The difference between the poor countries and the rich ones is not the age of the country. This can be shown by countries like India and Egypt , that are more than 2000 years old, but are poor.
On the other hand, Canada , Australia and New Zealand, that 150 years ago were inexpressive, today are developed countries, and are rich. The difference between poor and rich countries does not reside in the available natural resources.
Japan has a limited territory, 80% mountainous, inadequate for agriculture and cattle raising, but it is the second world economy. The country is like an immense floating factory, importing raw materials from the whole world and exporting manufactured products.
Another example is Switzerland, which does not plant cocoa but has the best chocolate in the world. In its little territory they raise animals and plant the soil during 4 months per year. Not enough, they produce dairy products of the best quality! It is a small country that transmits an image of security, order and labor, which made it the world’s strongest, safest place.
Executives from rich countries who communicate with their counterparts in poor countries show that there is no significant intellectual difference. Race or skin color is also not important. Immigrants labeled lazy in their countries of origin are the productive power in rich European countries.
What is the difference then? The difference is the attitude of the people, framed along the years by the education and the culture and flawed tradition.
On analyzing the behavior of the people in rich and developed countries, we find that the great majority follow the following principles in their lives:
1. Ethics, as a basic principle.
2. Integrity.
3. Responsibility.
4. Respect to the laws and rules.
5. Respect to the rights of other citizens.
6. Work-loving and dedication.
7. Strive for savings & investment.
8. Will of super action.
9. Punctuality.
10. And of course — Discipline
Poor Philippines
The Philippines is a poor country not because we lack natural resources nor because nature was cruel to us. In fact, we are supposedly rich in natural resources. We are poor because we lack the will to comply with and teach these functional principles of rich and develped societies.
Let us hope and pray that many Filipinos could learn and reflect on these so that they might change.
[ROLANDO A. ANSAY]
Courtesy of Webmail
