There are many valid, sound and naturally conflicting arguments on the pros and cons of capitalism, free enterprise, trade liberalization, globalization, GATT, etc., etc. Most of these go over my head. The little that managed to seep through convinces me that the proof of the eating is in the pudding. Let's talk about how liberating it is to have options.
The Marcos years seem like the Dark Ages. Our choices were limited to either the one set of candidates from the KBL party or the opposition. What then if we were neither left nor right, neither pro-admin nor with the opposition? We looked at the world outside our hometowns through the newspapers and networks that were likewise controlled by the powers that be. Plus, we had to put up with the incompetence of monopolies. One airline, one phone company, no more than two or three bus and shipping liners, the rice cartel, the gasoline cartel, and so on and so forth. Only Metro Manila had shopping malls then. Everyone else had to settle for department stores run by local businessmen who were usually related to one another.
Competition is good and productive. Marvel at how far we've gone. Slowly but surely, politicians are learning that performance counts as more and more non-tradpols and independent candidates are getting elected. More newspapers, TV and radio stations are cropping up. The inroads of technology have brought cable TV and the Internet to our homes. PAL and PLDT are shaping up their acts with the entry of new players in the air transport and telecomm industry. The indirect competition foisted by fastcrafts and cellular phones are giving them a run for their money. Shopping malls and boutiques are offering new and better products and services. Even the price and quality gap between local and imported brands has narrowed. It is good that local manufacturers are becoming adept at churning out world-class products and that consumers have better choices.
Sadly, these choices are still beyond the reach of others. How can they exercise these options if they don't have the means to do so? Take money, for instance. Unless we have jobs and are comfortable with what we earn, we're easy prey to corruption and exploitation. Time is relevant, as well. A well-paying job is sometimes self-defeating if it's keeping us from enjoying what life can offer. All right, assuming that the greater majority has the money, the time, and perhaps even the mind and body to exercise freedom of choice, what next? Responsibility, that's what. We have more choices than we are used to, more than we can handle. There are excesses that make us squirm. Movie stars and athletes being elected to the House; unfair trade practices; accelerated industrialization at the expense of the environment; commercialization of tourism and cultural events; sex and violence in entertainment; alternative religion via televangelists ... you get the picture.
To get the full measure of our voting and purchasing power, we must be capable of making enlightened decisions. Keep abreast of the news, consult others, listen and participate in meaningful discussions. You will hear conflicting arguments and half-truths. Maintain an open mind at all times. Give every person, every product, every idea a fair chance. Once you've decided which politician to support, which establishment or product to patronize, don't end there. Evaluate as you go along because the performance will change for the better or for worse. Perhaps, some hidden agenda or side effect will be revealed; perhaps there will be minor slips that you can take in stride. The important thing is you are keeping a close eye on things.
Okay, verifying the ozone-damaging effects of chloroflourocarbons may seem like a lot of hard work when you just want to choose your brand of hairspray, and it is. But just because you can afford anything does not mean you can act without considering the consequences of your action or inaction. Choices are wasted on the ignorant because they don't know any better. We do, so let's keep it that way.