I subscribe to the view of Gideon Lasco that the government should “redouble its efforts to provide the basics to the people” (“Fight for the basics,” Second Opinion, 1/6/23).
But how can the government provide the basics to our people? I suggest that our government leaders should adopt the politics of common sense.
Common sense means sound practical judgment. Its exercise though does not negate the need to hope or aspire for the ideal. It refers rather to simplifying the perspective and the decision-making process on how our leaders address the basic needs of our people and find practical solutions to their day-to-day concerns.
Our leaders should ensure that families eat three square meals a day; that children go to school; that fathers or mothers should have decent paying jobs; that medicines and doctors are available to those who are sick, especially the elderly and persons with disability; that it is safe for them to walk in neighborhood streets even at night; that they own a house to protect them from extreme weather; that they are free to practice religion of their choice; and, that they have government leaders who are honest and competent and whom their children can look up to as their models.
Inflation, Maharlika Investment Fund, gross domestic product, General Appropriations Act, economic stimulus, pastoral letter, and other high-sounding terms do not make sense to an ordinary family when it is preoccupied mostly with how to meet their daily basic needs in order to survive.
The politics of common sense is not for the leaders who are ambitious, power-hungry, with authoritarian mentality, and comfortably live in the ivory tower. The politics of common sense is for leaders who are aware of the basic needs of our people and make them a priority concern for government action. These are the leaders who are humble, unassuming, with integrity and a high sense of responsibility, and have no personal or political agenda but to provide the basic needs of our people.
REGINALD B. TAMAYO,
Marikina City,
reginaldtamayo@yahoo.com