To solve Manila’s traffic, start with facts and goals, not the well-being of interest groups

Posted by JoeAm on September 16, 2019 · 92 Comments 

By JoeAm The Philippines is a nation run by interest groups, not ideas. So solutions are seldom found. Interest groups get in the way. Well, we need to crack through that barrier with a 10 pound sledge hammer. Here is my solution to Manila traffic, starting with a few facts . . . which are … Continue reading →

Category Ecology/Global Warming, Economy, Philippine Government

Self-dealing defeats humanity

Posted by JoeAm on September 2, 2019 · 51 Comments 

By JoeAm Democracy has proved to be rough going. It is a political process. Politics is agenda pushing, agenda-pushing becomes self-dealing, and self-dealing defeats democratic values. Human rights then get in the way. We see it in the US and UK. We are living it in the Philippines. Actually, the Philippines has had a self-dealing … Continue reading →

Category China, Citizenship/Patriotism, Crime/Corruption, Culture and Arts, Ecology/Global Warming, Economy, Philippine Government

Airport or ecology? Is the choice binary?

Posted by JoeAm on August 5, 2019 · 148 Comments 

By JoeAm The Department of Transportation has accepted San Miguel Corporation’s bid to build a new Manila Airport about 50 kilometers north of Manila (about half the distance to Clark). With four runways and eight terminals, decent proximity to Manila, and funded privately, the proposed airport is a superb long-term solution to Manila’s airport problem. … Continue reading →

Category Ecology/Global Warming, Economy, Philippine Government

The Philippines: a black hole of lunacy, lies, and unkindness

Posted by JoeAm on June 17, 2019 · 219 Comments 

By JoeAm I slipped into my Star Trek space machine to look down on Earth as if it were an alien planet. It quickly became evident that the creatures on this watery orb are not very friendly, and they are not very smart. Their time on the planet is ending soon . . .  they’ve … Continue reading →

Category China, Ecology/Global Warming, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Philippine Government

The Philippines in 2039, a vibrant neutral state in harmony with China

Posted by JoeAm on June 10, 2019 · 72 Comments 

By JoeAm We have some life’s decisions to make. We’d be wise to consider the future so we choose well. Right now, the Philippines is heading down the path of authoritarian leadership. That’s very different than democracy. Let’s project the Philippines forward as best we can. We are not statisticians and most of us have … Continue reading →

Category Crime/Corruption, Ecology/Global Warming, Economy, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government