Two and one-half years ago, when the news was dominated by Ernesto Pérez Balladares's abominable behavior, a lot of people signed petitions for the convocation of a constituent assembly to draft a new constitution. At the time, the move seemed an urgent necessity in order to get around the PRD's attempts to pack the Supreme Court with a fifth bench, maintain control over the lucrative taxi cupo racket by creating an authority appointed by the lame duck president, and so on. But the "realistic" politicians opposed this call, slinging mud at its principal maker Miguel Antonio Bernal and assuring people that they would be able to bring things under control. Now that we have all seen what the political insiders meant, only a small minority of public opinion is impressed.

While the great majority of the political class is preoccupied with collecting the most from the ongoing crime wave, a few of its dissidents, along with the bulk of Panama's business, labor, religious and civic leaders, are now clamoring for dramatic change. More and more, we hear prominent voices call for a constituent assembly, the kind that can bring the Moscoso administration, the current Legislative Assembly and the current Supreme Court to an abrupt and early end.

The growing majority that favors this end-run around corruption will have a hard time agreeing upon the specific terms of a new constitution. Then there's the matter of how to elect members to the body that would write the constitution, because the present constitution, a product of the dictatorship, is designed so that any election for a constituent assembly would be tainted by the same systemic faults that people want to eliminate. However, that's a bit of democratic messiness that Panama can work its way through. The practical aspects of keeping essential public services going while casting out Mireya and all the legislators, judges and prosecutors would also be messy --- but it's still a good idea.

Whatever the rules of a Constituent Assembly election, and whatever advantages the entrenched political parties may have, it's a safe bet that the Panamanian people are not likely to respond to appeals that amount to "it's our turn to steal!" or "let's hold onto what we have!" The voters would opt for change, not more of the same, if given an opportunity at this time.

The change that Panama needs won't come from the Americans or the Europeans, nor from some charismatic leader, nor from a different political party that's motivated by the same greed that has cost this country so much. It must come from Panamanians of all walks of life closing ranks and standing up to the arrogant cliques who have hijacked and perverted our democratic institutions. It's time to do that.

It is better to be subject to the Laws under one Master, than to be subservient to many.

Catherine the Great

You have put me in here a cub, but I will come out roaring like a lion, and I will make all Hell howl.

Cary Nation, when being jailed

No fools, drunks or female scolds are allowed in the doctor's house when a patient is healing there. No bad news to be brought, and no talking across the bed. No grunting of pigs or barking of dogs outside.

ancient Irish Brehon law

© 2002 by The Panama News All Rights Reserved For information or problems with this page contact: editor@ThePanamaNews.com
News Business Editorial Opinion Letters Arts Reviews Community Fun Travel Galleries Calendar Outdoors Dining Science Sports Español Archive Front Page