OPINION: Buying poll popularity

La Prensa, Sep 17, on the government staff pay raise

THE TEMPTATION to seek popularity at the expense of public spending is always very strong for all politicians, especially those facing any electoral process.

There is no other plausible explanation for the fact that near the end of the period of budget presentations of public entities, appears a new and urgent wage, justifiable and deserved, but totally unexpected commitment for  the various government entities

Apparently there was np better way to stimulate the popularity of the ruling party.

What if it allocated more resources to garbage collection, repair schools, or patching streets and sidewalks?

There are so many resources available in state entities, such as simple saving measures and  more efficiency  among the more than 60 million [state employees], why are  not these mechanisms used to reduce the large budget and growing public debt?

To govern is not the simple act of following the polls. On the contrary ,to  administer the state requires leadership and maturity to make the tough decisions that the country needs. These qualities make are much lacking.