Playing for keeps

THERE is no point hammering the nail on political dynasties. Firstly, there is no hammer. Secondly, there is no nail.

Nobody is just sincere in building a law against political dynasties. Everybody is just serious in breaking any attempts at building a law against political dynasties, no matter how so much it is denied or hidden.

If at all, there may be a few exceptions here and there, but they are all powerless against the might of the political dynasties. Until now and maybe until a very long time, the nation and the people will be run by political dynasties. This is a fact. This is the truth. And this is not about to change anytime soon, given that we do not have any real hammer, given that we do not have any real nail.

But on second thought, there may be a point in at least looking for a hammer and at least looking for a nail. Or maybe a saw for that matter to cut political dynasties. Or maybe an axe for that matter to chop political dynasties. It has got to start somewhere, if we really want it to end. It has got to start sometime, if we really want it to stop.

If and when the country really wants to end or stop political dynasties, we ought to go beyond just the lofty words of the constitution, and enact an enabling law for its implementation. In this particular case, a law is our only hope. Corollary to this, our lawmakers is our only hope.

We need lawmakers who will stand up for what is just, right and equitable. We need lawmakers who will do what is necessary, beneficial and appropriate even if it means going against the interest of their families and their clans. We need lawmakers who will rewrite history by being unselfish. We need lawmakers who will rewrite history by being selfless.

To be sure, unselfishness and selflessness are not easy traits or tasks in the midst of old names trying to perpetuate themselves in power through their daughters, sons, nieces, nephews and all other kinds of blood relations. In not too few instances, the relations have crossed from consanguinity to affinity, where wives and husbands and in-laws take the place of those who are graduating, retiring or dying. Unselfishness and selflessness are really not easy, but not really impossible. Or at least we have to keep the faith.

The key, therefore, is to elect lawmakers who are confident enough about their performance in public service, so much so that they can afford to remove their undue advantage as a member of a political dynasty, because they believe that their track record is enough to make them win elections. Without a doubt, there are these kinds of candidates, especially those who are still young.

In any case, the people must not stand down, the people must not give up, the people must not succumb, the people must not surrender.

The people can fight using their common, united and unified position against political dynasties. The people can fight using their intelligent vote.

It is not about boycotting those who are members of political dynasties. It is about boycotting those who are members of political dynasties and nothing else - no performance, no track record.

It is not about campaigning hard against those who are members of political dynasties. It is about campaigning hard for those who can be counted on to lead and to serve, whether or not they are members of political dynasties. It is about doing everything possible to select, choose and elect those who can be counted on to rewrite history - selfless, unselfish - whether or not they are members of political dynasties.

There is just no other way, at least at this time, but to vote wisely. We cannot expect a miracle that members of political dynasties will just all suddenly decide that they no longer want the fame, fortune and fate. Without a doubt, with very few exceptions, they are all playing for keeps.

Comments are most welcome. Please send them to onesmallvoice2013@gmail.com.