Deprofessionalization

While the planetary trend is towards professionalization, worker groups conforming to a set of rules and standards, a code of conduct, there is an urgent need to de-professionalize our failing political system. We have unfortunately in our country, a most solid example of an oligarchy, resistant to change, bent on securing their economic and political ascendancy over a cowed and cynical people. They follow their own rules and standards and without exception, everybody makes a living from politics. Just as financial wizards in Wall Street squeezed profits from complicated derivatives without adding value, our professional politicians are adept in projecting an image of working for the common good when selfish interest is the operative lingua franca that drives this totally messed-up configuration. These people will not desist from performing the most crass attention-seeking gimmicks in order to gain votes. Every day is a campaign day and the ultimate objective is the perpetuation of power and privilege. Like highly evolved parasites, they continuously exact resources from society without adding worth.

Today, 32 more people became Representatives. An added expense of at least 3 billion pesos annually. We do not need more laws nor do we need more lawmakers. There are already enough vultures happily feasting on the carrion that is our country.