the country.
Now, let’s look at some of the DON’TS of the government:
The government should not exploit its own people for personal benefits.
The government should not undermine the rights of its citizens.
The government should not allow economic and political turmoil go unchecked.
The government should not tolerate any form of corruption.
With some of these notes in mind, we can assess from our own situation that our government isn’t holding up so well. While our government is doing much of the do’s, it’s sad to say that we can see much of the don’ts as well. As citizens, it is our part to pay responsibility to our nation, we should vote responsibly and with care those individuals fitting our country’s needs.
What is the current state of our country? Well, some of us may already have a clear picture. Just tune in to the radio, read the papers, watch the TV news reports and one would have an idea of what’s going on. Whether we know what exactly is happening or not, we all know one thing for sure, our government is in trouble and that it’s not doing so well. We’ve heard all sorts of stories and reports, rumors and claims here and there, now and then. Yes, some are fact, and the others aren’t but with trouble always around the corner it’s about time we really got involved.
Truth of the matter is, we’ve got corruption. I know I’ve said it many times if a couple of other articles but we need to do something about it. Read the papers and it’s saddening to hear that international ties with some nations and organizations are weakening due to corruption. We as a nation are losing their trust. Why? It is because certain individuals within government exploit the weak for their own benefit. It’s almost always the case. It’s time for people to wake up and see what’s happening instead of idly going over the news day after day. We’ve all heard it before, it’s just disgusting to see how fine people we are allow our nation to waste away. We need to act in order to reverse the problem, which we are so plagued with. It is time to think, it is time to act. We can do it, we just have to tell ourselves that we should.
What can you expect during elections in the Philippines? Especially when it’s a national election. Everyone knows that it is not advisable to stay in the Philippines every election time, because during elections many unusual and unexpected things happen. Even though we are a catholic country, I noticed that throughout the national election many actions and words are not proper for a catholic country.
Many people all over the Philippines don’t take part in the national election anymore, because they know and expect that their vote would be useless due to many circumstances. Here’s an example of a person who don’t want to take part in the national elections because he knows that illegal Activities are very rampant.
Examples of Illegal Activities:
(Election Day)
Juan: Pedro tara na boto na tayo, gustong – gusto ko na bumoto eh. Para naman makatulong ako sa pag – unlad at pag – bago ng ating bansa diba? Hindi kaba natutuwa at makakaboto na tayo?
Pedro: huh… Are you stupid or what? Hindi mo ba napapanuod sa mga balita na ang dayaan sa mga botohan ay malaganap? Kaya baliwala din ang pag boto natin kung puro ganyan nalang ang mangyayri tuwing election, mag – aaksaya ka lang ng oras mo jan.
Juan: Pero hindi naman lahat ganun diba? Meron naman sigurong hindi mandaraya.
Pedro: Oo, meron nga, hindi ko naman sinasabing lahat ng kandidato ay madadaya. Pero masasabi mo kung sino yung mga taong hindi nandadaya? Hindi diba.. kaya wala talagang use ang pag boto natin.
Juan: Sabagay, siguro nga tama ka. Sige wag na tayo bumoto.
Another Scene:
Biboy: boy, boy lapit ka nga dito sandali. May sasabihin lang ako sayo.
Totoy: huh, ako ba? Bakit po? Ano po kailangan niyo sa akin?
Biboy: Gusto mo ba kumita ng malaking pera? Bibigyan kitang malaking pera, kung.
Totoy: Ano po? Sigurado po ba kayo jan? Sige po, bigyan niyo po ako ng pera, kailangang – kailangan ko po talaga eh.
Biboy: BIbigyan kita ng pera kung iboboto mo si Mayor Ganto.
Totoy: Huh, masama po un eh. Parang mahirap po atang mangyari yun. Kaya lang, kailangan ko talaga ng pera… sige na nga po.
“END“
The two scenes that I’ve just shown are just two of the many things that you can expect to happen during election days. Actually there are many things that you can really expect to happen during Election Day. Election Day in the Philippines is a very stressful event for the Filipinos, because it brings the Philippines chaos.
We’ve all dreamed of having a better country for our children to live in. A better place without war and corruption, without trouble and all the hardships of life. And we ask ourselves, why hasn’t our government done anything to ensure our futures improvement and make it a better country to live in? We still face major problems like prejudice and famine, and trouble in our economy is still rising. War against terrorism is still ongoing and doesn’t look like it will stop anytime soon. We ask ourselves, can a life without all these problems be possible? Can it be achieved within our life time? And what will it take to get rid of these troubles in the future?
We often turn to the government for these answers. We have been so dependent on them that we have forgotten who makes the real decisions to make our country better. It is us, the people, who decides what is good for our future. We decide how we change things and what needs to be done to do it. Through the highest position in the government, the president, we decide what to do in order to protect our future. But our people have forgotten that it is we who decide who the president should be, not the government. Our votes in the national election determine what our future will be. In short, it is our votes that can change the way our country works. By voting for our president, we do not just decide who our leader will be, but we also decide what kind of future we will have for our children.
Most often we get the idea that one vote, our vote, will not make a difference to the national elections. Maybe it is true, but can you imagine if all of our people think like that? We have forgotten how important one vote can be. We all get the feeling that our votes will not change anything. Even I feel that way sometimes. But we must remember that we all have the privilege to decide who our president becomes. And by that privilege, we have the responsibility to make sure that we do the right thing by voting for the right candidate to be our president. Because it is through our votes that we can change our future and make it a batter place. We must remember that the president is the highest position in our government and that person can do what he/she feels is right for our country. And only through our votes can a candidate become our president, so it is very important that we make the right choice and choose the right person to lead us.
So maybe if we stop complaining about how our country is not doing anything to help us and blame each other for the cause, we can realize that it is our own fault that we are having a hard time. The government is not the reason our future isn’t looking very bright, we are. Because we chose a person for his looks and fame, and we voted for someone just because his slogan says that he is about helping the underprivileged, we have suffered the consequences that came along with it. We have failed to see a candidate for his/her talent and abilities as a leader and instead have voted for someone because of his fame and reputation. We must all learn from these mistakes if we are to have someone worthy to be our president. Remember that if our government is doing a terrible job protecting us and is still filled with corruption, don’t blame the president. We only have ourselves to blame because it is we who decided that that person be our leader. So a few tips to remember before voting in the next elections – look for someone who truly cares about our country and wants to help it, not just any person because of his/her popularity in the media.
National elections are very important to a certain degree. For me as a citizen, it is the culmination of our cooperation and involvement with our government. It affects every aspect of our country’s standards. Every corner would have an impact. As citizens, it is our right to vote. It’s been given to us that even before we knew about it. As a country that is established as a democracy, we would decide what we think is best for our society to live in solidity because we are the ones being affected. The national elections determine the people who will be our next rulers and leaders for the next phase. Through it, with our right to vote, we can decide who will be those people. In my opinion, the elections are the people’s voice. It is our chance to finally have our say. The results of this process would be fair. The victors of the elections would become the influences of our society that is why it is significant. This is where our country’s fate lies. The national elections also show our responsibilities and initiatives for our fellow citizens. In my opinion, it also reflects our communities. Although some people will disagree with the outcome, as a democracy that focuses on the majority of people, it would still serve justice.
The national election of our country is near. At times we think to ourselves, ‘what are the best attributes or qualifications our leaders should have.’ Every country must have a leader. They must have a vision on what should our country should be for the years to come. They are the ones who will rule or look after us. They must know grasp the Filipino values to accommodate their promises. Looking back now, did we have an acceptable amount of leaders that did an adequate job ruling our country? The men and women we have now, are they making our country a better place? Or is it still the same as before? The men or women who will be the next pioneers in our society should be able to have a lasting effect. They should conduct effects that will enable change for the public. Our country suffers from crises and issues that need to be resolve: economy, education, health, agriculture and many more. Leaders should themselves in the people’s shoes to have a better connection with the ones you are having concerns on.
Following is the transcript of President Barack Obama’s Inaugural Address, as transcribed by CQ Transcriptions:
PRESIDENT BARACK Thank you. Thank you.
CROWD: Obama! Obama! Obama! Obama!
My fellow citizens: I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors.
I thank President Bush for his service to our nation...
(APPLAUSE)
... as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.
Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath.
The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forebears, and true to our founding documents.
So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.
That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age.
Homes have been lost, jobs shed, businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly, our schools fail too many, and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.
These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable, but no less profound, is a sapping of confidence across our land; a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, that the next generation must lower its sights.
Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real, they are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this America: They will be met.
(APPLAUSE)
On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.
On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas that for far too long have strangled our politics.
We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.
(APPLAUSE)
In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less.
It has not been the path for the faint-hearted, for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame.
Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things -- some celebrated, but more often men and women obscure in their labor -- who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.
For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life. For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West, endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.
For us, they fought and died in places Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sanh.
Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.
This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions -- that time has surely passed.
Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.
(APPLAUSE)
For everywhere we look, there is work to be done.
The state of our economy calls for action: bold and swift. And we will act not only to create new jobs but to lay a new foundation for growth.
We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together.
We will restore science to its rightful place and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality...
(APPLAUSE)
... and lower its costs.
We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age.
All this we can do. All this we will do.
Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions, who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short, for they have forgotten what this country has already done, what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose and necessity to courage.
What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them, that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long, no longer apply.
MR. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works, whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified.
Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end.
And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account, to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day, because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.
Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched.
But this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control. The nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous.
The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our gross domestic product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on the ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart -- not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.
(APPLAUSE)
As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals.
Our founding fathers faced with perils that we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations.
Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake.
And so, to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and we are ready to lead once more.
(APPLAUSE)
Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with the sturdy alliances and enduring convictions.
They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use. Our security emanates from the justness of our cause; the force of our example; the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.
We are the keepers of this legacy, guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort, even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We'll begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people and forge a hard- earned peace in Afghanistan.
With old friends and former foes, we'll work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat and roll back the specter of a warming planet.
We will not apologize for our way of life nor will we waver in its defense.
And for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that, "Our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken. You cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you."
(APPLAUSE)
For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness.
We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and nonbelievers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth.
And because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.
To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect.
To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict or blame their society's ills on the West, know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy.
To those...
(APPLAUSE)
To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history, but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.
(APPLAUSE)
To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds.
And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to the suffering outside our borders, nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.
As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages.
We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service: a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves.
And yet, at this moment, a moment that will define a generation, it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.
For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies.
It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break; the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours.
It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.
Our challenges may be new, the instruments with which we meet them may be new, but those values upon which our success depends, honesty and hard work, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism -- these things are old.
These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history.
What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility -- a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character than giving our all to a difficult task.
This is the price and the promise of citizenship.
This is the source of our confidence: the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.
This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed, why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall. And why a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.
(APPLAUSE)
So let us mark this day in remembrance of who we are and how far we have traveled.
In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river.
The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood.
At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:
"Let it be told to the future world that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet it."
America, in the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words; with hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come; let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.
