The ala Du30 Trump phenomenon
President Du30 and Trump promised change to make their respective countries great ‘again.’ Both appealed to the masses, while their opponents presented formal or intellectual arguments.
Their messages resonated with the masses who got tired of the ‘bola bola’ of traditional politicians. All talk and no show. If at all, they deliver on their promises too late, and too little.
Thus, PDu30’s issuing the Freedom of Information executive order and protection for whistle blowers was a welcome relief. The immediate action on the drug problem, though too bloody for comfort, the lengthening of the validity of drivers’ licenses and passports, the establishing of “dial 8888” for complaints and 911 for emergencies were unmistakable proof of his ‘action agad’ attitude and were also a welcome relief.
The same is expected of Trump. His background in management was in the private sector or in his own companies where his words were the law. No delays, no ifs and buts. Call it dictatorial, and it is, but he will deliver results if he sticks by it. And there is no reason to expect the opposite.
Are our tradpols going to learn from the example of these two? Hopefully, but it is very doubtful. Our politicians are just a lot of talk, saying the same thing over and over again, and it takes them forever to accomplish anything.
Another thing we can learn from Trump, is the need for simple magic words that the masses can appreciate. The magic words of Trump were “build the wall” between the USA and Mexico so the bad hombres who are rapists, drug dealers, and liabilities will not cross over to the USA; “drain the swamp” where corrupt politician crocodiles thrive so they will perish (but he might end up being the biggest crocodile there); and “let us make America great again.” He repeated these again and again, ad nauseum, throughout the campaign period. And he made it, miraculously.
What is an ongoing campaign here where the Trump lesson can be applied? One is the drive for Cordilleran Autonomy. Those spearheading it are concentrating on the academic merits of the concept? Will the people who are mostly allergic to anything that sounds intellectual appreciate it? Highly doubtful. If results of past plebiscites on the matter were anything to go by, our masses hated or were not taken by the way the campaigns for Cordillera Autonomy were done.
Can we say, ‘Let us make the Cordillera great again?’ Of course not. It was never great in the first place. But something must be coined to make Cordillerans fight for Autonomy.
Indeed, we should learn from PDu30 or from Trump.**
