LEE KWAY YEW AND SINGAPORE'S RISE TO FIRST WORLD STATUS

Singapore is a city state. And that maybe one difference from the Philippines because it is easier to manage given the small size.

However, instead of kidding ourselves that we are homogenous from some fictional history. We should celebrate our diversity like Singapore.Hence my opinion of using our very differences as a strength to release our local energies.

All those local warlords in a quid pro quo of a central government that supports them will face serious challenges from local contenders once regional autonomy takes hold. Then gradually equilibrium will be achieved.

Look at Lew Kwan Yew and how he managed three very different cultural groups that at one time fought bloody battles against each other: Chinese, Malays and Indians.

Let us also not forget the Jews of Singapore like Mr. Marshall who was instrumental with the Prime Minister Emeritus in creating a fictive nation state thats thriving.

You also make a very good point on the elite. For the issue is not the character of the Filipinos per se. No one nationality is perfect.

From my interaction with a lot of ordinary Filipinos, I can proudly say that we are at the core hard working and business minded by instinct. It is not developed, however, because native people are relegated to fend for themselves.

For the very leaders we trust have no sense of "noble obligation" to them. I mean, not a hand out where "populism and progressive" are twisted to mean pandering to their vices and petty needs that are enabled, even if it violated the law, so that they can be used as instruments during election time.

But rather the environment to work for their interests because it means the elitists interest too will increase. There are corrupt elites in banana republics but they leave their ill gotten wealth in- country.

The Philippines does not lack people of brilliance and talent. It does need an elite that takes its responsibility seriously because they are in that position.

It takes two to tango. The elite does not always use force to maintain their status. They use the minds of the masses to accept inequality as their divine right to be "kings." And the masses only fucntion is to serve them.

bangkaw