Rethinking Governance: A Bold Proposition
Amid the labyrinth of governance intricacies, a radical notion emerges: could abolishing, rather than proliferating, government agencies be the antidote to a myriad of challenges? Furthermore, envisioning a future where citizens directly shape collective decisions, circumventing elected representatives, casts a new light on the role of institutions such as Congress. This shift relegates them to redundancy and bolsters the case for their dissolution.
Presently, the imperative to streamline governmental operations beckons. Instances abound:
Congress: A Mere Extension of Presidential Influence
Amid reports that House members gauge the President's body language to elect a Speaker, a disconcerting pattern emerges. This behavior implies a lack of independent thought and reveals Congress as a costly appendage—a relic of bygone democratic aspirations, rendering itself superfluous.
Judicial Languor and Political Careerism
The lengthy trials of Jinggoy Estrada and Junjun Binay epitomize judicial stagnation. Pronouncements arrived only after voter decisions quashed their political hopes. The languid pace of justice delivery epitomizes public servants as freeloaders, thriving in a culture reliant on private enterprise and community effort.
The Myth of Government Assistance
A closer look at poverty exposes a paradox. Rural toilers labor tirelessly for crops on lands often owned by landlords. Urban workers struggle with meager wages, while informal settlers subsist near dumps or beneath bridges. Fishermen brave tempests to sustain families. What the poor truly yearn for is equitable enforcement of laws. Government's role is simple: safeguard farmers from price manipulation, shield urban dwellers from unjust evictions, and defend fishermen's rights against foreign aggressors. In the absence of fairness, government becomes irrelevant to the impoverished.
Government's Waste and Stagnation
Resource wastage by the government often hampers its responsiveness and efficiency. Institutional amnesia and a lack of knowledge management exacerbate corruption, hampering effective problem-solving. Initiatives such as establishing a Department of Water Services signal the belated recognition of squandered opportunities. The National Water Crisis Act of 1995 sought to avert the current water predicament. Watershed significance is underscored: dams hinge on their supportive ecosystems. Yet, commercial interests ravage these ecosystems, necessitating costly rehabilitation financed by taxpayers.
Missteps in Governance Through History
A retrospective examination unearths unsettling truths. Secretary of National Defense Juan Ponce Enrile marred the forests of Samar while transforming the military into a personal army. The resulting intimidation curtailed resistance against the pillaging of San Jose Timber Corporation, owned by Enrile himself. In another instance, the Werfast gun licensing imbroglio, involving ex-PNP Chief Alan Purisima, exposes corruption hindering police modernization. This echoes in the military's growth—stymied by monetary pursuits, even arms trading with rebel factions.
Yearning for True Transformation
The tapestry of government is riddled with missed opportunities, whether by negligence or intent. This cumulative frustration begs the question: how long can citizens endure the wait for tangible, enduring change? The thirst for genuine progress intensifies as aspirations remain unmet, casting doubt on the trajectory of governance.
Redefining the Future: A Quest for Reform
In the intricate mosaic of governance, a call for reformation reverberates. An efficient, responsive government remains a utopian ideal. The proposition to abolish redundant entities and empower citizens in collective decisions echoes the spirit of true democracy. The quest for a streamlined, accountable government becomes paramount. To advance the welfare of the nation and its constituents, a reimagining of governance—one anchored in transparency, fairness, and progress—beckons.
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This is a rewrite of an article first published on 13 July 2019 with the title "Useless".
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