Plant seed of self-respect

To serve in the interest of all is every modern man’s mandate. Yet the obligation to serve weighs most on the leaders of the civilized world.

May I then humbly call attention to the bleak state of our country today where civility is under siege by society’s ills.

Our leaders attempt to bring about a brighter future to our people: They build schools and roads. They introduce livelihood programs. And our lawmakers pass laws. But only a few of them has any vision of the prosperity many of our people dream of.

President Aquino can’t fail to see the “picture” of a people with no clear vision to follow.

In the past, our roads were safe and orderly. Pedestrians followed traffic regulations and walked the streets with the least of worries. Motorists likewise were courteous and were aware of the traffic rules.

Today, you don’t feel safe on our streets. Our roads have become a representation of chaos and lawlessness, where traffic rules are violated with impunity and everyone tries to outwit or get ahead of everyone else by all means.

This picture reflects our “way of life.” Lawlessness thrives because we have weak institutions, the result of skewed moral values—and lack of self-respect.

Immanuel Kant once said: “Act in such a way that you always treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, never simply as a means but always at the same time as an end.”

To start, let us look at the picture and ask ourselves: Where am I in it? Do I have the self-respect necessary to restore my country’s pride and glory? However diminished our will to grow, our hearts must remain strong.

Hence, I appeal to President Aquino to break the vicious cycle that perpetuates our country’s problems. Plant the seed of self-respect by making it a government priority and embark on a persistent campaign to direct our citizens to a life that is mindful of the value of self-respect. Thus will our country become truly a land of prosperity—where the future shines with a bright promise for all.

—JULIUS D. TURGANO, jullustu@yahoo.com