Goodbye 2006, welcome 2007.
You can look at the past year like a glass half-full or half-empty.
We agonize over the casualties in the Iraq and Afghan war. Yet, we have been spared from terrorist attacks on our soil since 9/11. Fighting our enemies out there may have kept them from coming over here.
The price of gas peaked over three
dollars a gallon in the summer before settling down to just over two dollars.
It has disrupted many household budgets. Oil price notwithstanding, we still
have a low 4.6 unemployment rate that’s lower than the average in the 1990s. We
have a strong economy that is the envy of Europe.
Our land of birth, Philippines my Philippines has been battered by
devastating natural calamities. Over here in the U.
S. of A., destructive hurricanes have given America a
break.
What’s in store for us in 2007? Go get a
fortune cookie, buy a lotto ticket and have fun welcoming the New Year..
***
Toyota has surpassed General Motors as the top
car manufacturer in the world. If you think it’s no big deal, pause for a
moment. How is the decline of one of America’s industrial giant good for
the economy that provides food and shelter and security for us and our
children? Before you buy your next car, think of what you can do to defend the
viability of the economy that feeds you. There are casualties in the era of
free and globalized trade. But ultimately, the consumer has the power of self
defense. Think of opportunities for your children down the road. Think of an
economy than can support your retirement. Buy America.
***
To avert an apparent revolt by church
groups, the allies of Philippine Pres. Gloria Arroyo in the House of
Representatives froze their move to amend the constitution and convert the
legislature to a unicameral parliamentary system. The announcement by the House
leadership to hold back on charter change preempted what could have been a
spark for a return of turmoil in the streets
With the Senate a coequal chamber not
cooperating, the path chosen by the House to convene a constituent assembly
unilaterally was doomed to fail in the court of public opinion and the judicial
process as well.
There seems to be a prevalent belief in
the business community of the need to amend the Constitution to provide a
hospitable business climate for foreign investments. If the Philippines is to catch up with China, Vietnam
or Thailand
as far as being the preferred destination of investments, it has to temper its
protectionist provisions in the constitution, i.e. development of natural
resources, ownership of real estate and major industries.
The priorities however of those angling
for charter change, also known as cha-cha, seem misplaced. They are more concerned with eliminating the Senate and
switching to a unicameral body than anything else. The plan provides for a
transition period that will extend the terms of the currently serving
legislators. Pres. Arroyo could hold a title in the new system that could
insulate her from further impeachment proceedings. Even the little people can
see through the self-serving motives of the cha-cha advocates. Lost in
the shouting debate is the economic justification for charter change.
There is a need to revisit the
constitution, but the tactics of the Arroyo administration and the House
leadership to rush the process have made the people cynical that even good
faith efforts for charter change will be met with strong skepticism.
Pres. Arroyo of late however has again
expressed her desire for charter change before an audience of business leaders.
Good idea, wrong messenger.
May the star of hope enlighten those who
are hallucinating with political invincibility in the coming year.
Cheers to the Filipinos, whatever
notwithstanding.
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