Given the “weights” people seem to be using to vote, my forecast is that the results are going to turn out as predicted. And while it does dishearten me, I guess I’ll have to accept it as that’s the “voice of the people” – which in turn vindicates my old claim that we really don’t deserve democracy.
I just want to go on the record that if Noynoy doesn’t deliver on his promises… those who voted for him are not going to hear the end of it from me. And the next time we talk politics, your opinions would be of considerably less significance. So your man better be the person you hope him to be – because I’m pretty sure he’s not. And thankfully, unlike debating the existence of God, we will have the answer if he’s indeed the man who could “fix” our country. If your “faith” in him was just that; blind, naive faith – or if it really was based on something more substantial (which I highly doubt).
In fact, just for the heck of it, I’m willing to make a bet: If Noynoy wins, and he does deliver – then I’ll shave my head bald. If by some miracle, Gordon wins, and he doesn’t deliver, I’ll do the same.
My only stipulation on that bet is that whatever it is Noynoy “delivers” – will be of no less caliber than what Gordon claims he (Gordon) could accomplish.
So I won’t be accepting the “it’ll take time” or “it’s not as easy as it sounds,” or even the “we can’t expect that drastic a change in such a short period” types of excuses for an answer. Because I know our man would never cop out to answers like that – he never had to and still got results – why should he start now? You said your man can turn this country around, then I will expect of him no less than what I am expecting of my candidate. I will want to see concrete end-results – not just “in-progress” shit.
You know why us people from Gordon’s camp are so “confident” about these kinds of claims even if they’re still in the realm of suppositions? 1 After all, a president hasn’t been elected yet. It’s because he has done them in a micro-level already. Like I said, wether or not that it’s possible to “port” his accomplishments to a macro-level (the Philippines), of all the candidates, he still has the best chances by the mere fact of having the experience of “trying.” 2 Even if only on a micro-level
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know by now that Gordon is the type of man that will get things done – even if entails being a hands-on type of leader (instead of passing the responsibilies/blame to others). Whether or not this “initiative/determination” is driven by personal pride (of not looking bad / failing), 3 He seems to be the zero-tolerance of failure type of person or simply because he’s just that capable, isn’t really relevant at this point. As long as that inititave/determination yields the results our country so badly needs, how can that be a bad thing right?
The reason why I’ll feel bad if someone like Noynoy wins is because when all is said and done, and when my fearless forecast does come true 4 That he might just be a slight improvement of Cory the only consolation people like us have left to say to ourselves is that “it could’ve been worse” (We could’ve gotten Villar, or Erap). This is so disconcerting because given the candidates we currently have, it really could’ve been better – so much better.
I will admit, I do not underestimate the urgency of not letting people like Erap or Villar win, so while the “winnable” argument turns a lot of people off – when it comes to the point that Erap or Villar winning, then I guess voting for Noynoy would definitely be the better choice. 5 I’m a realist first and foremost I believe I admitted this on my earlier blog post(s), however the reason I’m crestfallen is that since it’s rare that I actually am this optimistic about the possibilities of our country, I’ve realized that we actually have a shot at true progress – which, if you know me, I’ve normally been very skeptical of.
It just pisses me off that the country is most probably going to waste a rare opportunity because they’d rather elect someone out of sentiment rather than sense – and the reasons for my jadedness, skepticism, or lack of faith in our society will be proven right once again – when right now, there’s nothing more that I want than to be proven wrong.
I apologize to Noynoy supporters who are friends of mine in advance; because this is really addressed to most of you. I have no qualms about Gibo supporters because I truly believe that this election, if people really used sense over sentiment, should really be between Gibo and Gordon. And both would be fine choices. While still I think Gordon is considerably more capable and experienced than Gibo, I wouldn’t mind Gibo winning as he, to me, is the real “second best” choice.
Noynoy, Villar, etc. are all a distant 3rd IMHO as far as potential goes. So I will have to be honest that Noynoy winning… to me is just like Erap winning – the only difference/consolation would [hopefully] be that that he wouldn’t be as corrupt (or corrupt at all) as you say he is – but as far as actually effecting change in this country – I seriously doubt it. That his VP is more capable than him (admitted by your own camp) is a clear indication of that.
If anything, it would be Mar that could actually do something – but it seems Binay might just win. If that happens, the whole “balance” of Noynoy’s situation will suddenly go haywire; can he really control someone like Binay if they don’t agree with policies? But you know who could handle anyone regardless of irreconcilable differences? Someone who isn’t concerned with “playing nice.” Someone like Gordon.
So I’m hoping for a miracle… and I will shave my head if that miracle is given to me.
I hope those people saying they will hold themselves accountable for the leaders they elect could really do something that could make up for that mistake (should it be proven that they indeed made a mistake). Because let’s face it, there’s really nothing you can do once you set the wheel in motion and realize you’ve made a mistake. What else can you do right? Nothing, because the only thing any of us could’ve done is just choose the right man for the job, and we didn’t – we blew it – simple as that.
Mo Twister was right when he said that it really is the people’s loss if Gordon loses. And if people still think that’s an arrogant claim instead of trying to see exactly what’s at stake here, then we fucking deserve to fall further down the rabbit hole.
This going to be hard to quantify since the only way to measure this would be to have them both be president and compare performances to each other. Unless you’re in that position, you can’t really measure accurately. Just as while I’m good at car games on consoles I can’t really measure my performance vs. real drivers because I’ve not driven the actual or real cars.
How about measuring it against something that’s quantifiable? You can’t compare to Gordon because he hasn’t been President. So compare it against something else. Let’s say if elected, Noy should have lessened corruption by x amount or he should have improved our ratings against other countries by how many ranks, etc. Something like that.
Oh and with regards to what Mo said, you know how I feel about him. Hahaha 🙂 In any case, it is slightly arrogant to say that if Gordon loses it’s the people’s loss because that states that Gordon is the only savior of our country.
You said it yourself that Gibo is a good second choice. He still has a chance of upsetting the elections. So does this mean if Gibo wins the people lose? If so then he’s not a good second choice at all.
So a Gordon loss is by no means an automatic way of saying the people lose. It’s just plainly Gordon not winning. That’s all. The other candidates Noy included, have a chance of uplifting our country from the shit hole we’re in. It’s just how well they use that chance.
Actually as far as quantifying goes, I was thinking along the lines of having some clear indication that we’re headed the same direction similar to what Gordon did with his community projects (Subic, etc.) – cuz I’m pretty sure that would be Gordon’s goal.
So I wouldn’t require naman the country to turn into something like Subic any time soon, but it would be reasonable to see the signs of it going to that direction. An example is if Bayani was able to implement his aggressive traffic schemes as MMDA chair in such a short time, or Binay with his Makati policies as mayor, then anyone as president should have the power/authority/leverage to do at least same or even better. That’s a reasonable assumption right?
Yes, it may seem hard, but my point has always been that I have no doubt in my mind Gordon would butt heads with others if need be to get something like that done – because he has already done so – while being in a position of less power at that.
With regards to the people losing… I was trying to be nice 😉 The truth is that Noynoy winning would mean the people lost because they chose someone who was 3rd best, and considerably inferior than the other two choices.
Besides, that sort of rhetoric will not work on me my friend 😉 You know me, and exactly what I mean 🙂 Ang bottomline ko lang ultimnately is that we may seem “confident” or even “arrogant” in asserting our claims, but we do so willing to put our money where our mouths are so to speak (hence we’re willing to bet on it)
Also you’ll have to understand where I’m coming from; as I’ve mentioned above – my frustration is mostly because I believe Noynoy is a mediocre choice, when we’ve got two that are clearly better – if Mar was running for prez, then maybe even 3. Like I said nga, the feeling I get with Noynoy winning is “it could’ve been worse.” If Gibo won, the feeling I get is, it could be better, but this is ok na din” But if Gordon wins, of course I’d feel “Ok this is our best chance.”
But yes, this is all speculation – which is why I brought out the bet, to sort of prove that while it may be arrogant, the intention is beyond “arrogance” – it’s being sure. Sure enough to take a penalty if I’m wrong.
Ika nga sa trabaho, pag me mahirap na project… pero meron nagpupumilit mag-volunteer kse feeling niya talagang kaya niya gawin yung project. It may seem arrogant of course, but it means that they’re sure they can do something better than the others (and I personally have done that in my job and turned out I was right too). So you have to understand the sentiments when someone like Gordon has this feeling that he really can make a difference in context of people like me who think the way he does. We know we sound arrogant, but we also know and are sincere in our willingness to get the job done RIGHT.
In terms of “quantifying” Noynoy’s ability in public service. Consider this, he’s been 9 years in congress and 3 years in the senate. So tell me, what has he got to show?
Also the fact that he’s already 50 years old. No wife no kids. not even a key accomplishment in business or in politics. I’m not really sure why people are voting for him.
There should be a basis when voting your candidates by not just mere “HOPE”. Look into your candidate’s track record. Has he done anything while being paid by the Tax Payer’s money? Think Noynoy supporters. THINK!
Actually you know what. YES! Vote for NOYNOY instead. Para tumaas ulit dollar. more $$$$ for us work-at-home freelancers!
@James, there’s the rub talaga di ba? Pero it’s a vicious cycle when we, like Gordon, would point out the truth (that people indeed seem to not be thinking) They will disagree because they do naman, just not the right way. Ika nga they’re “voting for the wrong reasons” IMHO.
Naturally they’ll get insulted, and become more entrenched in their defensiveness and “resolve” for their candidate. And the sad reality we have to face is that pointing that simple fact out is really the only thing we can do; that they’re not thinking – because leaving them to their devices yields the current decisions we’re seeing; or if we go back years ago, it’s the reason why Erap also won (i.e. when we just left them to decide without trying to actively point out the fault in their decision making)
Kaya the only way talaga for any progress is to realize that they are voting out of sentiment rather than actual sense – and if they’re not ready for that – I don’t think they ever will be. And I’ll just take you on that last comment of yours: sana tumaas nga ang dollar because of it para meron tayo consuelo de bobo out of everything.
I totally agree with the years of experience thing. 12 years of doing nothing substantial – so 6 years of the same thing won’t be surprising. Eh doon sa probe interview ni Gordon about pork barrel he specifically mentioned the urgency of affecting change quickly by mentioning “we’ve only got one term – dapat kasama lahat para sabay sabay ang martsa”
He’s fully aware of the relatively short time a president in this country has to prove him/herself – and is still very confident he could pull it off – that really suggests he’s got a solid plan in mind that is ready to be executed. I guess it’s people like us who could fully appreciate that sentiment given the industry we’re in; we like clear-cut roadmaps as much as possible, and Gordon seems to have the most defined “roadmap” among everyone.