“After each war there is a little less democracy to save.”
— Brooks Atkinson

In the Philippines, the repeated constitutional reforms pari-passu with the prevalence of corrupt practices, money politics, oligarchic dominance, and interminable insurgencies, the democratic framework is steadily being undermined amidst a burgeoning population expansion that must be fed and given employment.

This condition typifies a weak republic.

On the other hand, in other countries, which remain steep in feudalism, tribalism, sectarianism, autocracy, or monarchial absolutism, without previous or historical experience in democracy, the hasty insistence of introducing American-style democracy in these countries will invariably be opposed with vehemence that result in violence and civil war.

First, in juxtaposition, while we here in the Philippines have a working democracy that we eagerly try to undermine and destroy with politics and corruption, other nations, such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Myanmar, Iran, Libya, Sudan, and few others find democracy premature and smack too much of American imposition and self-sanctimoniousness, and arrogance.

For these reasons, the invasion of Iraq and the military occupation of Afghanistan are costing the US economy over US$1 trillion, and counting, over 5,000 dead troopers and many more wounded in a war of futility without any immediate prospect of democracy taking place.

Second, up and running US President Barack Obama likes to see his plate full this early by staring down North Korea in the Far East and gingerly intimidatingIran in the Near East without much success since his mandate and American foreign policy generally are, as everyone knows, being dictated by the Israel Lobby in New York and cannot even make Israel tow the line or obey orders which negate the moral ascendancy of the United States in the eyes of the world.

Aside from these big ticket issues, American pride felt challenged by the recalcitrance and obduracy of the Myanmar military junta with poor Aung Suu Kyi as the cause celeb when the junta just wants to be left alone.

On the other side of the world, Venezuela’s upstart and mercurial President Hugo Sanchez is constantly taunting the United States to take provocative actions while temporarily diverting President Obama’s attention to the pocket feud in Honduras whose sudden coup was executed without American permission which is a no-no.

When all is said and done, self-righteous Americans should allow non-democracies to first test the waters of democracy slowly and in their own time until tribalism and feudalism shall have been overtaken by economic development and education.

On the other hand, the same American do-gooders should convince Filipino politicians with firm moral-suasion to expedite without delay Constitutional reforms and save democracy before we become another Honduras, Sri Lanka, or Sierra Leone.

Philippine democracy is no longer the showcase or ideal example of a credible democracy in Asia.

You be the judge.
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HERE AND THERE

It is about time that the DOTC and the Toll Regulatory Board order the CITRA Tollways Corp. the operator of the Skyway, to reduce the toll from Buendia Ave. to Bicutan from R85 to R65 which is long overdue... The CITRA has been enjoying unconscionable profits over the years since the cost of constructing the tollway from Buendia to Bicutan had long been recovered though the project was supposed to extend to Alabang... Meanwhile, the political courting season has begun in earnest especially with potential funders and media practitioners... Start choosing your presidential candidate and good luck... For others, it is abandon ship... In the meantime, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has come up with “Scuba rice,” adopted from India, the FR13A, which can withstand 2 weeks of complete submergence in water in case of continuous flooding or severe typhoons... Traditional rice, though associated with standing water, will drown like other plants if devastated by typhoons, but not the Scuba rice which can survive from total submergence or with little water... By the way, mark your calendar... The 10th FVR-RPDEV Lecture Series is scheduled for Thursday, 16th July, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium of The RCBC Plaza, Makati City... Several of the presidential aspirants will deliver their presentations on the “Six-Year Socio-Economic –Peace Program”…..On Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at the Intercontinental Hotel Ballroom, the Manila Overseas Press Club (MOPC) will host the MOPC Senate Night with Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile as guest of honor and speaker who will speak on current issues, pending legislation, and controversies... Incidentally, the Embassy of Japan is hosting on Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. at the CCP Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino Little Theater a cocktail reception and “A Night of Japanese Harmony,” a classic concert in celebration of the Philippine-Japan Friendship Month... Abangan... (For comments and views, please e-mail: chaff_fromthegrain@yahoo.com.ph)