Expressions

The world must be really going to hell on a sled.. Sheesh.....

Lately, whenever I turn on the televison, listen to news, or even read the papers, I'm bombarded with the sorry state our society is in.. Killings, abuse, tragedy.. The world is full of them, so I hear.. It's truly sad and disturbing.. Even the governments of the supposedly civilized world we're in have also been subjected to intrigues and ridicule, and so has been the church where we rely for spiritual guidance and enlightenment..

For this I can't blame cause- oriented groups for demanding justice and order, expressing what they want through different media: the internet, periodicals, movies, music.. Some of them resort to the old- fashion way: rallies.. This is what has bothered me since I was a teen..

The Philippines, being a democratic country, has its share of groups marching down the streets expecting government officials to hear and heed what they say.. Our country has been famous for our bloodless revolution in 1986: the EDSA People Power.. Since that time, Filipino organizations showed more boldness in expressing what they think, using their united voices to demand what they think they should be getting.. We are, yes we are, entitled to freedom of expression, and there are times that we use this to get what we think we deserve from our government..

I completely agree; we need to say what we have in mind.. It also is what's at heart of a free country.. But don't you think that this right we have to express ourselves has already been abused? Time and again, our government has been exposed to unflattering issues that has tarnished the trust we have in our system.. I understand that but what I don't understand is that for even the smallest stuff, like an irresponsible commuter getting involved in an accident, or even the increase in the prices of global commodites such as oil in which our government has no control of, some people go to the streets and scream their demands? Isn't that a bit too much? Shouldn't we, the citizens, who are the foundation of our sovereignty, just work with each other in building a better community and therefore a more organized country?

Take the garbage collection system for example.. Yes, the government should set up a clear system in the collection, that's a given.. But wouldn't you agree that disposal and segregation of our wastes should start at home? And then our local government unit, the barangay system, should set up a recycling and compost- making center in each community to lessen the burden on our national government and in the end lessen the terrible effects in nature and therefore saving ourselves from the effects of natural calamities like typhoons and floods? Wouldn't that be a better matter to expend our energy on, to devote our time and efforts to, instead of rallying up our fellowmen, saying things that would stir up negative emotions and going to the streets shouting demands after suffering from floods or rains?

Working together is the key.. Not adding fuel to the fire.. It's better to look for a solution to each problem rather than pointing fingers as to who's to blame.. I heard a saying once from my sophomore year adviser: United we stand, divided we fall.. I agree wholeheartedly, don't you?

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