On being against VP Leni
Originally written on: April 21, 2022
After watching a lot of VP Leni’s speeches on how her platforms and programs plan to “change the system” and “empower each individual” (non-verbatim), I’m starting to see why some of the people who understand her would still choose to vote against her.
Shempre, ibang subset ang mga ignorante sa mga nakakaintindi. Let’s focus on the latter kasi mas confusing kung bakit ayaw parin kahit gets naman nila what VP Leni stands for.
Here are some reasons why you are still agaisnt VP Leni even after understanding her platforms:
You benefit from the current system.
Let’s start with the obvious. Masaya ka na sa posisyon mo ngayon. Baka nakanganga ka lang buong araw, pero ang laki ng sahod mo. You can think at narealize mo na pag mananalo si Leni, there’s a chance your safe space collapses.
Aminin natin na sa society, maraming matalino at successful na tao na sa tingin natin hindi deserving sa position nila. Kaya nga nagka-fatigue na tayo sa mga “malinis at may napag-aralan.” Kaya nga nauso ang smarth-shaming. It’s not black or white, but people like that do exist. They rest comfortably on their laurels after placing the buden on others. Eto yung bubuwagin ni VP Leni.
You don’t want to risk being disappointed (again).
Understandable. We’re coming from a president that promised a lot and delivered little, so what’s the use of believing that things will be different this time?
Better not to expect anything and just elect leaders that continue to be more of the same. It is always a harder battle for leaders who pick up the reins after a traumatic incident.
But you should find comfort that VP Leni’s programs are comprehensive and detailed enough. Despite the past failed promises, clear platfroms are a much better choice than a vague call for unity.
Unless…
You just want to complain. You don’t want to do the heavy lifting.
Some people just want a scapegoat for their problems. Kaya naging meme yung co-worker mong 10 years na nagsasabing magre-resign na pero andyan parin. People complain about their problems but when presented with the opportunity to change their circumstances, they don’t have the courage to take it.
It’s easier to blame “the system.: Kaya takot ka na if ever VP Leni wins and changes the system, mas magiging obvious na ikaw naman ang kelangan mag effort. In fact, natatakot ka sa mga platforms nyang step-by-step kasi nakikita mo ang kelangan mong gawin to contribute to this change. A working community requires cooperation from the government level down to the individual level.
But human nature is desiring the most benefit at the least amount of effort. When something goes wrong, we want someone to blame, usually anyone but ourselves. Kaya mas okay na yung current situation kasi we’re familiar with it and we can adapt naman eh. Better small increments of hardship compared to new challenges with uncertain results (kahit na nagbibigay naman si VP Leni ng mga failsafes in most cases).
At the end of the day, the moist important takeaway here is that you can lead the horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.
Barrabas was chosen, Hitler was popular, Putin is idolized. Human history has proven time and again that the rational choices aren’t always the ones being chosen.
VP Leni could walk you through her entire platform, dance budots, sing “beautiful tonight,” and everything else she can, but our biases will be the ones to determine our vote. It is out of her power no matter how clearly we get her intentions.
Those above are just some reasons that come to mind and I’m sure they’re not the only ones. Matagal ko na gustong intindihin why people would choose the worse option despite seemingly being wel-learned. Kelangan ko lang ipost kasi sayang pagmumuni ko sa 5 times kong tumae yesterday.
Shoutout sa “Courage To Be Disliked” and “The Psychology of Money” for helpiong me realize some shit about how peoples’ minds work. Good stuff.