The Philippines: a nation unplugged

Posted by JoeAm on October 22, 2014 · 28 Comments 

When people talk of infrastructure, we generally think of roads, trains, planes and ports. But there are four other components of infrastructure we should put on the table, right in front of the President and Congress: Electricity Broadband access and speed Computers in education Problem solving Now the first two you are probably familiar with. You … Continue reading →

Filed under Ecology/Global Warming, Economy, Philippine Government

Binay, the poor, and changing from a rent seeking society to a competitive society

Posted by josephivo on October 19, 2014 · 25 Comments 

By josephivo Rent The word rent has a long history. Here we use it in its more modern definition, e.g. according to Robert Tollison (1982), economic rents are “excess returns” above the “normal levels” that are generated in competitive markets. More specifically, a rent is “a return in excess of the resource owner’s opportunity cost”. Joseph … Continue reading →

Filed under Economy, Philippine Government, Philippine Politics

Two reasons why the US should hold an accused murderer in US custody

Posted by JoeAm on October 18, 2014 · 100 Comments 

Reason Number One A Philippine judicial system that is not based on reason, but on emotion and political influence. The attorney for the victim’s relatives, one Harry Roque, intends to lead the family on a storming of the US ships docked in Subic if the U.S. does not turn the suspect over to the Philippines. Mr. … Continue reading →

Filed under Crime/Corruption, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government, Philippine Politics, USA/Americans

A secular moral code to take the place of The Philippine Golden Rule

Posted by JoeAm on October 16, 2014 · 103 Comments 

It is a mind-bender for those of us who subscribe to The Golden Rule to recognize that self-dealing in the Philippines is an accepted moral value. The Golden Rule says: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” It is a fundamental value statement that advocates for kindness and consideration among any group … Continue reading →

Filed under Crime/Corruption, Culture and Arts, Family/Parenting/Children, Laws and Ethics, Religion

The Mad Mad World of the Binays

Posted by JoeAm on October 14, 2014 · 60 Comments 

From time to time in a blog, I elaborate. Embellish. Is elaboration fact? No, it is elaboration, similar to the way an editorial cartoonist draws caricatures to make a point. So in today’s article, I align some words to embellish . . . and make a point or two. No harm intended. No foul. Trust me. Every … Continue reading →

Filed under Crime/Corruption, Humor/Satire, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Politics