Democracy's Dark Side

This is a reaction of mine taken from an email-reply to a cousin regarding the sad state of politics in the Philippines.

We have to be pragmatic... that is democracy... the candidate who gets the highest number of votes wins the post, no matter how disgusting he is. There are these candidates who cry to heaven against crime and corruption, and yet we have here Erap (their leader) who I believe is guilty of the same and I'm just wondering why the Sandiganbayan takes so long to release the verdict! (From reliable sources whom I know personally: do you remember those midnight cabinet meetings where they gamble and drink and who knows what else?... they are true!). I'm not necessarily rooting for the administration, but I hate the hypocrisy of these people. The church leaders are also dipping their dirty fingers in politics! Endorsements by people like Mike Velarde, folks in INC, Eddie Villanueva, etc. give the wrong precedent. How can we be sure that they don't receive money or favors for their endorsements? I can go on and on and on... Sometimes it becomes worse if the losers cry foul and say they were cheated. The good people don't run for office, and if they run they lose! Maybe let's move to change the constitution, requiring candidates to be at least college graduates, or perhaps requiring them to go to a special school for politicians.

"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people" (Prov 14.34 RSV). Perhaps each individual should examine his conscience and maybe we can change things for the better, beginning from within.