the enemy is NOT out there

But please, don't get me wrong.

Our situation is not the sole fault of the limitly inspired "powers that be". We are also part of this problem. And to go thru who has more fault is a useless and bitter exercise. I personally will not let the mistakes, defeats and setbacks of today and of the past be the enemy of my victories tomorrow. (A Knick-great once said that line.)

The past does not belong in the future. Let's bury the dead, so to speak, but let's not forget them, too = )

But here's the beauty of this situation. If we are part of this situation then we are also part of its solution. Serious. Dead serious.

Think, when was the last time we actually talked to our congressmen? (Do they have time to talk to us?) When was the last time we asked our local executives how did they use our taxes?

That's a small step. And that step is a step in the right direction.

I really like this segment in CNN called "Keeping them honest", hosted by Anderson Cooper. (I think he is the great grandchild of the famous Vanderbuilt clan.)

The segment is about tracing how congress allocated and used the taxpayers money in making their respective district better, more economically viable.

How I wish we can have that here in the Philippines.

Soon.

I know we will have this but something has to change about us. We have to ask questions and demand answers, not from the President, but from our local executives and our congressman on what they have done with the hard-earned money we gave them in form of taxes?

It seems that we rather choose this ongoing Maalala mo kaya line, "Wala naman tayong magagawa dyan. Wala namang pag-asa dyan kung aantayin nating silang magbago. Mag-abroad na lang tayo at mag-hanap ng pera. Wala naman tayong mapapala sa ating gobyerno."

But which one is easier or harder - to personally ask our "leaders" about their actions and hold them responsible for their actions and for their decision or to risk the next generation Filipinos to grow up in a home where one of the parents is an OFW?

What is the social and emotional cost for the next generation Pinoy for our "not wanting to ask" our leaders and holding them accountable?

How many broken lives will it take?

How many songs in the tradition of "Napakasakit Kuya Eddie" must be written until we understand that we are part of the problem and being part of the problem also part of the solution?

The enemy is NOT out there. It resides in the thoughts we embrace. It resides in the beliefs we never bother to challenge.

The enemy is NOT out there.