The Concept of “Considerate Accountability”

Posted by JoeAm on June 30, 2014 · 21 Comments 

A few blogs ago, I pointed out that legislators and regulators are in bed with lawmakers and so ordinary Philippine consumers get a runaround (“Regulatory incest in the Philippines“). Consumers have no power other than a vote every few years. Therefore, the Philippine economy is held back because consumers are not empowered to demand change, or to … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Laws and Ethics

The Philippines is now an English speaking nation; deal with it

Posted by JoeAm on June 27, 2014 · 60 Comments 

The term “deal with it” is an American idiomatic expression. It is normally used in a confrontational manner, as a final exclamation point. A translation would be, “tough luck, nothing’s going to change, so you have to accept it. Nyaah nyaah nyaah!” But I don’t mean it as confrontational. I mean it as polite advice. I … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Culture and Arts, Economy, Education, Family/Parenting/Children, Philippine Government

Maybe America should stop worrying about Muslim extremists and worry more about her own

Posted by JoeAm on June 26, 2014 · 62 Comments 

I confess that my confidence in America was shaken to the bone the other day when, innocently responding to a news article comment thread, I was besieged with insults the kind of which I never receive in the Philippines. My initial remark was eventually deleted by the editors even though it was not obscene or even … Continue reading →

Category Blogging/Journalism, Citizenship/Patriotism, Laws and Ethics, USA/Americans

How President Aquino can assure a win for his pick in 2016

Posted by JoeAm on June 23, 2014 · 41 Comments 

Thanks to reader chit navarro for inciting this blog. The Philippines is comprised of two distinct voting populations: (1) the middle class, and (2) the poor: The middle class votes based on security and opportunity. That is, they want non-corrupt leaders who can get things done and who give them promise of a better, richer day … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Philippine Politics

Spurs 2014 champion team is a blueprint for governance

Posted by JoeAm on June 19, 2014 · 13 Comments 

  By Andrew Lim I begged for Joe’s indulgence to allow me this short piece on the San Antonio Spurs’ recent championship in the National Basketball Association (NBA). This is not a sports blog, but the team had distinct characteristics that made for good analogies in geo-politics, economics and life in general. As disclaimer, I … Continue reading →

Category Citizenship/Patriotism, Culture and Arts, Philippine Government, USA/Americans