It's really d*mn frustrating when people kept having the same SELF-DEFEATING ARGUMENT that nothing is wrong with the system but just the people. Some people think the system is merely on who's in charge. That's what Pignoy Ako Blog by changing the system since they had to wait UNTIL 2022. Some people are still looking for a perfect leader. This reminds me of the G.I. Joe cartoon when Hasbro ended up jumping the shark. People were too used to having Cobra Commander as the main antagonist. Hasbro jumped the shark when they decided to introduce Serpentor - a genetically modified super-soldier created from the evilest leaders in history. As the toy commercial goes that Destro and Dr. Mindbender feared that Cobra Commander no longer had the ability to lead, decided to get the genetic tissues of the evilest leaders in history to create the composite clone, Serpentor.
Revisiting the introduction to Season 2
I decided to rewatch the five-part mini-series that led to even inferior G.I. Joe episodes IMHO. I think Serpentor remains as The Scrappy of G.I. Joe. I believe many were glad to see him finally GONE from G.I. Joe when Cobra Commander returned to semi-human form and merged him with Gnawgahyde's pet iguana in the DiC series. The five-part mini-series begins with Cobra Commander trying to defeat G.I. Joe. Cobra Commander has too much power in his hands that the Crimson Twins' advice is ignored. The Crimson Twins were right about keeping some forces in reserve. Cobra Commander nearly won until Sgt. Slaughter arrived. It was a close victory. I do love how the Crimson Twins screamed, "Cobra Commander has done it again!"
The next part moves to Cobra headquarters in the Terrordome. Cobra Commander berates Dr. Mindbender for the Battle Android Troopers (BATs) being mere designer dollies. Dr. Mindbender says that the BATs were perfect IF they were deployed correctly. Dr. Mindbender, rather than change the way COBRA is run, has a recurring dream that the time for a new COBRA leader is now. Dr. Mindbender gets a dream that the best way for COBRA to achieve its victory is by CREATING A NEW LEADER. If Dr. Mindbender can't find the perfect leader then why not create him? Dr. Mindbender later holds a meeting with Destro, Tomax, and Xamot (in a perfect act of rebellion ready to spring back at Cobra Commander). Dr. Mindbender says, "Since our current leader is worthless - I will make a new one!" The plan was to use the DNA of some of the evilest leaders in history such as Napoleon Bonaparte, Genghis Khan, Ivan the Terrible (though Joseph Stalin would suffice), and Alexander the Great. The show seems to hint that Adolf Hitler's DNA was added with the Nazi salute and Serpentor's boast of a thousand-year rule.
It was fun to think about the history lessons. However, many of the tombs are merely fictitious locations. It's also scientifically impossible to create Serpentor from DEAD DNA. The DNA of the dead tyrants would be LONG GONE. Hey, this is fiction so let's just screw logic. Dr. Mindbender begins with the quest in which he also gets other DNA samples such as Ulrich the Batterer, Vlad Tepes, Montezuma the Great, a fictional Egyptian general named Xanuth Amon Thoth (a reference that Serpentor and later Wrath-Amon are based on THOTH-AMON), Julius Caesar (who was cremated so it's even funnier), and there was also Sun Tzu's burial mound. Though, I think Dr. Mindbender could've aimed for Mao Zedong's DNA. Mao knew Guerilla Warfare and such DNA would've helped Serpentor develop a perfect revolution against American capitalism. Instead. Dr. Mindbender's stupidity had him get Sgt. Slaughter's DNA as a substitute when Sun Tzu's DNA was lost. True, Serpentor had the strength of Sgt. Slaughter (and Sgt. Slaughter broke the canister too late) but wasn't an efficient leader either.
The move to overthrow Cobra Commander for Serpentor was another. Cobra Commander tried to manipulate Serpentor into becoming a puppet. However, Serpentor merely whacked Cobra Commander showing the strength he inherited from Sgt. Slaughter's DNA. Serpentor soon declared, "I am NOT SYMBOLIC! I am your emperor and master!" Serpentor says, "The essence of my existence is this! I order, you obey and fear me!" The COBRA forces then declare Serpentor their new leader. The COBRA Vipers are now declaring Serpentor their emperor. The battle cry is, "Where Serpentor leads! COBRA follows! COBRA!" What happens is merely a change in person. Serpentor was still bound to run COBRA like COBRA. Serpentor may be more aggressive but he's no less stupid. Serpentor still has typical cartoon villainy in the way he moves. Serpentor then creates the SUICIDAL CHARGE against Washington DC to which they plan to conquer the USA one way or another.
What truly made me laugh rewatching it was the mere change in power. Serpentor was still bound to COBRA's insane idiocy. Serpentor's charge against Washington DC was successful (at first). We can see Dr. Mindbender, Tomax, Xamot, and a couple of COBRA Vipers chant out "Serpentor! Serpentor!" repeatedly. Serpentor demanded the US Government to surrender to him. Serpentor, like Cobra Commander, lacked patience but to an even greater degree. However, the G.I.Joe team managed to finally repel off Serpentor. COBRA was nearly destroyed. Cobra Commander had to convince Serpentor to keep him around as a scapegoat. Hmmm... doesn't that remind you of somebody who's no longer around but had a legacy of blaming his predecessor?
How Season 2 further proved Serpentor was no real leader either
Sure, COBRA managed to create a leader from some of the greatest tyrannical tyrants and military leaders. However, COBRA's overall system was no less different even under a different leader. Serpentor was still stuck with insane plans for world domination. Who can forget about the episodes such as launching people into space, the COBRA telethon to raise funds for a computer virus, the age-reverse technology, and maybe I could mention Madame Veil's face transference machine? Serpentor thinking that Madame Veil's technology is valuable to COBRA is no different than Cobra Commander's insane plans for world domination.
The only difference between Serpentor and Cobra Commander is their practicality. Sure, Cobra Commander is an IDIOT but he knows when to retreat. Serpentor was bound by SUICIDAL OVERCONFIDENCE. Serpentor used Cobra Commander as a scapegoat so the royal Vipers can't find out how IMPERFECT he really is. Such an act caused Cobra Commander to want to get his former position back. Cobra Commander came up with creative schemes to try and get rid of his usurper Serpentor one way or another. It's laughable how Serpentor usually led from the Terrordrome. Though, there were a few times Serpentor was active. Yet, we know how Serpentor also BUNGLED UP the second-hand emotions organ or the nightmare machine (both good plans) with his impatience.
For all the efforts to create the "perfect leader" - Dr. Mindbender had more than what he bargained. Many times, Serpentor's insane projects were totally a result of the way COBRA operates. Cobra Commander was practically commanding like an emperor. Serpentor became an "emperor" in some way even if COBRA was more of a terrorist organization an a legitimate government. Though, the comics did have Serpentor turn COBRA Island into a sovereign state. G.I. Joe (in the comics) were tasked to side with Serpentor who was viewed as a monarch than a dictator. Serpentor was still bound to the insanely stupid rules of how COBRA is run. The whole quest for a new leader was nothing more than a bad move. In fact, I heard Serpentor is heavily disliked and gets viewed as The Scrappy of G.I. Joe.
This just reminds me of the anti-reform arguments that it's all about people and not systems
This reminds me of the arguments I threw at Jason VOORHEES in this article at Get Real Philippines about having a Philippine Parliament. I even wonder if his arguments about the so-called Marcos Sr. Parliament are out of ignorance or is he a malicious guy? The so-called "empirical evidence" Jason has presented in the comments doesn't defend a parliamentary system. Since when did a real parliament have the Marcos Sr. arrangement such as how Cesar Virata was NOTHING MORE THAN A GLORIFIED STATE ASSISTANT? Virata's position is similar to South Korea's prime minister who is but an assistant to the president. Jason's arguments are so mind-numbing. I wonder if Jason's solution here is to get a hockey mask, get a machete, start massacring the politicians then look for a perfect leader?
This has to be one of the dumbest things Jason had to say:
Filipinos are sui generis incomparable to other races you have mentioned where parliamentary system of govt works for them. Sadly, parliamentary system is detrimental to PH politics. There will be concentration of powers both in executive and legislative branches of government where dominant party and its allies in congress will just do everything to stay in power forever even if it is so abusive. Nobody trust Filipino politicians to be humble and dignified. Congress can’t even simply pass anti dynasty law even if it is a policy of the constitution because everyone wants to stay in power.
Just look at Gloria Arroyo, it appears she doesn’t want to give up politics long after she became president. She is always greedy and hunger for power. She is like former president FEM who cancelled presidential election and changes presidential system to parliamentary for him to prolong his presidency for 20 years straight. If possible, they don’t want to share powers with others as if they made this country progressive into a first world calibre. But no, Filipinos suffered a lot in their time.
Then we have the long list which really makes me LMAO at Jason's argument. Hence, I replied to him and called him Jason VOORHEES. If you read on the Get Real Philippines site the arguments - it gets laughable how he continues to insist that the Marcos Sr. years were a real parliament. Come on, the late Ninoy Aquino even said, "We had a parliamentary WITHOUT a parliament." The Butasang Pambulsa was nothing more than for show. Yet, Jason here still insists that it was a "real parliament" with the term "MODIFIED parliament". Yet, Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. was ousted as a PRESIDENT and NOT A PRIME MINISTER. The late Lee Kuan Yew even called Virata a NON-LEADER. Jason even goes as far as to say that it's just opinions. Does Jason think here he's smarter than Lee Kuan Yew and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong?
This was another argument of this that amused me to no end:
Sean Akizuki,
Again, parliamentary system of government will not work in the Philippines. It is presidential since 1900 and to shift to parliamentary is an unfamiliar territory plus the Filipino politicians are only after corruption even to the expense of taxpayers. No matter how you change the branches of tree, if the same monkey mentality that will manage the system, they will find a way how to corrupt and corrupt absolutely through conspiracy in committing a crime. Just look at the Bureau of Customs and Bureau of Internal Revenue in the Philippines, the system in those bureaus was modified several times but employees still find a way how to commit a crime through bribery and corruption of public officials. It is all about the ways, means, and mentality of officials that will really need to change first. National leaders should lead an example. We need strict leaders to lead the way. But BBM is someone not capable. He cannot even absolutely axe his former Executive Secretary. Philippines has a long way to go. We need mature voters first who will choose substance rather than famous familiar names and faces.
The argument goes it's the same monkeys. Doesn't he realize that systems influence behavior? I did address weekly questioning. For example, I think the BuCor and the BIR having problems are because of the presidential system. I did mention that if people were called every week - it can change things. If the tree was replaced, if the tree had certain restrictions, do you think the monkeys will misbehave? Then Jason (probably with his machete on-hand) with this FAULTY line of reasoning where he ignores Lee Kuan Yew's words as "mere opinions" to his "perfect facts":
The 1987 constitution presidential type of government is just perfect fit for this country. Even with strict measures of checks and balances already in place under PH laws, people in government still found a way to corrupt because of conspiracy of anomalous deals and transactions by government officials. And they hardly get imprisoned. How much more if we shift to parliamentary system where conspiracy between the congress and executive officials will be easy to employ. As I said, nobody trust Filipino politicians to be dignified and humble, they will only find ways how to perpetuate in power specially if it will serve their selfish desires and agenda.
And we cannot entrust parliamentary system in this current incumbent officials. Just look at the less than 100 days of BBM’s administration and it already produced numbers of incompetence, anomalies, and mediocrities. This I think is the worst less than 100 days of Philippine president’s administration. Most noted controversials are the DSWD unorganized giving of freebies turned into a mob rule led by Secretary Tulfo, the messed up planned importation of sugar where the executive secretary of BBM is the center of controversy that led to his thick face pseudo resignation where he is only planned to reshuffle to other cabinet position, higher inflation of basic goods and commodities, lowest peso value since former president Estrada, more hungry and unemployed Filipinos eating “pagpag” or leftover foods, corruption and bribery among others.
This is what 31 million Filipino voters get by electing the high school graduate/college dropout president who appears unprepared for his post and does not know basic economics.
Hmmm did this guy even bother to find out that Lee Kuan Yew inherited a Singapore WORSE THAN THE PHILIPPINES? Either the guy is saying things out of ignorance or he's posting comments to MISLEAD PEOPLE. What we can see is that the guy probably still thinks, "Perfect leader first, parliamentary later." The 1987 Constitution is just perfect? Please, is this guy subscribing to Hilarios Davide when there are other people worth listening to like Kishore Mahbubani? Then this comment also made me LMAO at how Jason is probably still going on a rampage with a machete in a hockey mask:
Sean Akizuki,
Damn. You are persistent. You are gravely mistaken if you think the system used by those developed countries with parliamentary governments like Singapore, Japan, Australia, and Britain will work in the Philippines. Your weekly live questioning won’t work here. It is useless. Even how many questions asked against Filipino politicians in a parliamentary system that will expose their ineptitudes or corruption, they will not flinch as long as they have allies that will favor them who are biased and loyal to them, they will hold onto power so long as possible. Filipino politicans have thick skinned, thick faces like crocodiles who don’t have ears to listen to the pleas of the public, unlike other countries politicians who know exactly when to stop and resign. Filipino politicians, on the other hand, don’t know accountability, integrity, shame, and honor. Look at how many Filipino politicians kept on running for higher office even if they are not highly qualified because they are in showbizness, and those politicians who are detained in prison for pending cases, even how many times the public ridiculed them and their family and their political party, even if they were caught red handed, they still did not resign and they kept on running. They don’t know embarassment of any sort. The only way for them to stop is to be dead or the court will hand them down guilty verdict that will disqualify them from running for office or by reason of a very old age. That’s the trend of politicians mindset in the Philippines for many years since Marcos Sr’s term and until today.
Doesn't Jason here see that the problem has to do that the system encourages thick-faced mentality to begin with? It's a lack of questioning. The same insistence that the Marcos Sr. years were parliamentary then it ends up with "Parliamentary will never work because of the system!" Well, sorry to say but it seems Jason here thinks that the parliamentary system is all about pasikatan like the presidential system. I'm laughing at his comment. This one also came which is also TOO FUNNY:
To emphasize, weekly grilling in presidential is actually live on TV and can be seen by the public immediately and these scenarious are recorded where mainstream media can make reports and post them in social media where public can freely criticize the government. Although it is not the same as your parliamentary system where prime minister is the one to get direct incriminating questions, but in history of Philippine politics, it is hardly that Malacanang palace and the legislators will be moved by public criticisms even they were obviously guilty of misdeeds.
All you cited above are pros/advantages of the parliamentary. If you are really sincere about it, you should cite its cons/disadvantages. Focus on the weak spots because that’s where Filipino politicians love to feast on. If they see the vulnerabilities of the system, expect that they will exploit the opportunities to their own advantage. For example, in presidential system of the Philippines, it is good by the books only where executive, legislative, and judiciary are put in equal footing and are independent of each other. But in reality, what’s happening is actually the opposite because the executive will put too much pressure on legislative on what laws they will pass, on not allowing opposition to advance impeachment complaint. And notice in budget deliberations, office of the chief executive budget will be approved and they are always approved in less than 10 minutes without a sweat by the legislature and without instant grilling unlike in other branches and departments of government where they will be grilled for an hour or so by the legislature before budget will be approved or rejected.
In your parliamentary, despite you are praising it, an example of imbalance I found:
“A majority government is usually assured of having its legislation passed and rarely, if ever, has to fear being defeated in parliament, a state also known as a working majority. In contrast, a minority government must constantly bargain for support from other parties in order to pass legislation and avoid being defeated on motions of no confidence. Single-party majority governments tend be formed in the aftermath of strong election performances.”
Looks like I will expect that scenario in Philippine politics if we change the system. If you want to introduce new system in the Philippines, make sure it has no weak spots because in history, Filipino politicians tend to abuse the system. One reason is that they have discretionary power given by the system, that sole and exclusive power they used that to gain influence, misappropriate the public funds, nepotism, and corruption. Ever heard of “what are we in power for”? That’s mostly the mentality of politicians here. If your parliamentary doesn’t have that discretionary power that Filipino politicians will use, then maybe it will work in the Philippines.
You sure are filled with hope and expectations for our politicians that they will eventually change because of your system. I’m not angry at you, but I pity you because you are naive, you are more focus on theory rather than on practice. It’s time to knock you out of the reality here. In reality and for the longest time, Filipino politicians are practicing not what is ideal on the system of government but what’s working most especially to advance their selfish interests because they have discretion and they have power to do so. We have strict laws in place, but they are not properly implemented because politicians task to implement them will rather not use them to their own disadvantage. Can we expect change on the mindset of politicians to your parliamentary? I doubt so. Pinoy Politicians are thick faces, mostly dishonest, and known not having shame and honor despite of public constant criticisms even on live TV. Well, they have done that before. That’s the reason I’m always negative because Filipino politicians gave me so much negative vibes and bad experiences for a long time.
I assume by now that Jason VOORHEES here is expecting a PERFECT LEADER by creating a system with no weak spots. He doesn't even see the advantage of the weekly grilling as not just the press but a debate between the MAJORITY and the MINORITY bloc. The press is there as well. The so-called "weekly questioning" done in the presidential system is nothing more than the president. What about the others? How often was former health secretary Francisco Duque required to submit a report regarding COVID-19 relief plans? How often did Michael Aguinaldo get to act as a shadow minister of audit against PDP-Laban? How often are we seeing Leni Loud Robredo grilling Bobong Marcos live on TV? How often are we seeing the cabinet facing off against the shadow cabinet?
I guess Jason VOORHEES, like Dr. Mindbender, wants to create his "perfect leader". Bad news for him - creating Serpentor is SCIENTIFICALLY IMPOSSIBLE. Planning to get the DNA of Lee Kuan Yew? Lee Kuan Yew was CREMATED. The corpses would also contain nothing more than DEAD DNA. I guess Jason still deludes into finding the perfect leader. If Jason can't find the "perfect leader" - I guess he'll attempt to create one. Jason will NEVER GET IT (and I guess it's because he REFUSES TO GET IT) that he still insists in his blunder that the parliamentary system will not change governance.
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