A CHALLENGE TO ALL POLITICIANS

by Felizar Mortillero

I AM MY OWN MAN -- former U.S. Vice President Al Gore (during his acceptance speech for the Presidential nomination of the Democratic National Convention of the U.S. 2000 Presidential Election).

This was the main statement of the then United States Vice President Albert "Al" Gore Jr. in his acceptance speech for his failed Presidential run in 2000. He promised to the American public that if he would have won, he would not be under the shadows of his political boss former President Bill Clinton. This should be the case ... every leader must not be under the shadows and dictates of his party mates, his decisions must not be influenced by anyone and he should only be accountable to the people who elected him. If a leader wants to be called a PRINCIPLED one then he must not bow to the pressures of his peers, he must only submit to the needs of the people, to the voice of the folks who have chosen him for his business as a leader is to lead for the good of the vast majority and not to be dictated upon by the numbered aristocrats.

Now, I am challenging every politician and every leader in all four corners of the world especially the Filipino leaders/politicians to be his/her own man/woman for the good of the public, for the good of those who put them in power for it is them that they the elected leaders are truly beholden. I am asking you HONORABLES, please do not waste the votes of the people who trusted you in every election that you have won for without them you are nothing. Sirs and madams I am appealing to you, be principled enough, do not give in to the pressures of the chosen few, hear the voices of the vast majority who need your care, your compassion, your principles and your unflinching commitment to serve them. Please be a true LEADER and BE YOUR OWN MAN. AMEN.