There are competing interests, but unless the next president makes the same mistake GMA did when she stole or “attempted” to steal the elections, he or she wouldn’t have the same hard time GMA is having. It is all abt perceptions, Ben. Bec a large number of people think GMA isn’t the president, how indeed can she rule? When you don’t have a cloud of doubt hanging over your presidency, do you think draconian measures are needed?

“a country where elective office can be bought and sold; where professional dagdag-bawas operators are in control; where false witnesses and fabricated evidence are cheaply available; where a culture of corruption permeates the society at large; where the rule of law takes a backseat to the rule of power, influence and money; is a country that is impossible to govern.”

Take your statement for example, with all that you’ve enumerated, it is clear what the next president must do to endear him/her to the masses. impossible to govern? only if the president starts believing that even before they have started their presidency. GMA employed political will on all the wrong reasons. perhaps the next president will find it in him/her to use it correctly.

a country where elective office can be bought and sold; where professional dagdag-bawas operators are in control; where false witnesses and fabricated evidence are cheaply available; where a culture of corruption permeates the society at large; where the rule of law takes a backseat to the rule of power, influence and money; is a country that is impossible to govern.

That makes two of us. My vote goes to Villar if he runs in 2010. Never to Drilon who’s nothing but an opportunistic 2-timing pig, or to Mar Roxas who was suddenly struck dumb after topping the 2004 senatorial race, or to Legarda, Escudero, or Pangilinan, whose emptiness is masked by crisp talk.

Villar has the statemanship none from the opposition possess. He isn’t a saint, but neither is he a scoundrel. He is shrewd, but his shrewdness doesn’t border on crassness like GMA and her gang, who thinks they’re being such smart-alecks when they bend the laws to their whims, using loopholes and downright strong-arm tactics.

“But before that, i wish she continues to maintain our economic growth, if not improve on what is currently being accomplished. i know the naysayers would not like that because they would rather win an argument than see the country avoid going “to hell in a handbasket” economically.”

Ben, not all of us here who dislike GMA wishes the country ill just so we could see GMA’s downfall. We all have different ideas, but most of us doesn’t criticize GMA just bec we want to “win an argument.” We all criticize her bec there is a genuine reason to do so.

“having said that, i don’t fault devilsadvoc8 for using personal circumstance as a gauge to measure the country’s economy..”

Thanks Bencard. We all see life from our own POV. That’s relativity. That is why even though GDP experienced historic growth, only those who directly benefited from it are jumping for joy. I distinctly remember the FVR years. Life felt easy then. Brownouts were solved (increasingly recurring now), businesses boomed, and corruption, didn’t pranced and parade like they were having a great time. Even when Erap took the helm, things didn’t take a turn for the worse as much as everyone perceived it did.

Maybe I was just too young to remember, but that is how I saw it.

having said that, i don’t fault devilsadvoc8 for using personal circumstance as a gauge to measure the country’s economy, but i have a feeling most, if not all, the naysayers that i’m referring to have as much, or better, net worth than mine.

devilsadvoc8 leaves me the impression that he will hurt, and badly, which may explain why he personalizes the economic metrics.

Well, how else could I make the comparative analysis except from my POV, drawn from my memories? I said that there was an explanation why I thought today was worser than Erap’s. And that was bec. of that. Assuming I am part of the regular Juans out there, and not of the MBC or corporate owners out there…

“what was that profound-sounding analysis for? you could have fooled me”

Which one are you talking about?

“anyway, thanks for the bonus answer. I did’nt need it because i didn’t care for “b.s” (as mlq3 would put it) even though it has some amusement value.”

Your welcome, and I’m glad I amused you. If my reasoning or opinions are wrong, let them rise or fall on their own merits. I know you disagree with everything I said, but why? You could correct me point by point you know. I am after all, just sounding wise but really very foolish inside. I know it would please you a lot to make me such a fool to everyone here. *sigh* indulge me please..

If I am mistaken, then I am.

anyway, thanks for the bonus answer. I did’nt need it because i didn’t care for “b.s” (as mlq3 would put it) even though it has some amusement value.

Gee, jeopardy is it? Answer: What is selective reasoning?
We seem to be missing one president, as if we skipped a timeline…

Ok, I’ll indulge you (sigh)..

A: Better off than Cory’s time, worser than Erap’s.
(only one explanation for this. MY purchasing power was greater in Erap’s time than today)

And that, is economically speaking. Let’s go on to the other facets of society shall we? Like peace and order, or peace and order, or — where are our KIDS goddamit! wtf do parents care abt stock exchange when majority of Filipinos aren’t even stock players? a rosy economy is worth sh*t when you’ve got your citizens disappearing like people in the “Left Behind” series. And as for that trickledown, I’m still waiting for it. So why don’t you solicit your “thank-yous” from Donald Dee and elsewhere ‘coz I surely aint giving it.