Debating a Hardcore Welfare Statist

A comment on impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona’s statements during his impeachment trial that I posted online effectively generated reactions from members of a political Facebook group. Corona reportedly uttered the following words: “I’m no thief. I’m no criminal. I’ve done no wrong. But I am also no fool.” In response, I posted the following on this Facebook group:

Many people in the government have a very shallow, distorted understanding of corruption.

Corruption in the public sector is not merely committed by raiding government coffers. That’s just one form of corruption. It is also done by destroying the economy through unsustainable, impractical, destructive economic policies.

• Corruption can be committed by using one’s position to oppress or to steal the property of others (e.g., the Basa-Guidote case).
• Corruption can be committed by using one’s political power to increase stocks portfolio (and those of one’s family members and friends) through public-private business partnerships (e.g., the case of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo).
• Corruption can be committed by encouraging a ‘Palamunin Culture’ and increasing welfare spending, thus draining the nation’s coffers (e.g., the ongoing cases of Greece and the Philippines).
• Corruption can be best committed by institutionalizing a culture of ‘sacrifice’ and ‘dependency on the state’ (e.g., the case of all regimes in RP).
• Corruption can be sustained and perpetuated by keeping the protectionist, oligarchic, welfare-statist status quo.

The MAIN SOURCE of the country’s graft and corruption is the 1987 CONSTITUTION.

A long-time member of that Facebook group said: “Well, I guess we are witnessing an “asian Greece” on its path to self destruction.”

Destroying a Freeloader, ‘Palamunin’ Mentality

NOTE: I posted the following on this Facebook group.

Sometimes we have to be charitable with some people who hold dogmatic welfare faith and beliefs.

Bhavan Karnani, a Filipino Freethinker, claimed that the Philippines has one of the lowest welfare spending on earth. This guy is somehow trying to debunk our free market and anti-PALAMUNIN arguments by telling us: “But hey look! RP is one of the lowest welfare spenders on earth!”

Allow me to analyze whether this guy knows what he’s talking about, or whether he based his conclusion on junk economics.

What’s the barometer they used to come up with the data or ranking, which shows that the Philippines has ‘very low’ welfare spending? It’s GDP or gross domestic product. Is this proper? My reaction is: LOL!

Using that strategy, it appears that the Philippines has 17.3% government expenditure of GDP.

Here’s a clearer data from CIA World Factbook:

• GDP (official exchange rate): $216.1 billion (2011 est.)
• Government revenues (collected from taxes): $31.99 billion (14.8% of GDP)
• Government expenditure: $36.71 billion (2011 est.)
• GE minus GR is $4.72 billion!!!

TO HELL WITH YOUR GOD!

I’m not a Lady Gaga fan, but I strongly believe the international pop superstar has all the right to hold concerts, to sing her spooky songs, or even to offend anybody in this secular society. Whatever happened to that old maxim: “I disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”?

I’m actually OFFENDED by these anti-Gaga people’s religious bigotry and intolerance. Yes, I’m offended, too! What they’re doing is a mockery of reason and freedom!

Whether or not Lady Gaga actually intended to offend Christians or Muslims or any religion, I believe that religion must be a private matter. That no one has the right to strip anyone of his/her right to free speech or to action in the name of religion. In a secular society, religion ought to be a personal matter. Worship your own god and you shouldn’t have any business if I don’t believe that such a supernatural entity or energy exists.

If these so-called christians hate Lady Gaga’s songs– or if they really believe her songs contain cryptic satanic messages– then, the solution is very simple. They should just stay at home during the popular singer’s concert. They should ask their friends and family members not to buy her concert tickets. That’s the only solution. Protesting lady gaga and asking the government that she be banned for simply

Capitalism Rocks!

Business is all about solving human problems. Business is a man-centered or man-focused activity or endeavor. You do not engage in business to benefit the environment or a non-human entity. You engage in business to improve man’s life and human environment.

The pursuit of profit or money is simply one of the noblest acts of survival. It is man’s rational selfishness- or greed for money and achievement- that benefits people and society as a whole.

There are two people usually involved in a venture or business- 1) the Scientist or inventor, and 2) the Businessman. The scientist/inventor creates POTENTIAL wealth through his invention or creation. His invention is a potential wealth because it has not yet reached the market. Most scientists are loners… and sometimes ALTRUISTIC like Nikola Tesla. This is the problem with most scientists. Altruistic scientists usually turn to government for funding and distribution of their inventions. One good example of this kind of government was Soviet Russia.

On the other hand, the most important contribution of the Businessman is the delivery or distribution these inventions to domestic or global consumers through mass production. The technologies and products that we use, consume, and enjoy today are made possible by greedy Capitalists who invested their money with the Scientists or inventors. 

Facebook’s Eduardo Saverin is Not Your Slave, Democrats!

For renouncing his U.S. Citizenship to allegedly avoid paying punitive capital gains tax, Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin angered

The ‘greedy’ Eduardo Saverin

two Democrat senators who seek to introduce a plan that would bar people who evade paying taxes from reentering the U.S.

Sens. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Bob Casey, D-Pa., were determined to propose a comprehensive plan to target individuals who renounce their U.S. citizenship in attempts to avoid taxation on profits expected to be made on public companies.

Saverin, who reportedly maintains a net worth of more than $2 billion from his 4% Facebook shares, abandoned his citizenship in September last year. This caused many to speculate he did so to avoid paying as much as $67 million taxes on the profits he is expected to make once the social-networking giant goes public. Since 2009, the Facebook co-founder has lived in Singapore, which has does not levy capital gains tax.

Sensationalist Blogger Draws Flak for Depicting Pacquiao as an Anti-Gay Religious Extremist

Boxing icon and politician Manny Pacquiao has recently caused an international uproar for his strong opposition to gay marriage, a highly controversial issue that could make or break President Barack Obama’s reelection bid. Pacquiao’s personal opinion did not sit well with America’s wealthy liberals who are ironically not that tolerant enough, as a mall owner in Los Angeles, California, announced on Twitter the freshman Filipino congressman would not be allowed “on the premises” for his unapologetic statements against same-sex marriage.

A number of liberal bloggers and journalists also strongly denounced Pacquiao for allegedly saying that gays “must be put to death.” Because of this, hundreds of netizens have supported a petition asking sportswear company Nike to drop the boxer as an endorser.

However, it appears that the main culprit behind the anti-Pacquiao mob is none other than a freelance writer who published an interview article with the boxing icon on the Examiner.com.

In his May 12 article, Granville Ampong said that Pacquiao rejected Obama’s “new twists” on the Christian bible. In his lead paragraph, the freelance writer informs his reader that the Filipino boxing champion, who supported the president, is strongly

Pacquiao Banned From L.A. Mall for Anti-Gay Marriage Comments

Boxing superstar and Obama fan Manny Pacquiao may be one of the world’s most powerful celebrities, but that didn’t stop a mall operator in Los Angeles from banning him for his outspoken opposition to gay marriage.

Rick Caruso, an Obama supporter and owner of The Grove, a popular shopping and entertainment resort in Los Angeles, tweeted that the iconic boxing champion and politician would no longer be allowed “on the premises” because of his recent statements against gay marriage.

“Boxer Manny Pacquiao is not welcome @TheGroveLA,” Caruso tweeted. “@TheGroveLA is a gathering place for all Angelenos, not a place for intolerance.” The religious Pacquiao was supposed to do an interview today with “Extra” at The Grove.