Hofileña: Hopes on public governance today

Hofileña: Hopes on public governance today

GLOBAL media, some years back, has highlighted the following statement attributed to a former US President and several other former Presidents: "I thought it would be easier." This widely publicized statement indicates that US presidents, in the past, and even until today, have frankly admitted their surprise that the job of being President has, after all, not been so easy to perform; in fact, the statement reveals not only surprise but a degree of unpreparedness for the highest public job in a nation.

This writer wishes to add that this highest position for that matter, with other democratic countries in the world, is very demanding of the total best efforts of its occupants, which of course, have not expressed regrets in discharging. Several historical political writers in the past have in fact described this highest position as a "killing job." This column does not necessarily refer to the tragic cases of political assassinations in the past.

Why is our column focusing on this aspect of the value of hope in public governance? To briefly clarify, this discussion involves our continuing concern on the essential role of hope of people throughout the world for a better life for themselves and their communities. Thus, we have initially indicated in various past issues the reality in history that the successful governance led well by a President, and supported by the private sectors and the citizenry, offer much hope that essential development programs for millions of needy citizens, especially including services of economic, social, political and other benefits can be provided by the government.

More particularly for the lower family income levels, these necessities include gainful employment, adequate health and educational services, democratic exercise of rights for all citizens and other essential needs can be actualized with the leadership of a capable and dedicated President and his administration, and in the process, motivating as well the private sector, especially the business community, and other socio-economic institutions, to help the government address the arduous effort of uplifting the lives of the citizenry.

These programs should be delivered without the unfortunate evils of a culture of corruption, or a government leadership which in the recent statement of Pope Francis, "high officials should not be tempted by the excesses of power and lack of humility in serving their people because these obstacles can ruin leadership."

This column indicates our main message today that the highest officials of democratic countries are to be prepared to serve the citizenry with honesty, dedication and knowhow, with the full support of their administration, and with the private sectors, especially the business community, to join hands together and address the very demanding work of planning and implementing the many needed programs and services for their citizens during their terms in office.

What is especially required here are politicians who aspire for high public office, who should be fully aware of their extremely challenging duties, avoiding temptations of corruption or abuse of dictatorial powers to lead by management of fear and intimidation of public criticisms or opposition. This positive form of management can succeed more effectively with a democratic system of governance in contrast to the dictatorial states in some other countries.

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