Comments on: Mining is all hers

By: cvj

cvj — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 22:12:34 +0000

UPn student, i agree which is why i said i am wary of any proposals related to Federalism. I think we're on the same side on this one.

By: UP n student

UP n student — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 15:25:45 +0000

Jeg, cvj and cocoy: always remember “divide and conquer” when it comes to national governments. Wouldn’t the Saudis be pleased if it only has to deal with a governor-here or a datu-there with slogans of “Mindanao for Mindanawans” and spreading the faith. Wouldn’t US-of-A prefer just to deal with a handful of governors in terms of negotiating for a naval or air base. Wouldn’t dealing only with a mayor, or 5 mayors, or 2 governors, be easier for a Canadian firm thinking of a mine, or a Chinese firm wishing to re-use one of its old coal plants in one of our 7,100 islands, or some warlord wanting to put up gambling casinos plus “related entertainment”.

By: Jeg

Jeg — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 01:45:45 +0000

I suppose thatÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s were groups like El Shaddai, Couples for Christ (aka Gawad Kalinga) and Ang Kapatiran are coming from.

Indeed. Now if only groups like them could get a hand on the funds the government is confiscating from our earnings, Im sure they would do a better job. The funds wouldnt go to ‘fertilizer’ and other similar attrocities.

By: Nick

Nick — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 22:29:44 +0000

Si MZ nalang…

By: supremo

supremo — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 22:15:45 +0000

tonio,

Pitchay alias petsay conceded.

By: cvj

cvj — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 10:16:18 +0000

As far as Gloria’s push towards mining is concerned, it comes as no surprise as other countries that have failed to industrialize (like Argentina and Chile) have also been reduced to what Alice Amsden calls a Return to the Land strategy. It’s something that we definitely can use as long as we’re aware that this is an inferior development strategy and mindful of the potential environmental costs.

By: cvj

cvj — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 10:05:44 +0000

Jeg, if government does step aside, then something like it would have to take its place. In other failed states, it’s usually a militia of some sort like Hamas or Hezbollah that emerges. I suppose that’s were groups like El Shaddai, Couples for Christ (aka Gawad Kalinga) and Ang Kapatiran are coming from. Others, those with less social capital, like Somalia are not so fortunate so the warlords take over for a time until some radical religious group gets their act together. Personally, i’d rather work on making the present government work.

By: Jeg

Jeg — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 09:43:39 +0000

The rest, cvj, is addressed by my second paragraph. If the government isnt helping the helpless and defending the defenseless on our behalf, then it has lost its raison d’etre. Maybe it should step aside and let us handle that as well.

By: cvj

cvj — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 09:36:57 +0000

Cocoy, Jeg, by ‘we’, i suppose you mean those whose lives have improved despite lack of government (i.e. the middle class). What about the rest?

By: Jeg

Jeg — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 09:12:56 +0000

why the heck do we need government for when people are working to make money, improving their lives?

I sometimes ask myself the same question. We seem to be working to make money and improving our lives despite the government. It seems that it needs us more than we need it.

The government is there to help the helpless and defend the defenseless in behalf of us. And if it isnt doing that, then why indeed?