Saturday, December 10, 2005

brain stuff

http://pr.caltech.edu/media/Press_Releases/PR12778.html

Brain activity of Risk taker entrepreneur and non risk taker, of course.

Friday, December 09, 2005

Capitalism and Democracy, Filipino style

Capitalism like Democracy did not originate in America but capitalism and democracy fits American individualistic psyche. One adjunct the other and vice versa. Leash and brake is God. Profound belief in Almighty God's power over all, the one and only source of authority in natural laws.
The three islands Spain relinquished to the USA after the Spanish-American War were Philippines, Cuba and Puerto Rico. Blessed by Pres. McKinley, USA paid $20m for the Philippines, kept it a colony with promise of independence sometime, gave immediate independence to Cuba and kept Puerto Rico a commonwealth colony.
Today, Filipinos ably rid itself of a dictator, a corrupt, gambler actor president and tries every year to impeach or overthrow the elected president. Independence granted Cuba had dictators for about the same timeline. Cuba imports medical personnel but only if the dictator want to. Filipino doctors and nurses with their private interest, self-interest, enlightened self-love immigrated and still immigrating to the US and overseas since the 60's. Puerto Rico is still a commonwealth with no personality of it's own, unable to decide whether to become a state of the United States of America or an independent nation. Capitalism and Democracy, Filipino style, in God's mercy, independent and self sufficient.

Saturday, December 03, 2005

'rubber barons'

In 1800's America,'rubber barons' were Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, Morgan or Carnegie. Some capitalist may not be in Adam Smith's classic model. They were important in the economic progress of USA in 19th century. Not much written in American history books by elite academics and liberal leaning writers. All started a business from meager beginnings to business empires. Today's 'rubber barons' are Gates, Buffet and Walton.
19th century Filipinos 'rubber barons' names like Lopez, Soriano, Osmena, Durano and today...
Capitalism works and it will work for Filipinos. Everyone work to increase three fold our God given talent and coin, in faith and God's mercy.
Increase profit and capital stock in each one of us increases the prosperity of the Philippines as a nation.
God Bless the Philippines...

first stage Filipino capitalist

In my book, all Filipinos that landed in the shores of USA are first stage capitalist. A few are on the second stage of reinvesting the Profits they acquired through their Labor, Money they spent acquiring knowledge in the Philippines or US and Pricing their God given talent in whatever endeavor suits the competitive market in the USA. The third stage is the hardest. By nature, we work as hard as what our needs and wants are. If you want a Lexus or a Humvee, you will work double to afford it. But a Lexus or a Humvee do not generate Profit unless the market value increase in the future. That Profit did not generate any Labor on your part, only Money and Price. Thus not an Adam Smith capitalist endeavor. However, if you work on that Lexus or Humvee to improve it in some way better than when you bought it, it is a capitalist endeavor. Sell it and buy another one with your original capital and part of the profit, then you are a capitalist.
God Bless Filipinos.

Capitalism in Filipino life

Attention: Filipinos exposed to good consequence of capitalism! First, be capitalist in the Philippines. Be entrepreneurs and employers in the Philippines with Capitalism as model.
Capitalism is contrary to what is natural. Man by nature only wants to earn enough to satisfy his want and need whatever that maybe and that's contrary to what capitalist do.

True and classic Capitalism

True and classic Capitalism never live in the Philippines. Filipinos and Philippines as a nation stagnate or digress in prosperity as a result. Capitalism principles are opposite to what is natural for us, catholic, guilt ridden, family honor priority, patriarchal, tradition bound and dependent Filipinos.
The good news is, many work and live abroad, since the 60's, exposed and assimilated to multi-cultures away from family influence and grew up - independent, self-reliant and self sufficient.
'To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.'
1 Corinthians, 11:7

Capitalism promotes individual responsibility

Individuals, left alone will find ways to improve his situation. Filipinos has been doing and are doing exactly that. Filipinos migrating outside the comfort and familiarity of the Philippines for their own need and want. From major professional brain drain of the 60's to present OFW. No Catholic guilt, a patriotic and Christ like endeavor. Bible verse provide rationale and needed critical thinking skill. Matthew 25:29, The Parable of the Talents For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. By itself, Matthew 25:29 is incomprehensible. To understand it's meaning one has to read the whole chapter 25. Reading the whole chapter, each one understand or absorb into heart different meaning. The knowledge you acquire reading 'The Parable of The Talents' will merge with what you already has stored in your cerebral system. Basic critical thinking.
For me 'The Parable of The Talents' is individual moral responsibility to increase what is given by the Lord.
Capitalist according to Adam Smith is not about accumulating money but individual passion to produce Profit by Labor, Money and Price. Each principle need the other to produce Profit. Profit is wealth not only to the capitalist but also to the community he lives in and the nation as a whole.

Capitalist Filipinos can change the culture of corruption

I am an optimist and I am optimistic of Filipinos and the Philippines as a nation. I see a cup half full not half empty. I am a realist and believe that the only behavior I can change is my own. Whether others believe and follow what I say and do is God's mercy. I believe that risk taker entrepreneurs are the real people power engine for real economic prosperity. People preoccupied in an economic business activity do not have time to subvert or be part of a useless rally and demonstration. A business undertaking is an all consuming endeavor especially the first 5 years. As Entrepreneurs organize as a group, their self interest will dictate those corrupt officials behavior and laws, for there will be more of them than government officials.

Capitalism for Filipinos

Filipinos are right for Capitalism. Filipinos have several capital. We need to revive and resuscitate dead capital.
Dead capital are properties not earning any rent, money in mattresses not earning interest or not circulating as a business capital and highly educated brains with no independence and self confidence to take risk starting a business. Capital is not only money or financial assets. The most important capital is your head, your brain, your thoughts, ideas, creativity in putting thoughts and ideas together for a business venture and 'lakas loob'. Starting a business is taking risk.
Filipinos are literate enough to educate themselves to minimize risk. Filipinos are Christian enough to curb the evil of capitalism - greed and prayerful enough to ask for God's mercy.
A capitalist in Adam Smith's mold look after his self interest. He make a profit from his capital, then spend the capital and a portion of the profit to improve his business. Filipinos understand the number one mantra of Adam Smith - Division of Labor. Finer definition of division of labor is specialization or repetitive work. Machines invented to relieve the boredom or burden of repetitive work. Filipinos must learn and apply the finer definition of division of labor.

Capitalism in a Federalist government

Capitalism is the engine toward middle class prosperity.
'Ambition must be made to counteract ambition. The interest of the man must be connected with the constitutional rights of the place. It may be a reflection on human nature, that such devices should be necessary to control the abuses of government. But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself.'
The Federalist No.51, 1787-1788. The Structure of the Government Must Furnish the Proper Checks and Balances Between the Different Departments
For a nation to feel progressive and prosperous, majority of individuals living in the nation, must be economically middle class in thought and action.
A Capitalistic mind is the engine toward middle class prosperity.
A Capitalistic mind think of profitability not money or asset accumulation.

Capitalism, Filipino style

Capitalism as define by a dictionary is an economic system, characterized by a free market and open competition, in which goods are produced for profit, labor is performed for wages, and the means of production and distribution are privately owned.
Capitalist Filipino is the 'invisible hand' instrument for peace and prosperity.
"For democracy to achieve lasting and sustainable success, it must also be nurtured by a vibrant economy and an ever growing middle class," Condoleeza Rice, US Secretary of State.

Friday, November 11, 2005

Jeepney

Jeepney is a symbol of Filipino creativity and resourcefulness.
The original Jeep was an American war equipment left over after liberation. The soul of the original jeep remains in the jeepney - Inventiveness and Creativity.
The history of Jeep as a car is as American as can be. During WW2, through US government bid and competition, a group of individuals developed an all terrain car that carried a tank of gasoline and transport more than the driver and ammonitions. But the mass development of the Jeep was awarded to a big manufacturer.
American GI's after the war raved about the Jeep and jumpstarted American's fascination with cars.
Filipinos too would have progress that fascination with cars post Jeepney but for the nearsightedness of government past with high tariff and restriction on imports.
Today, with a slight openness and reduction of tariff on foreign goods, maybe the Jeepney's history of creativity and resourcefulness will be recreated through Competition and create jobs for the creative.

Personal Mission

Love God as First Principle and Love my Neighbor as myself.
Promote Independence and Self Reliance in Filipino heart and soul.
Preach less Government, free Market of Ideas, free Trade and
Private Property Rights in the Philippines.
Work to strengthen Rule of Law - Natural, Moral and human laws.

Patriotism or Nationalism

Patriotism from patriot, dictionary definition is one who loves, supports and defends his country.
Nationalism dictionary definition is 'Devotion to the interests or culture of a particular nation or aspiration for national independence'.
Patriotism is not the same as Nationalism. Patriotism is not equal to Nationalism. Patriotism is good for you and the country. Nationalism can led to isolationism, false pride of one's culture and bigotry.
Patriotism is new world, nationalism is old world.
In 18th century New world Americans call themselves Patriots. 18th century Americans had no century old culture to be proud of. Today, 21st century Americans still calls themselves Patriots. American culture is an immigrant mix from all over the globe, from every continent, from different arrival times and includes non immigrant, native Americans.
Nationalism is anthema to a nation's economic prosperity. Nationalism can restrict the most important factor for prosperity, trade and exchange of goods outside the nation's borders.

Edsa1 People Power

Edsa1 People Power had global consequences!
Berlin Wall came stumbling down without guns and tanks. West and East Germany became one.
Soviet Russia's break up born several small countries as independent and democratic as the Philippines.
Communist China open it's economy and traded openly with Americans.
Today, some previously communist controlled countries have identical political history of pre-Edsa1 Philippines.
Today, Filipinos should look at Estonia's economic climate since split from Russia.
Estonia's contribution to globalization is Flat Tax, originally at 28%. Flat Tax enhanced Estonia's prosperity, it is reduced to 20% recently.

People Power @ Micro level

Real and lasting People Power is establishment of Jury System in the Philippines!
Grand Jury - 24 jurors hears and ask witnesses questions to determine whether a case has broken laws.
Criminal Petit Jury - for criminal cases, with emphasis in 'reasonable doubt'.
Civil Petit Jury - for civil cases like embezzlement and corruption. 12 people, chosen at random, given the power to judge their peers guilty or not.
Real People Power with benign and powerful effect to all, even those who never been called to be a juror. Filipinos with time in their hands can watch Criminal and Civil court proceedings instead of protesting needlessly on the streets, learning nothing. Jury Trials are the best educational tool for non lawyers to learn critical thinking skills use by prosecutors and defense attorneys to plead their case.

Amend the Philippine 1986 Constitution

A Constitution cannot be too specific.
It will remove the ability of Filipinos to think for themselves. Too specific a constitution will remove the creativity of Filipinos to be self reliant.
A constitution must provide for Filipinos to think about their needs and laws to curb the excesses of those needs.
Too specific a constitution will remove the creativity of a LGU to govern specifically to the needs of the region. What Bohol need is not the same as Neuva Ecija's as well as what Central Visaya need is not the same as Metro Manila.
God Bless the Philippines...

Economic optimism

For the first time in at least 3 decades, I am optimistic about us, Filipinos and the Philippines as a nation.
Adam Smith in 1776 wrote in 'The Wealth of Nations' that the source of wealth of a nation are it's people -their skills, dexterity and judgment- not gold and silver.
I went to Bohol, Cebu City, Ozamis and Manila last May. Visible signs of economic activity in every place I went.
At Bohol Tropics, there was a Math Competition for kids including several Asian countries. The hotel was full almost everyday. Internet access was free but dial up slow at the hotel. Internet cafe was a tricycle ride to downtown Tagbilaran and allowed me to use my laptop.
Took an air conditioned 'van-for-hire' from bus terminal instead of a clunky big bus or a private car to my hometown.
Few weeks before, the top floor of the market building burned down yet people were going about the business of exchanging goods. Enterprising Boholanos taking care of themselves for their own self interest.
A knowledgeable entrepreneur in Tagbilaran unlock my US cameraphone and installed a SIM card. I text and blend with everyone everywhere. Text messaging is cheap globally.
We went to Terra Azul beach one afternoon. The one lane unpaved road to Panglao was rough but worth seeing the ocean beach and the economic activity in that quiet island that I last visited in 1966. Dinner at beautiful and deliciously healthy Bee's Farm capped the night. Every dish had honey in it.
Economic competition terminated the supercut ferry services between Tagbilaran and Cebu. It is cheaper to go via Tubigon to Cebu. Demand will improve and increase flights to Tagbilaran airport soon.

'Invisible Hand'

Filipinos overseas are God's 'invisible hand' in the presence of freedom and security in the Philippines.
Filipinos living abroad benignly assimilate their faith in Christ Jesus in their life.
Globally diasporic Filipinos will change the culture within the Philippines toward independent thought and action, self reliance and self discipline.
My natural citizenship is to the nation of my birth. I share my opinion and solution, compare the nation of my birth to the nation I acquire by choice. Lessons I learn, knowledge I acquire, skills I develop in my naturalized citizenship to my adopted nation with meditation and God's mercy I share with those I left behind years ago. If what I write improve their lives is a bonus.
'For it is Love that I desire, not sacrifice, and Knowledge of God rather than holocausts.' Hosea 6:6
'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' Matthew 9:13

Wednesday, November 09, 2005

The Wealth of Nations according to Adam Smith

The annual labor of every nation is the fund which originally supplies it with all the necessaries and conveniences of life which it annually consumes, and which consist always either in the immediate produce of that labor, or in what is purchased with that produce from other nations.
According therefore, as this produce, or what is purchased with it, bears a greater or smaller proportion to the number of those who are to consume it, the nation will be better or worse supplied with all the necessaries and conveniences for which it has occasion.
But this proportion must in every nation be regulated by two different circumstances; first, by the skill, dexterity and judgment with which its labor is generally applied; and, secondly, by the proportion between the number of those who are employed in useful labor, and that of those who are not so employed. Whatever be the soil, climate or extent of territory of any particular nation, the abundance or scantiness of its annual supply must, in that particular situation, depend upon those two circumstances.
The Wealth of Nations, Adam Smith,1723-1790. 1994 ed, Random House,Inc.

Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Minimum Wage is Wage Control

Wages depends upon the contract between employee and business owners, whose interests are not the same. Employee want to be paid more and business owner want to give little.
Supply and Demand dictates wages.
If there's more employees than jobs, wages will be down. Jobs that have limited qualified employee pool pays more. If jobs are plentiful, wages will go up to attract employees.
Morally, wages should not be below the amount sufficient to maintain a family of 4.
The main goal for all Filipinos, employee and business owner is job creation to increase 'revenue and stock which increase national wealth'. More jobs create more wealth, not a set of numbers to pay for those already employed. The number one jobs creators are small businesses. Minimum wage is a small business owner's clutch to pay within the limits of the law, not what the job is worth.
Minimum Wage removes business owner decision - how much to pay and how many to hire - to run his establishment. Owners will employ family members to save on capital or do it himself. Owners will hire 1 instead of 2 to do the work of 2 to save on capital. Adam Smith's Division of Labor theory for prosperity do not apply if one employee is doing 2 skills or Owner does what a hired hand should do.
Division of Labor is specialization for skill improvement to increase productivity.
In the end, all employee potentials and owners do not gain more 'revenue and stock' to increase national wealth.

Monday, November 07, 2005

Productive Power of Labor not Natural Resource is the source of Prosperity

Prosperity depends on the productive power of Labor. The most important productive power of labor is Skill, according to Adam Smith in The Wealth of Nations.
Productive power of Labor means we, Filipinos, are the source of prosperity not natural resources of the Philippines.
Our creativity, our skill, our judgment, our decision making, our critical thinking skills are sources of prosperity.
Rich natural resources removes the incentive to rely on ourselves to prosper. Rich natural resources creates dependence on someone else to tap on that rich natural resource. Like spoiled, given everything, spoon-fed, ya-yad children, Rich natural resources kills the incentive to work, to creatively find work, to study things that work.
Adam Smith wrote that Skill in Labor produces excess products. These excess products must be exchange for someone else excess products for prosperity to both. The Philippines have excess college educated professionals - nurses, doctors, accountants, engineers.
Improving our Skills and education, open trade and open borders with other countries are lofty goals.

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

Flat tax for Filipinos...

'Every tax ought to be convenient for the contributor to pay it. Every tax ought to take out and to keep out of the pockets of the people as little as possible' Adam Smith, The Wealth of Nation, 1776.
Philippines need Flat Tax (13%)for convenient tax collection. Flat Tax reduce tax evasion because the simplicity of tax payment removes the incentive to discount the government. Every income above 15,000 pesos, pays 13% tax. eVAT may continue to curb consumption as well as tax tourist and non-income producers but addicted consumers.

Flat Tax, Jury System & Federalism for Filipino prosperity...

1. Flat tax of 13% (plus eVAT) for incomes over P15,000.
2. Jury System for all criminal and civil crimes.
3. Federalism or Independent provincial governments. Every province with a governor must have it's own constitution, it's own Supreme Court, collects it's own taxes and govern it's own people.
Prosperity for Filipinos guaranteed in 2-4 years after implementation of the above three initiatives.

Monday, October 10, 2005

Adam Smith & Filipino Nurses, continuation

Philippine laws, regulations and family responsibilities must not prevent these excess nurses/doctors from exchanging their skills in the global health market. Government mandated Regulations to new graduate nurses/doctors to practice in the Philippines for a number of years after graduation is anathema to Adam Smith principles.
The Wealth of Nations, Chapter 11, First paragraph, says...
'This division of labor, from which so many advantages are derived, is not originally the effect of any human wisdom, which foresees and intends that general opulence to which it gives occasion. It is necessary, though very slow and gradual, consequence of a certain propensity in human nature which has in view no such extensive utility; the propensity to truck, barter and exchange one thing for another.'
5-10 years after graduation is a long time to catch up with current nursing practice abroad. Passing licensure exams abroad 5-10 yrs after graduation will be a strain. Smart nurses/doctors are rob of their financial ability to earn as much as their skills bear. These smart nurses/doctors are generous in supporting families and siblings in the Philippines. The longer you keep them from earning the max abroad,the poorer their siblings and family will be and indirectly, the nation's $ reserve.
Demand for smart nurses are not constant. Some years, demand is great, some years nil. Supply and demand applies to smart nurses as much as all economic forces.
Government's role is to protect it's citizen and the nation, to enact & enforce laws to maintain order. Government must maintain open and transparent transactions in all branches - executive, legislative & judiciary - less taxes, more open trade and less regulations. The less government is involve with our lives, the more independent and self-reliant, we, Filipinos becomes.
Again, keep government regulations to the minimum, please...

Adam Smith & Filipino nurses

Adam Smith wrote in 1776 (The Wealth of Nations): "The natural effort of every individual to better his own condition, when suffered to exert itself with freedom and security, is so powerful a principle,that it is alone and without any assistance, not only capable of carrying on the society to wealth and prosperity, but of surmounting a hundred impertinent obstructions with which the folly of human laws too often incumbers its operation."
In other words, each one of us, inherently or unconsciously, will look after our own needs and wants, with or without government intervention.
Filipino nurses/doctors work abroad because the demand for nurses/doctors are abroad. It's Market Forces extolled by Adam Smith in 1776. Philippine schools produced nurses/doctors in excess of market need in the Philippines. Adam Smith's Division of Labor created those excess nurses/doctors. These excess created the need to exchange. It started as an exchange program for nurses/doctors. Both parties, Filipino nurses/doctors and US health facilities benefited. Filipino nurses/doctors in United States prospered in comparison to those who remain in the Philippines. US health facilities expanded in different directions even with closure/mergers of US schools of nursing and declining birth rate due to abortion and natural tendencies.
Freedom from familial tradition, Filipino nurses/doctors 'Skill, Dexterity and Judgment' emerged.
The Philippine GDP/PPP must increase to pay those nurses/doctors their market skills' worth.
The government can not increase GDP/PPP. The government only hinders growth with high taxes, over regulation of trade and non enforcement of law and order to curb corruption.
In the '60's, United States open the spigot of immigration to recruit nurses to take care of Americans with Medicare and private insurance coverage. Nurses from Ireland and Philippines preferred because of similarity in training and English.

Sunday, October 09, 2005

High productivity means prosperity

Prosperity depends on the productive power of Labor of which the most important is Skill, according to Adam Smith in 1776, The Wealth of Nations.
Productive power of Labor means we the people, is the source of prosperity not natural resources of the land. Our creativity, our skill, our judgment, out decision making, our critical thinking skills are the source of prosperity. Rich natural resources removes the incentive of people to rely on their own selves to prosper. Rich natural resources creates dependence on someone else to tap on that rich natural resource. Rich natural resources is an illusion of something that will always be their and there is no reason to hurry. Like children of rich parents, Rich natural resources kills the incentive to work, to creatively find work, to study things that work.
Adam Smith wrote that Skill in Labor produces excess products. These excess products must be exchange for someone else excess products in order for both to prosper.
The Philippines, as a result of quality education instilled by American teachers early in the century, have excess college educated professionals - nurses, doctors, accountants, engineers - which the natural Filipino economy could not sustain.
Creative minds to tap those natural resources are in short supply because of many government regulations, corruptive behavior of parents and superiors and low tolerance for risk.
However, those professionals were creative enough to know the market for their productive skills is in United States of America, who had educated our parents in English with American textbooks and standards. Now, these professinals have an obligation to give back to Filipinos left behind in the Philippines, not monetarily but relatively by example, by investing time and effort mentoring or starting a small enterprise.

Corruption is a moral issue...

Corruption do not cause poverty and Poverty do not cause corruption.
The Poor will always be with us says the Bible.
Adam Smith in 1776, The Wealth of Nations, wrote that 'A nation's wealth is in proportion to the different creative abilities of people not the quantity of gold.
We, the people, individually, make the difference on the prosperity of the Philippines. Every branch - Executive, Legislative & Judiciary must reduce taxes, simplify business permits and license applications. Requirements to form a corporation should be simplified. Government do not create wealth. Government do not create jobs. Business, especially small business create jobs and create wealth. Wealth is created by adding to a Capital. Wealth starts with Capital - human (our brain creates ideas, our sweat and callous hands)capital, economic (assets and real estate)capital, social (interaction skills)capital. One or two of these Capitals are needed in business. Money or economic capital is not the only Capital needed to start an enterprise.
No Capital, No wealth. Business (small to big, individual or corporation) create wealth creating jobs. Less regulated business grows in all directions.
Best examples are Computers and Internet. Computer and Internet were develop by US govt employees. Computer and Internet in infancy were open source. Creative entrepreneurs, some moral, some not, grow and expanded exponentially Computers and Internet in all direction - mega, micro, mini, data, voice, graphics, business, law enforcement,private & public. Creative both in making money and user application design. Today, US government only oversee a privately owned Internet domain registry.
Corrupt United Nations is trying to grab and control the Internet domain registry. Shame the United Nations! Every individual from every nation must prevent UN officials from corrupting what is left of computers and internet open source culture.
US government return of investments are taxes collected from computer and internet entrepreneurs.
It's us, God created individuals, creating, adding Capital provided by God. Government role is to protect us from killing each other or from terrorist. We are all sinners and corruptible. The solution is check and balance. Plenary indulgence is not enough. Corruption is not the reason the Philippines is not a prosperous country. Corruption is obvious because the Philippines is not a prosperous country. Philippines not a prosperous country because we allow the government to control and run our lives. We allow the government to control our lives because it is easier to let someone else make our decisions. We allow the government to make our decisions so we can blame the government if the results of those decisions are unsatisfactory. It is easier to blame someone else than blame ourselves!!!

Thursday, August 04, 2005

a tax in any other name is still a tax!

from bworld.com.ph today, Friday, August 5, 2005
Finance department admitted VAT (value-added tax) on communication tax, overseas calls and text messages maybe double taxation!
President Arroyo and the Philippine Congress must cut taxes to increase BIR collections! As President Bush tax cuts of 2001 and 2003 showed, the less you tax businesses and consumers, the more taxes are paid in the coffers! As Adam Smith wrote in 'The Wealth of Nations' in 1776,- the natural effort of every individual is to better his own condition - applies to all generation of all nations. Filipinos left alone, will spend money that belong to them to begin with, in ways to better their lives.

No for Parliamentary Philippines!!!

Parliamentary is Not good for the Philippines because Parliamentary lacks the check and balance of governance. Executive & Legislative representing the government are one party or coalition in a Parliamentary. There must be 'Separation of Power' between Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches for check and balance. Sometimes there's gridlock but 'Sovereignty of the People' as mandated in the Constitution is better serve. Local governments must be independent as mandated by the Constitution by enforcing Federalism and statehood of Regions presently divided by COMELEC. Federalism will strengthen the national government. Local Independence and self governance are incentives for creativity. To strengthen 'Sovereignty of the People' add peoples voices in the Judiciary branch through enactment of 'Jury Trials for all Crimes' either by petition in local and national government, to Congress, to Rules of Court of the Supreme Court or to President Arroyo. 23 Filipinos on the Grand Jury, 12 in Criminal and Civil Trial have front seat view of how judges and lawyers think critically to arrive at their conclusions and opinions. Incrementally through Jury Trial, 23 Filipinos on the Grand Jury, 12 in Criminal and Civil Trials every day, 5 days a week, in every court house in every town, city and province in the theater of a court room. That's a good thing for all Filipinos.

too many holidays in the Philippines!

There's too many holidays in the Philippines. This is not good for the 'Power of Productivity'. There should be only one official holiday a month or twelve a year. Business owners should be given the flexibility to give their employees extra time off accordingly.
Business manufacturers in today's headline of Business World - (http://www.bworld.com.ph ) want all Official Holidays listed at least six months in advance of the coming calendar year so they can plan ahead. Businesses should not be mandated to pay Overtime on holiday not listed in advance.
The 'Power of Productivity' affects us all - manufacturers, employees of business and manufacturers, consumers and in betweens.

Tuesday, August 02, 2005

Federalist States, Yes but No Parliamentary for Filipinos!

Federalism will strengthen the local governments of towns, poblacions, cities and provinces. Independence and self-governance will extract local creative juices for the governed. Then, during the Constitutional assembly, amend the Rules of Court, enact by petition or legislative action of congress or President Arroyo recommends 'Jury Trial for All Crimes' to serve as a curb for corruptive activities.

Saturday, July 23, 2005

Strengthen the Sovereignty of the People

'Sovereignty of the People' constitutional mandate is in several Articles of 1987 Constitution of the Philippines:
1. Preamble, Article ll, Sec 1 - The Philippines is a democratic and republican State. Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them.
2. Bill of Rights, Article lll, Sec 1 - No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of the laws.
Sec 16 - All persons shall have the right to a speedy disposition of their cases before all judicial, quasi-judicial, or administrative bodies will be true in all branches of the government.
3. Accountability of Public Officers, Article XI, Sec 1 - Public officers and employees must be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, efficiency and justice.

For 'Sovereignty of the People' to be strong, Filipino voices in the three branches of government - Executive, Legislative and Judiciary- must be equal. Filipinos must have equal representation in the three branches of the government. Filipinos have no direct representation, that's protected by the Constitution, to the Judiciary Department. Only indirect representation through Article V (Suffrage). Filipinos vote for the President, who appoints the Judiciary. Filipinos vote for people in Congress, who have the power to define, prescribe, and apportion the judiciary. Judiciaries are appointments of the Executive branch, mandated by Article Vlll, Section 9 - Judges of the Supreme Court and lower courts appointed by the President.
Article XI, Accountability of Public Officers, has no Articles, Sections or Acts to connect law abiding Filipinos to the business of public trust, accountability, responsibility, integrity, loyalty and efficiency of Public officials.

Filipinos direct connection to the Judiciary branch are only as defendants or plaintiffs in a court case.

The Constitution provides check and balance through Article XVII - Amendments or Revisions. To strengthen the 'Sovereignty of Filipino People' we must include 'Jury Trial for all Crimes except Impeachment' in the Constitution of the Philippines.

'Jury Trial for all Crimes except Impeachment' will strengthen Sovereignty of the People if implemented by constitutionally.
Jury Trial for all Crimes except Impeachment will strengthen Sovereignty of the People through law and justice education participating in the Jury System.

In a Jury System, 12 Jurors in Civil and Criminal courts or 23 Jurors in a Grand Jury can observe, listens and follow the judge's instructions, observe, listens to prosecutors and defense attorneys argue the case instead of one defendant and one plaintiff in one court case. How many defendants or plaintiffs are there in a court case? Only a few. Filipinos in barangays, poblacions, cities and provinces directly interacts with Judges, Prosecutors and Defense attorneys as law abiding citizens in the conduct of law and justice. These raises the level of awareness of jurors' civic responsibility. Outcome of the prosecution and defense of a case not only depend on the judge, prosecuting and defense attorney but also on the jury - the twelve people on the jury - that's people power in a micro level. Determination whether there's enough evidence to prosecute a case depends on the 23 people on the Grand Jury, the judge and the attorneys - that's people power at a micro level.

Learning through experience is the best teacher of the law. Learning law and justice, as a law abiding juror removes the bias anger or satisfaction of a defendant or a plaintiff.

'Jury Trial for all Crimes except Impeachment' can be constitutionally Initiated by:
1. Article XVII, Section 1 - Any amendment or revision Constitution may be proposed by three-fourths of all Members of Congress or constitutional convention.
2. Article XVII, Section 2 - Amendments may be proposed by the people through initiative upon a petition of at least 12 % of the total number of registered voters, every legislative district represented by at least 3 % of the registered voters . Amendment allowed once every five years since ratification in 1987.
3. Article VIII, Section 5 - Supreme Court have the powers to Promulgate rules concerning the protection and enforcement of constitutional rights, pleading, practice, and procedure in all courts, the admission to the practice of law, the Integrated Bar, and legal assistance to the underprivileged. Such rules shall provide a simplified and inexpensive procedure for the speedy disposition of cases, shall be uniform for all courts of the same grade, and shall not diminish, increase, or modify substantive rights. Rules of procedure of special courts and quasi-judicial bodies shall remain effective unless disapproved by the Supreme Court.
4. Article X, Section 14 - The President shall provide for purposes of administrative decentralization to strengthen the autonomy, to accelerate the economic, social growth and development of local governments.

Constitutional initiation of 'Jury Trial for all Crimes except Impeachment' is a lengthy and creative process.

Thursday, July 21, 2005

'Sovereignty of the People’

The principle of ‘Sovereignty of the People’ has been sowed and planted in the Philippines.
To sprout and grow the 'Sovereignty of the People', cultivate the residents in towns and barangay by Enacting, Adding or Amending the Judicial Department of the Constitution of the Philippines.
Add a Section, Article or Provision for Trial by Jury for all Crimes – Criminal or Civil except Impeachment.
Even China use jury trial system to reform its judiciary, make trials fair and accountable according to a recent news item. http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/China_introduces_new_jury_trial_system

Article II - Declaration of Principles and State Policies Principles Section 5 states:
The maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty, and property, and the promotion of the general welfare are essential for the enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of democracy.
Article VIII - Judicial Department Section 2 states:
The Congress shall have the power to define, prescribe, and apportion the jurisdiction of various courts but may not deprive the Supreme Court of its jurisdiction over cases enumerated in Section 5 hereof.
No law shall be passed reorganizing the Judiciary when it undermines the security of tenure of its Members.
For more information on 1983 Constitution of the Philippines link to:
http://www.gov.ph/aboutphil/constitution.asp

Constitution of the United States, Article lll, Section 2, paragraph 3 says:
‘The Trial of all Crimes except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed.’
There are three juries in the US - grand jury, criminal petit jury and civil petit jury. Twelve people, chosen at random, given the power to decide for the people, whether a person or enterprise is guilty or not. That’s people power at micro level.
http://www.crfc.org/americanjury/introduction.html
This simple but complicated system if adopted will strengthen the Sovereignty of People. We already have a Judiciary Department in the Constitution but no Trial by Jury.

It has advantages and disadvantages.
(Excerpt of Alexis de Tocqueville's Democracy in America, on 'The Jury in the United States Considered as a Political Institution' is in another post)
1. It is much harder to instill fear, corrupt or bribe twelve people than one judge on the bench. Cost of set up and administration is cheaper than one corrupt judge in one town. Drug cartel and organized crime tried a few times with low level of success in a Jury system. Just too many people to threaten, to bribe or to get acquainted with in order to threaten or to bribe.
2. It is easier to find a driven, overzealous and upright prosecutor or defense attorney because their performance and reward depend on the outcome of the case. Examples: Guiliani vs organized crimes years ago and today’s conviction of the CEO of Worldcom. Guiliani became Mayor Rudy and will see who will run for governor of New York next election.
3. Trial by Jury influences all judicial cases, even those that don’t go to trial. Since the Trial by Jury will be held in the town the crime is committed, the jury pool or the chosen jury has imaginary or real connection to the trial. Ask a US politician who have been indicted (before conviction) for any crime, criminal or civil, if his/her chances to win in the next election are good? If convicted, his/her chances are gone? Example: Sen. Torricelli.
However, Trial by Jury must be added to the Constitution of the Philippines first.
But it is still better to give the power to change the people’s constitution to men who, however imperfectly, represent the people’s will, than to others who represent nobody but themselves.
Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America, (1833)

Trial by Jury add to the Constitution of the Philippines

Trial by Jury must be added to the Constitution of the Philippines
Trial by Jury, is one form of sovereignty of the people.
Jury is part of the nation responsible for the execution of the laws.
Juries instill the habits of judicial mind into every citizen, and those habits prepare people to be free.
Juries spreads respect for the courts’ decisions and for the idea of right to all.
Juries teach people equity in practice. Each person, when judging a neighbor, thinks that he/she may be judged, especially in civil suits; only a few will ever face criminal trial, but anybody can be sued or have a lawsuit.
Juries teach each individual not to shirk responsibility for his own acts, and without that manly characteristics no political virtue is possible.
Juries invest each citizen with a sort of magisterial office; they make all men feel that they have duties toward society and that they take a share in its government. By making men pay attention to things other than their own affairs, they combat that individual selfishness which is like rust in society.
Juries are effective in shaping a nation’s judgment and increasing its natural rights, its greatest advantage. It is free school, always open and each juror learns his rights, comes into contact with the best educated, most enlightened members of the upper classes, given practical lessons in the law, the advocate’s efforts, the judge’s advice, and the passions of the litigants within his mental grasp. The main reason for the practical intelligence and political good sense of Americans is their long experience with juries in civil cases.
Jury may not be useful to litigants, but it is good for those who have to decide the case. It is the most effective means of popular education at society’s disposal.
In democracies, lawyers and judges are the only aristocratic body that can check the people’s movements. This aristocracy has no physical power but exercises its influence over men’s minds. It follows that civil juries are the main source of its power. In criminal trials, when society is fighting a single man, the jury is apt to look on the judge as the passive instrument of social authority and to mistrust his advice. Criminal cases turn entirely on simple facts easily within the range of common sense. On such ground judge and jury are equals.
In civil suits, the judge appears as a disinterested arbitrator between the litigants’ passions. The jurors feel confidence in him and listen to him with respect, for here his intelligence completely dominates theirs. It is he who unravels the various arguments they find hard to remember and takes them by the hand to guide them through procedural intricacies; it is he who limits their task to the question of fact and tells them what answer to give on questions of law.
Jury in civil cases enables the American bench to make the legal spirit penetrate right down into the lowest ranks of society.
Jury is the most effective way of establishing the people’s rule and most efficient way of teaching them how to rule.
Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America, (1833), 1969 ed., Ch 8 – WHAT TEMPERS THE TYRANNY OF THE MAJORITY IN THE UNITED STATES, pg 273-276

Law & Order here we come, Judge Judy go away!!!

Tuesday, March 01, 2005

Filipino lawmakers here's a sample of cutting income tax

The wealth of the Philippines can be achieved only by and with the creative minds and activity of each and every Filipino in the Philippines.

To stimulate the economy and create revenues, Philippine lawmakers must cut taxes, reduce tariffs, reduce regulations, open trade and strive to make transactions by all government officials transparent, to curb corruption.

Cut taxes so the massa has money to spend and save after all necessities, entrepreneur has more money to expand their business and pay more taxes for the government coffers. Maximum income tax for all Filipinos should be 12%.

Economic statistics in other countries successfully improve their economies in a couple of years by cutting taxes, opening trade and curbing corruption.

Government officials do not create wealth and do not create jobs. Lawmakers do not forget what pork barrel your salary came from. To remind you, it came from taxing the people and maybe (shame to all Filipinos) from foreign aid and remittances of Filipinos abroad.

Law makers of the Philippine the tax table below must be cut in half and incomes below P13,000 exempted from taxes!

Below is the Individual Income Tax Table for Filipinos. Personal comments and computation in italics if taxes are cut in half, maximum tax of 12% and exemption of income below P13000.

TAX TABLE

If Taxable Income is: Not over P10,000 Tax Due is: 5% (that's P500. extra to spend or save if exempted)
Taxable Income >P10,000 but not > P30,000 Tax - P500+10% of excess >P10,000 (P1650. more to spend or save if taxed @ 5%)
Over P30,000 but not over P70,000 P2,500+15% of the excess over P30,000 (7% tax is P3650, not P8500. P4850. more to spend or save)
Over P70,000 but not over P140,000 P8,500+20% of the excess over P70,000 (10% tax is P10,650. not P22500, P11,850. more to start or expand a business)
Over P140,000 but not over P250,000 P22,500+25% of the excess over P140,000 (max. tax 12%, P23850 not P50,000, P26150. individual Filipinos can spend or save not for government coffers)
Over P250,000 but not over P500,000 P50,000+30% of the excess over P250,000 (and so on, and so on)
Over 500,000 P125,000+34% of the excess over P500,000 (individuals who make this much are smart enough to find ways not to pay this excessive payola)

source: http://www.boi.gov.ph/codbusiness.html

Thursday, February 03, 2005

foreign exchange dealers, money changers, and remittance agents to register with BSP.

Foreign exchange dealers, dollar remittance agents, and money changers must register with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Foreign exchange dealers, dollar remittance agents, and money changers must report suspicious transactions, keep and maintain records for transparency of transaction.
Philippines has been removed from Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF) list of noncompliant country on money laundering.
200 Foreign exchange dealers, dollar remittance agents, and money changers are incorporated, 20 influential in peso-dollar exchange rate.
Foreign exchange dealers, money changers, and remittance agents must submit reports and bookkeeping regulations.
Previously, money changers need only Securities and Exchange Commission incorporation papers and a permit from the municipality or city of operation.
Supervision over the industry was removed from the central bank by the New Central Bank Act of 1993, as well as the liberalization of the country's foreign exchange market.

Wednesday, January 19, 2005

the price of corruption

1.8% - 4% of business revenues are paid to corrupt government official. P1.8 - P4. for every P100.
For a corrupt person to collect an economic rent equivalent to minimum weekly wage in the Philippines, a corrupt employee collects for every transaction of P6250. - P13,889. That's P250. more money the corrupt person can spend on goods and services that would have been P250. cheaper for every consumer had corrupt employees not been corruptible.

Abundant money without the equivalent goods and services cause inflation.

More money in circulation than available goods and services increases the price of goods and services.
Corrupt behavior is an expensive reward for every one.

te mely

Monday, January 17, 2005

Filipino Financial literacy

Investing in stocks & bonds are starting points of compassionate capitalism both to investors and business owners.
The financial market are source of capital to expand and improve their business.
To participate in the market, a business must open not only its books but its operation to outside auditors and management consultants.
To be publicly traded, business owners must accept the fact that owners/shareholders self-interest is price of their shares, earnings and dividends.
A business owner who does not understand the market does not invest and has no intention of listing the business in the market.
Open competition is a tool to prevent corrupt, fight corruption and a major tool for prosperity.
te mely 55.


Friday, January 14, 2005

Critical Thinking a tool to fight corruption & dictators!

How to think critically and reason systematically.

Critical thinking and systematic reasoning must be taught from infancy by methods specific for the age.
A baby and a toddler must be allowed to experience, hear, see and touch for each new word and activity.

Corruption not the cause of poverty

Corruption is poverty of one's soul.
We are all corrupt, just as we are all sinners! Me, you and the Catholic church hierarchy! The Catholic church cathedrals and monasteries are run dogmatically by individuals with the same self-interest as you and me - financial and spritual survival.

Solution must come from the bottom - us, you, me & the Catholic ministers not from the top down. The masa must demand from the Philppine government officials - Pres. Arroyo and law makers in each barangay, poblacion, provincia and congress to lower taxes, remove barriers to trade and exchange of goods and services, reduce regulations to start and run a business. Business, small, medium or large are the ones who creates jobs. Jobs reduce poverty.

All Filipinos, you, me & the Catholic ministers, must not practice and support corruptive behavior in our daily interaction with each other, family or non-family, co-workers or employers, private or government officials, Pres. Arroyo or Mayor Lim.

Corruption is when you bribe your children with gifts before they do something. Rewards should be for good behavior not before a behavior.

Corruption is when you bargain down to last centavo someone's tienda. Open pricing of someone's tienda should be the norm to force the tiendera/o to calculate what price is profitable and what price is a loss. Price should NOT be determine by the bargaining skill of the buyer. A sale must be a win-win transaction for the tiendera to make a profit and the buyer to get the best price for the goods or service. If someone wants to sell at a losing price to recover his/her capital, it is her/his loss, not the bargaining skills of the buyer. If the tiendera/o makes a profit, well, that's what they are in business for - to make a profit.

Corruption starts in small things from the very beginning of our Filipino culture. It will only stop if all of us will start on small things - you, me and the ministers of the Catholic church.

Corruption is really common whether you live in the Philippines or the United States. The difference is in the Philippines, it is chaotic corruption clearly dramatized in Filipinos non-compliance with traffic signs, lanes and rules of the road, pedestrians and motor vehicle drivers alike. That my friends is corruption, a clear disregard of the law of the road.
Dogmatic Catholic church supports chaotic corruption, income distribution, dogmatic constitution, discourage dissent, individualism and self-reliance.

A business person in the Philippines do not know who, how many and how much to bribe in order to start or get the business going. Not knowing means an inflated price margin for his/her goods and services to cover those bribes, in order to make a profit at the end of the day. Profit is business main goal.

A corrupt person really has no guilt in his/her behavior. A recipient of a bribe considers it Economic Rent. The corrupt person the landlord, the briber the tenant. The corrupt person thinks of him/herself as a place holder of that position. When the briber's time comes to be the place holder, he/she will do the same, collects economic rent. That cycle can be terminated only if the chain is broken by shame or legally.
To make corruption well organized, the rent must be open and transparent. Rent depends on supply and demand. That's what free market does.
When people and drivers in the Philippines takes the time to cross only at the pedestrian lane, drive within the boundaries of a lane and acknowledges first come, first serve service even if there's no rope line will corruption be manageble enough not to hinder the prosperity of Filipinos.
Individualism and self-reliance are necessary component to practice freedom of expression, freedom of religion, freedom of fear and pursuit of happiness.
Critical thinking must be taught in Philippine schools from grade school to college.

Dollar remittances & Inflation correlation!

Dollar remittances can spur economic growth only if consumer spending equals the quantity of goods & services available. More dollars than goods & services means greater rate of inflation. Inflation means higher prices. Inflation is a monetary phenomena. More goods & services causes deflation, an 'never happen' factor in the Philippine economy. The Philppine government - Pres. Arroyo and lawmakers must lower taxes, reduce tariffs, remove constricting regulations to start businessess -small, medium or big. It is the only way to prosperity.

Philippines' inflation of 7.9% is not acceptable!

Inflation is cause by Filipinos having too much money on hand to buy few goods and services!
Where did that money mostly come from? From outside the Philippines!
The Philippine government must use the dollar surplus from money remittances inflow to increase the quantity of goods and services available for purchase by all Filipinos by free trade, remove constricting regulations to start a business of buying and selling goods, starting a service & knowledge business, remove government barriers to competition.
Filipinos have the physical and mental capacity to increase output of Philippine goods and services.

Pres Arroyo, men & women of the Philippine congress!!!

Four years ago, the United States ranked fourth as the freest economy in the world. But "the rest of the world has begun to catch on to the dividends that freedom pays," Mr. Ed Feulner, Heritage Foundation president. said. Looking at the global picture, however, the good news is many more countries are freeing, deregulating and privatizing their economies and becoming much more prosperous as a result.
In case after case, countries that reduced taxes, dropped trade barriers, eliminated regulations and took other steps to free their economies saw their standards of living and per capita incomes rise. Among the 155 countries analyzed by the Index, 86 turned in better scores this year than last.
Iceland, for example, now in the top 10 "most free" economies in the world, has been doing steadily better since cutting taxes and deregulating its banks, turning in a compound growth rate of 31/2 percent.Lithuania, the second-freest country in the former Soviet bloc, now boasts a private sector producing about 80 percent of its economic growth.
The 10 freest economies: Hong Kong, Singapore, Luxembourg, Estonia, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Iceland and Australia. Index of Economic Freedom, published annually by the Heritage Foundation and the Wall Street Journal, which rates the world's economies on a broad range of fiscal, regulatory and free enterprise measurements.


When is the Philippine economy going to catch up?
Reduced taxes, dropped trade barriers, eliminated regulations and take other steps to free the Philippine economy to improve the standards of living and per capita incomes of all Filipinos. It is the only way to prosperity!



Thursday, January 13, 2005

Zero-Sum Process...

Capitalism, says Economist Thomas Sowell, is not a Zero-Sum Process (one gains only if others loses). Capitalism works in economies that follow the pattern of allocation of scarce resources which have altenative uses.

What are bonds?

Company Bonds are legal agreements between an investor to lend a fixed amount of money today and a company to use in the business at an agreed fixed rate at a fixed date in the future. Investor is the creditor, company is the debtor. For example, a company issues a bond of $10,000. for 4% interest per year for 1 year. The company must pay the investor the agreed upon amount plus the interest at the agreed date even if the company is not profitable at that agreed date. If the company is profitable, the company will only pay the agreed upon amount and interest. Investors risk limited to the company going belly up.

Peso at five-month high on good economic data

Leave the market alone, it will correct itself!
The currency market is the purest market of all. It is all transaction and no goods. History of Money by J. Weatherford. [p.256]

Exchange rates links a country and the rest of the world, both in goods/services and financial/capital markets. The Marketing of Nations [p.265]

legal protection of BSP officers???

MANILA, PHILIPPINES |Thursday, January 13, 2005
BSP: three key changes to charter to boost bank supervision
'Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas push for three priority changes to strengthen banking supervision, focused on consolidated supervision, a graduated scale of penalties for violators and increased legal protection for its officers.'

Why were BSP officers sued in the first place before? Is it the perception by private companies & business community that they are weak, corrupt and powerless? Or are individual companies & business individuals themselves weak, corrupt and powerless that they expect BSP officers are too?
We need a few strong willed, independent thinking, self-reliant, self-confident BSP officers as well as few strong willed, independent thinking, self-reliant, self-confident business leaders to make Capitalism work! Balance, balance, balance. Economist Thomas Sewell says Capitalism does not work in a Zero-Sum Process.

'Radical & Holistic solution to illegal immigration'...

President Bush's plan to liberalize the nation's immigration laws to allow millions of undocumented workers the opportunity for legal status appears to be on a collision course with newly aroused sentiment among House Republicans pushing for a crackdown on illegal immigration.Many supporters say a temporary-worker program would enhance national security by identifying who is in the country; by boosting the economy with a continuing supply of highly motivated, low-skill workers; and by helping undocumented workers avoid exploitation by granting them the protections that come with legal status. The workers, meanwhile, would be free to return to their home countries, allowing them to stay connected with their families
By Michael Fletcher, Washington Post | January 3, 2005


Military historian,essayist, author of Mexifornia, Victor Davis Hanson solution makes sense!

1. Adopt sweeping restrictions on immigration.
2. End separatist ideology with the 2-tier legal system for illegals. (p.147)

Congressmen & Congresswomen please read Mr. Hanson's book. He has a unique perspective accumulated through his experiences living with, working along and interacting with legal & illegal immigrants.

Wednesday, January 12, 2005

Money Remittance from USA to Php

Remittances to the Philippines impacts the receiving family directly and are better than government or even ngo aid! however,
Remittances to family in the Philippines must be given with purpose without any strings attach. If you can not afford to send money to your relatives, then don't! Your main responsibility after God are your own needs then your immediate family. Must be in that order.
Compassion does not mean generous handout with money! Money is not wealth. Wealth are assets you save to buy what you need. It is better to share the tools for knowledge and insight. It is better to share marketable skills you develop through the years living in USA. It is better to market your own skills in ways no one has thought about how! Creative thoughts are rare and precious. Take time to think nothing! Heightened your sense of aha! No one has thought of this way before! Be observant of every aspect of your life, your surrounding, your family!
you can be whatever you want if you ignore society's expectations and have the strength to follow your own.
Justice Clarence Thomas

Tuesday, January 11, 2005

Tariffs on rice imports

Tariffs hinders competition and decreases productivity.
It is protectionism at its best. Protecting government subsidized importers and producers of rice.
It is not protecting the individual consumers and small producers of rice.
Tariffs inhibits creative activity in production and marketing of rice, badly needed to compete in the global world we live in.
The Philippines government must let go of it's hold on individual investors, small business entrepreneurs and individual consumers with lower taxes and negligible tariffs to create an environment of individual creative endeavors and self-reliance.

President Macapagal, are you an economist at heart?

Attention: President Macapagal
Old Hongkong (maybe not present Hongkong under China)is a working model for the Philippine economy

Hong Kong is a free economy because it enacts the British rule of law.
Hong Kong rank as the world's freest economy because of its free port, low taxes and little government intervention, according to the Heritage Foundation and the Wall Street Journal.

Philippines have rule of law in the books too but applying the law in practice is another story. Need to instill independent thought and self-reliance in our young.
Reduce tariffs, reduce taxes and govern only to enact the law.
It is our only chance for prosperity.

Economic Growth in the Philippines

Prices, prices, prices
Free market economies, of which the Philippine market poorly imitates, Prices are conveyers of bad and good news. When a lot more Filipinos wants the same thing, the price goes up. When there's a surplus, the price go down.
When the government gets involved in that thing that is priced by the people, then that price is not true free market price anymore.
When Bangko Central involves itself in the currency market, the true market price of the pesos is not true anymore, even if they don't involve themselves in the currency market today..

Basic Economics: by Thomas Sowell

Basic Economics: A Citizen's Guide to the Economy by Thomas Sowell
Economics defined as from the word 'economize' or scarcity.
It is scarce when more people wants the same thing.

Before my generation, Filipinos never have to economize because we are blessed with fertile soil, tropical weather and optimistic soul.
God also give us Free Will when our first parents eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and bad. Free will is the foundation of our independence and creativity.

Price, Price, Price is the best instrument to manage scarcity.
The only difference is how to manage price - Marxism, Socialism, Feudalism, or Capitalism. The first three proved through generations as inequitable, incompatible and irreplicable. 18th century economist & philosopher Adam Smith, Milton Friedman - 20th century economist and present day economist -Thomas Sowell said so through the years.

Filipinos, it is our only chance for prosperity!

Self-reliance & Independence awards

Sunday, January 02, 2004 BoholTimes.com OnLine Edition Best 2004 entrepreneurs
Bohol SMED Council (SMED-C) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) awarded plaques to successful local entrepreneurs and awarded citations to 14 of its partners in the implementation of the national SME agenda, December 23.

Competition and rewards are the best incentive for creative minds.
Creative minds are scarce resource of a nation.
Creative, independent minds think for themselves.
The best location for their minds to prosper is in the freest of all nations - the United States of America - a nation of believers in God's infinite wisdom.
United States of America is model.
Filipino immigrants of the United States of America who can, must expatriate the capitalistic sentiments of the USA to Filipinos in the Philippines - Individualism, Self Reliance and limited government!
It is our only chance for prosperity for all.


BSP manipulation of USd/Php market - not good!

Remittances from overseas created a surplus at $1.410 billion in the 3rd quarter according to latest data from Bangko Sentral. Higher than the $1.068 billion surplus in same 'o3 quarter.

The Philippines is drowning with dollars.

Please Lord of all, I pray...
Let the creative minds of Filipinos blossom. Remove the government- influence manipulation of the currency market. Enrich the independent minds of individual Filipinos to embrace Capitalism in Adam Smith, Milton Friedman & Thomas Sowell's model.
It is our only chance to better ourselves.

Poverty reduction recipe

Self Reliance

A creative mind is the best asset a nation have.
A self-reliant mind is creative.
A creative self-reliant mind is the best source of resourcefulness.

Frugality is Humility

To be humble is to be frugal.
Savings takes frugality.
To start a business one needs frugality and humility to keep loyal clientele.
Less taxes, less government regulations, less tariff is the best atmosphere for small business to prosper.

tsunami's effect on the peso (PHP) valuation

After the flood and mudslide in Quezon, the Philippines was spared the destruction of tsunami. Yet, the PHP depreciated inspite of weakening USD.
Filipinos in the Philippines must be creatively self-reliant, humbly frugal and courageously take calculated risk.
Philippine law makers must reduce taxes, reduce tariffs, reduce business regulations - best formula for happiness, prosperity and salvation from the pangs of lower expectations of prosperity.

Earth quakes under the sea & deluge follows!!!

God planted the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge of good and bad. God also created man, woman and the serpent who tempted the woman to eat from the forbidden tree of knowledge. We are 'fallen beings', starting 'our life in this world in a vale of tears' and naked of the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and bad.
The earth quakes in labor pains, to signal the coming independence of God's creation out of the birth canal, immersed in amniotic from inception, the Spirit of the soul in Noah's ark, resurrects after the flood, to worship the Lord God of all.

Immigration, Emigration, Assimilation

Immigration, Emigration, Assimilation
It is basic human instinct to emigrate from less desirable places for economic, religious or tribal reasons.
Immigration with Benign Assimilation creates a smoother transition for both the emigre and USA.
Filipino immigrants after 1965 demonstrated how to benignly assimilate.
Most professionals with their families, immediate relatives and extended families live near their work.
Most did not care who their neighbors are.
Most are too busy working 16 hrs, 6-7 days a week.
Most couldn't care less they are the source of the brain drain of the Philippines, who spent for their education and training.
Most spent whatever leisure days left, their vacation days exploring America's landscape and visiting other Filipinos in other states for the price of free board & lodging.

Investment & Speculation

Stock market...a competitive tool for prosperity
More Filipinos should learn, read, analyze and take risk in the stock market in order for Filipinos to invest and participate in the Philippine stock market.
Investment in human beings is the biggest speculation of the Philippine nation. The biggest mistake is equating human capital with formal education.
The best insurance in investing in human capital are marketable, economically meaningful skills, skills that create prosperity through creative, competitive, knowledge and insight.

Weak USD

US dollar's benign assimilation of other nation's currencies
Weakening the US dollar parallels the termination of Bretton Woods gold standard edit by President Nixon on August 15, 1971.
Horders of dollars, British & other governments or individuals, lose on deflation. US exports, US made raw materials and parts are cheaper in the Philippines.
Creditors, US government or individual Americans, lose on inflation..
In the long run, one nation, one individual self-interest for economic survival... Just a thought.
ate mely

An immigrant's reminder


An Immigrant's Reminder
"I gave you a land which you had not tilled and cities which you had not built, to dwell in; you have eaten of vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant." Joshua 24:13

I recently finish reading Victor Davis Hanson's book, Mexifornia and Basic Economics: a citizen’s guide to the economy by Thomas Sowell.
My vision is to merge Mr. Hanson's illegal immigration solutions and Mr. Sowell’s Adam Smith Milton Friedman inspired economic solutions to the nation of my birth - Philippines.
I fully agree ‘that the future of the nation is entirely in the hands of its current residents’. Mr. Sowell says human capital is the source of knowledge and insight.

My husband and I are one of ‘THE POOR OF THE WORLD’ who voted with our feet in 1969 in the Epilogue of Mexifornia. We never bothered to vote for the re-election of Ferdinand in 1969. When you’re just married, who cares if Marcos becomes a dictator. My first plane ride from Manila to Newark, NJ on TWA are my honeymoon memories.
My friend Che & I stayed in line at the US Embassy to apply for an immigrant visa. Most of my nursing colleagues were impatient for the 6-12 month wait (in1969), they applied as nursing exchange students in order to get a visa within a month. They illegally stayed after their contracts expired or until their employers convert their status to an immigrant visa. But, we are all immigrants and US citizens now, thirty something years past. Our children call themselves Americans, sometimes hyphenated to suit their self-interest. All independent and confidently self assured. All grown up and me left to pursue my own self-interest.