Jeepney is a symbol of Filipino creativity and resourcefulness.
The original Jeep was an American war equipment left over after liberation. The soul of the original jeep remains in the jeepney - Inventiveness and Creativity.
The history of Jeep as a car is as American as can be. During WW2, through US government bid and competition, a group of individuals developed an all terrain car that carried a tank of gasoline and transport more than the driver and ammonitions. But the mass development of the Jeep was awarded to a big manufacturer.
American GI's after the war raved about the Jeep and jumpstarted American's fascination with cars.
Filipinos too would have progress that fascination with cars post Jeepney but for the nearsightedness of government past with high tariff and restriction on imports.
Today, with a slight openness and reduction of tariff on foreign goods, maybe the Jeepney's history of creativity and resourcefulness will be recreated through Competition and create jobs for the creative.
Friday, November 11, 2005
Personal Mission
Love God as First Principle and Love my Neighbor as myself.
Promote Independence and Self Reliance in Filipino heart and soul.
Preach less Government, free Market of Ideas, free Trade and
Private Property Rights in the Philippines.
Work to strengthen Rule of Law - Natural, Moral and human laws.
Promote Independence and Self Reliance in Filipino heart and soul.
Preach less Government, free Market of Ideas, free Trade and
Private Property Rights in the Philippines.
Work to strengthen Rule of Law - Natural, Moral and human laws.
Patriotism or Nationalism
Patriotism from patriot, dictionary definition is one who loves, supports and defends his country.
Nationalism dictionary definition is 'Devotion to the interests or culture of a particular nation or aspiration for national independence'.
Patriotism is not the same as Nationalism. Patriotism is not equal to Nationalism. Patriotism is good for you and the country. Nationalism can led to isolationism, false pride of one's culture and bigotry.
Patriotism is new world, nationalism is old world.
In 18th century New world Americans call themselves Patriots. 18th century Americans had no century old culture to be proud of. Today, 21st century Americans still calls themselves Patriots. American culture is an immigrant mix from all over the globe, from every continent, from different arrival times and includes non immigrant, native Americans.
Nationalism is anthema to a nation's economic prosperity. Nationalism can restrict the most important factor for prosperity, trade and exchange of goods outside the nation's borders.
Nationalism dictionary definition is 'Devotion to the interests or culture of a particular nation or aspiration for national independence'.
Patriotism is not the same as Nationalism. Patriotism is not equal to Nationalism. Patriotism is good for you and the country. Nationalism can led to isolationism, false pride of one's culture and bigotry.
Patriotism is new world, nationalism is old world.
In 18th century New world Americans call themselves Patriots. 18th century Americans had no century old culture to be proud of. Today, 21st century Americans still calls themselves Patriots. American culture is an immigrant mix from all over the globe, from every continent, from different arrival times and includes non immigrant, native Americans.
Nationalism is anthema to a nation's economic prosperity. Nationalism can restrict the most important factor for prosperity, trade and exchange of goods outside the nation's borders.
Edsa1 People Power
Edsa1 People Power had global consequences!
Berlin Wall came stumbling down without guns and tanks. West and East Germany became one.
Soviet Russia's break up born several small countries as independent and democratic as the Philippines.
Communist China open it's economy and traded openly with Americans.
Today, some previously communist controlled countries have identical political history of pre-Edsa1 Philippines.
Today, Filipinos should look at Estonia's economic climate since split from Russia.
Estonia's contribution to globalization is Flat Tax, originally at 28%. Flat Tax enhanced Estonia's prosperity, it is reduced to 20% recently.
Berlin Wall came stumbling down without guns and tanks. West and East Germany became one.
Soviet Russia's break up born several small countries as independent and democratic as the Philippines.
Communist China open it's economy and traded openly with Americans.
Today, some previously communist controlled countries have identical political history of pre-Edsa1 Philippines.
Today, Filipinos should look at Estonia's economic climate since split from Russia.
Estonia's contribution to globalization is Flat Tax, originally at 28%. Flat Tax enhanced Estonia's prosperity, it is reduced to 20% recently.
People Power @ Micro level
Real and lasting People Power is establishment of Jury System in the Philippines!
Grand Jury - 24 jurors hears and ask witnesses questions to determine whether a case has broken laws.
Criminal Petit Jury - for criminal cases, with emphasis in 'reasonable doubt'.
Civil Petit Jury - for civil cases like embezzlement and corruption. 12 people, chosen at random, given the power to judge their peers guilty or not.
Real People Power with benign and powerful effect to all, even those who never been called to be a juror. Filipinos with time in their hands can watch Criminal and Civil court proceedings instead of protesting needlessly on the streets, learning nothing. Jury Trials are the best educational tool for non lawyers to learn critical thinking skills use by prosecutors and defense attorneys to plead their case.
Grand Jury - 24 jurors hears and ask witnesses questions to determine whether a case has broken laws.
Criminal Petit Jury - for criminal cases, with emphasis in 'reasonable doubt'.
Civil Petit Jury - for civil cases like embezzlement and corruption. 12 people, chosen at random, given the power to judge their peers guilty or not.
Real People Power with benign and powerful effect to all, even those who never been called to be a juror. Filipinos with time in their hands can watch Criminal and Civil court proceedings instead of protesting needlessly on the streets, learning nothing. Jury Trials are the best educational tool for non lawyers to learn critical thinking skills use by prosecutors and defense attorneys to plead their case.
Amend the Philippine 1986 Constitution
A Constitution cannot be too specific.
It will remove the ability of Filipinos to think for themselves. Too specific a constitution will remove the creativity of Filipinos to be self reliant.
A constitution must provide for Filipinos to think about their needs and laws to curb the excesses of those needs.
Too specific a constitution will remove the creativity of a LGU to govern specifically to the needs of the region. What Bohol need is not the same as Neuva Ecija's as well as what Central Visaya need is not the same as Metro Manila.
God Bless the Philippines...
It will remove the ability of Filipinos to think for themselves. Too specific a constitution will remove the creativity of Filipinos to be self reliant.
A constitution must provide for Filipinos to think about their needs and laws to curb the excesses of those needs.
Too specific a constitution will remove the creativity of a LGU to govern specifically to the needs of the region. What Bohol need is not the same as Neuva Ecija's as well as what Central Visaya need is not the same as Metro Manila.
God Bless the Philippines...
Economic optimism
For the first time in at least 3 decades, I am optimistic about us, Filipinos and the Philippines as a nation.
Adam Smith in 1776 wrote in 'The Wealth of Nations' that the source of wealth of a nation are it's people -their skills, dexterity and judgment- not gold and silver.
I went to Bohol, Cebu City, Ozamis and Manila last May. Visible signs of economic activity in every place I went.
At Bohol Tropics, there was a Math Competition for kids including several Asian countries. The hotel was full almost everyday. Internet access was free but dial up slow at the hotel. Internet cafe was a tricycle ride to downtown Tagbilaran and allowed me to use my laptop.
Took an air conditioned 'van-for-hire' from bus terminal instead of a clunky big bus or a private car to my hometown.
Few weeks before, the top floor of the market building burned down yet people were going about the business of exchanging goods. Enterprising Boholanos taking care of themselves for their own self interest.
A knowledgeable entrepreneur in Tagbilaran unlock my US cameraphone and installed a SIM card. I text and blend with everyone everywhere. Text messaging is cheap globally.
We went to Terra Azul beach one afternoon. The one lane unpaved road to Panglao was rough but worth seeing the ocean beach and the economic activity in that quiet island that I last visited in 1966. Dinner at beautiful and deliciously healthy Bee's Farm capped the night. Every dish had honey in it.
Economic competition terminated the supercut ferry services between Tagbilaran and Cebu. It is cheaper to go via Tubigon to Cebu. Demand will improve and increase flights to Tagbilaran airport soon.
Adam Smith in 1776 wrote in 'The Wealth of Nations' that the source of wealth of a nation are it's people -their skills, dexterity and judgment- not gold and silver.
I went to Bohol, Cebu City, Ozamis and Manila last May. Visible signs of economic activity in every place I went.
At Bohol Tropics, there was a Math Competition for kids including several Asian countries. The hotel was full almost everyday. Internet access was free but dial up slow at the hotel. Internet cafe was a tricycle ride to downtown Tagbilaran and allowed me to use my laptop.
Took an air conditioned 'van-for-hire' from bus terminal instead of a clunky big bus or a private car to my hometown.
Few weeks before, the top floor of the market building burned down yet people were going about the business of exchanging goods. Enterprising Boholanos taking care of themselves for their own self interest.
A knowledgeable entrepreneur in Tagbilaran unlock my US cameraphone and installed a SIM card. I text and blend with everyone everywhere. Text messaging is cheap globally.
We went to Terra Azul beach one afternoon. The one lane unpaved road to Panglao was rough but worth seeing the ocean beach and the economic activity in that quiet island that I last visited in 1966. Dinner at beautiful and deliciously healthy Bee's Farm capped the night. Every dish had honey in it.
Economic competition terminated the supercut ferry services between Tagbilaran and Cebu. It is cheaper to go via Tubigon to Cebu. Demand will improve and increase flights to Tagbilaran airport soon.
'Invisible Hand'
Filipinos overseas are God's 'invisible hand' in the presence of freedom and security in the Philippines.
Filipinos living abroad benignly assimilate their faith in Christ Jesus in their life.
Globally diasporic Filipinos will change the culture within the Philippines toward independent thought and action, self reliance and self discipline.
My natural citizenship is to the nation of my birth. I share my opinion and solution, compare the nation of my birth to the nation I acquire by choice. Lessons I learn, knowledge I acquire, skills I develop in my naturalized citizenship to my adopted nation with meditation and God's mercy I share with those I left behind years ago. If what I write improve their lives is a bonus.
'For it is Love that I desire, not sacrifice, and Knowledge of God rather than holocausts.' Hosea 6:6
'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' Matthew 9:13
Filipinos living abroad benignly assimilate their faith in Christ Jesus in their life.
Globally diasporic Filipinos will change the culture within the Philippines toward independent thought and action, self reliance and self discipline.
My natural citizenship is to the nation of my birth. I share my opinion and solution, compare the nation of my birth to the nation I acquire by choice. Lessons I learn, knowledge I acquire, skills I develop in my naturalized citizenship to my adopted nation with meditation and God's mercy I share with those I left behind years ago. If what I write improve their lives is a bonus.
'For it is Love that I desire, not sacrifice, and Knowledge of God rather than holocausts.' Hosea 6:6
'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' Matthew 9:13
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
The Wealth of Nations according to Adam Smith
The annual labor of every nation is the fund which originally supplies it with all the necessaries and conveniences of life which it annually consumes, and which consist always either in the immediate produce of that labor, or in what is purchased with that produce from other nations.
According therefore, as this produce, or what is purchased with it, bears a greater or smaller proportion to the number of those who are to consume it, the nation will be better or worse supplied with all the necessaries and conveniences for which it has occasion.
But this proportion must in every nation be regulated by two different circumstances; first, by the skill, dexterity and judgment with which its labor is generally applied; and, secondly, by the proportion between the number of those who are employed in useful labor, and that of those who are not so employed. Whatever be the soil, climate or extent of territory of any particular nation, the abundance or scantiness of its annual supply must, in that particular situation, depend upon those two circumstances.
The Wealth of Nations, Adam Smith,1723-1790. 1994 ed, Random House,Inc.
According therefore, as this produce, or what is purchased with it, bears a greater or smaller proportion to the number of those who are to consume it, the nation will be better or worse supplied with all the necessaries and conveniences for which it has occasion.
But this proportion must in every nation be regulated by two different circumstances; first, by the skill, dexterity and judgment with which its labor is generally applied; and, secondly, by the proportion between the number of those who are employed in useful labor, and that of those who are not so employed. Whatever be the soil, climate or extent of territory of any particular nation, the abundance or scantiness of its annual supply must, in that particular situation, depend upon those two circumstances.
The Wealth of Nations, Adam Smith,1723-1790. 1994 ed, Random House,Inc.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Minimum Wage is Wage Control
Wages depends upon the contract between employee and business owners, whose interests are not the same. Employee want to be paid more and business owner want to give little.
Supply and Demand dictates wages.
If there's more employees than jobs, wages will be down. Jobs that have limited qualified employee pool pays more. If jobs are plentiful, wages will go up to attract employees.
Morally, wages should not be below the amount sufficient to maintain a family of 4.
The main goal for all Filipinos, employee and business owner is job creation to increase 'revenue and stock which increase national wealth'. More jobs create more wealth, not a set of numbers to pay for those already employed. The number one jobs creators are small businesses. Minimum wage is a small business owner's clutch to pay within the limits of the law, not what the job is worth.
Minimum Wage removes business owner decision - how much to pay and how many to hire - to run his establishment. Owners will employ family members to save on capital or do it himself. Owners will hire 1 instead of 2 to do the work of 2 to save on capital. Adam Smith's Division of Labor theory for prosperity do not apply if one employee is doing 2 skills or Owner does what a hired hand should do.
Division of Labor is specialization for skill improvement to increase productivity.
In the end, all employee potentials and owners do not gain more 'revenue and stock' to increase national wealth.
Supply and Demand dictates wages.
If there's more employees than jobs, wages will be down. Jobs that have limited qualified employee pool pays more. If jobs are plentiful, wages will go up to attract employees.
Morally, wages should not be below the amount sufficient to maintain a family of 4.
The main goal for all Filipinos, employee and business owner is job creation to increase 'revenue and stock which increase national wealth'. More jobs create more wealth, not a set of numbers to pay for those already employed. The number one jobs creators are small businesses. Minimum wage is a small business owner's clutch to pay within the limits of the law, not what the job is worth.
Minimum Wage removes business owner decision - how much to pay and how many to hire - to run his establishment. Owners will employ family members to save on capital or do it himself. Owners will hire 1 instead of 2 to do the work of 2 to save on capital. Adam Smith's Division of Labor theory for prosperity do not apply if one employee is doing 2 skills or Owner does what a hired hand should do.
Division of Labor is specialization for skill improvement to increase productivity.
In the end, all employee potentials and owners do not gain more 'revenue and stock' to increase national wealth.
Monday, November 07, 2005
Productive Power of Labor not Natural Resource is the source of Prosperity
Prosperity depends on the productive power of Labor. The most important productive power of labor is Skill, according to Adam Smith in The Wealth of Nations.
Productive power of Labor means we, Filipinos, are the source of prosperity not natural resources of the Philippines.
Our creativity, our skill, our judgment, our decision making, our critical thinking skills are sources of prosperity.
Rich natural resources removes the incentive to rely on ourselves to prosper. Rich natural resources creates dependence on someone else to tap on that rich natural resource. Like spoiled, given everything, spoon-fed, ya-yad children, Rich natural resources kills the incentive to work, to creatively find work, to study things that work.
Adam Smith wrote that Skill in Labor produces excess products. These excess products must be exchange for someone else excess products for prosperity to both. The Philippines have excess college educated professionals - nurses, doctors, accountants, engineers.
Improving our Skills and education, open trade and open borders with other countries are lofty goals.
Productive power of Labor means we, Filipinos, are the source of prosperity not natural resources of the Philippines.
Our creativity, our skill, our judgment, our decision making, our critical thinking skills are sources of prosperity.
Rich natural resources removes the incentive to rely on ourselves to prosper. Rich natural resources creates dependence on someone else to tap on that rich natural resource. Like spoiled, given everything, spoon-fed, ya-yad children, Rich natural resources kills the incentive to work, to creatively find work, to study things that work.
Adam Smith wrote that Skill in Labor produces excess products. These excess products must be exchange for someone else excess products for prosperity to both. The Philippines have excess college educated professionals - nurses, doctors, accountants, engineers.
Improving our Skills and education, open trade and open borders with other countries are lofty goals.
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