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

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 →

Filed under Ecology/Global Warming, Economy, Philippine Government

“Senator Poe gets it”

By JoeAm I was surprised to read of Senator Poe’s remarks at a Business World conference this morning. She actually made sense and drilled right to the point (rather than talking out of both sides of her mouth seeking to appeal to everyone). So as a regular critic of her mamby pamby populist safe zone … Continue reading →

Filed under Economy, Philippine Government, Philippine Politics, Technology/Internet

“Good bye, Hong Kong. It was good to know you.”

By JoeAm Those of us who have been around a long time can tell of huge changes in the way we were until now. Black and white television is now streamed Netflix. The farm where I grew up is now city, so congested that I have trouble finding my way back home again for lack … Continue reading →

Filed under China, Culture and Arts

Self-dealing defeats humanity

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 →

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

Rubba dub dub, three men in a tub: Albayalde, Lorenzana, and Locsin

By JoeAm There are any number of secretaries I could pick for this little lesson, I suppose. But I chose three whose characters and acts help frame the discussion. There are three forces that define the men and women of government high offices: (1) the people and institutions that shaped them as younger people, (2) … Continue reading →

Filed under China, Citizenship/Patriotism, Foreign Affairs and Defense, Laws and Ethics, Philippine Government