Free Market and the Individual

MAR: “O, why naman you rejected my offer?”

Me: “I’m pursuing my journalism career. And I plan to study too.”

MAR: “The studying part, I can help you with that. But more importantly, are you really happy with your job right now? Do you really want to spend the rest of your life observing the events as they happen, but in the sidelines? How about being really involved in how our country is being shaped? You’re joining the ‘big league’ here. And about the studying part, I think you’ll get a much more fulfilling education while working hands-on on the things that matter to our country.”

Me: “I get your point. But I have this dilemma: if I join you–a politician, someone I cover–then I’m compromising my career now. I can’t go back to journalism after this. So I’m making this risk. So first of all, I want to know what you stand for and if it does not conflict with my own beliefs. Admittedly, I don’t know you too well, I don’t get to interview you much. What I know is that you’re a free marketeer, and I’m inclined towards socialism.”

MAR: “True, I’m for a free market. But more importantly, I am for fairness. I am for equal opportunity for all. So the free market must work for those principles and under those principles. That’s why, if you don’t know, I was among those who blocked the first world agenda in WTO-Cancun because it is unfair. I am against injustice, like what happened to the daughters of the two mothers who went here. I believe in the individual–that he is the greatest resource our country has. And the government must take care of them, not like what’s happening now.”

I now work as Mar’s Deputy Communications head.