Our discussions on reforms, revolution and Rizal will only have relevance when applied to the present ills of our beloved country.  Here below is my two-cents worth opinion of what's necessary to get our country out of its present sad state.

 

I believe true democracy can only be achieved with a knowledgeable electorate free from any form of pressure, and voting with its conscience.

 

So how can we achieve true democracy?  Free the people from crippling poverty so they cannot be intimidated and enticed into selling their votes on election time. 

 

We will begin with reforms, not political, economic reforms.  Clean up the government of corrupt officials, starting with the BIR and the Customs.  How much of the money collected from taxes and duties actually go to the government? 50%, 80%?  The point is much of this money ends up in the pocket of corrupt officials. 

 

Get rid of corruption, and the money saved can be used to pay off the national debt.  Having paid off the national debt will free the Philippines of the high interest we pay to the IMF and the World Bank (we will also be freed from their meddling in our affairs). About 53% of the Philippine budget goes to the payment of interest and principal of the Philippines' national debt.  (see Virtual Asia at http://www.virtual-asia.com/ph/bizpak/reports/files/ That's why the Philippines' budget is always on a deficit, thus adding to our debt ad perpetuum. 

 

After paying off these gargantuan debts, we then will have the money to encourage the development of a real middle class, financing small business ventures to help entrepreneurs, and agro-industrial ventures to help our farmers.  The government can also then encourage foreign companies to relocate their plants in the Philippines with promises of tax holidays and other monetary incentives, creating jobs for the masses.  Salaries of government employess will then be increased to the level that will discourage them to commit corrupt practices for fear of losing their high paying jobs. 

 

The Philippines can encourage its own people to invest in manufacturing high ticket items like cars, to create even more jobs and wealth for the country.  Such manufacturing ventures will encourage people to exploit our natural resources and export finished products rather than exporting raw materials so other countries can turn them into finished products which we in turn import back from them. 

 

Once our people are comfortable enough financially, then they will be able to vote without dole outs.  They will not be enticed to sell their votes for peanuts.  We then can elect honest government officials that in turn will improve our country even more.  The electoral system will be reformed so that candidates will finance their campaign from contributions from people, so not only rich people and their ilks can run for office, thus democratizing even our election.

 

I know the above proposals are at best pie in the sky.  It is as simple a solution as to propose tying a bell around the tiger's neck.  But I have no doubt the time will come for it.  who ever thought that the Berlin Wall would crumble?  Or that the Soviet Union would disintegrate?  I have tremendous faith in our people's capacity to change.  It may only be a matter of time.