Second Handers

One of my all time favorite fiction novels is "The Fountainhead" by Ayn Rand. I must have read this book four times! I even saw the movie starring Gary Cooper.

The story talks about an architect called Howard Roark. An architect who refused to follow what the crowd wanted. Choosing instead to make designs that fit the personality of his clients and the function of the structures being ordered from him. Although his clients loved his work and appreciated his genius, he incurred the ire of the general public ("who does he think he is? Better than the rest of us?").

In contrast, there was the publisher Gail Wynand. He was rich and famous. He provided what the crowd (what is also called the "mob") wanted: gossip and sex. He exploited the baser instincts of people to sell more newspapers. It was never about "truth" or making a contribution to humanity. Who wants to read that anyway? He gives the public what it wants.

Ayn Rand calls people like Gail Wynand "second handers"...because they were never the prime movers of mankind.

I'd like to relate this to the emerging candidates for presidency of the Philippines in 2010...who are the "prime movers" and the "second handers"? Is it the one who let's you hear what you want to hear? Or plays to the applause of the crowd?

...Or is it the one who has proven, time and again, that he will defy the "popular" will to do what is right?

Among all the candidates for 2010, it is only Bayani Fernando who has proven that he will not let himself be swayed by demonstrations of "false compassion". Beyond doing what is necessary to clear the streets and impose discipline in Metro Manila, he has created a transformation that was unthinkable ten years ago: that it was possible to impose the rule of law in Metro Manila to protect the rights of many.

A victory for Bayani Fernando in 2010 will show that the FIlipinos are ready to be governed the right way. Let's not wait for another 6 years...please.

Jay Araullo