Manila – The Philippines, as with most democracies around the globe has its fair share of families ruling and otherwise involved in the what is often the major participatory and spectator sport in nearly every corner of the country.

To say it something unique to Philippine Politics would be unfair – America has its Bushes and Kennedy’s, England has it Royals oh uncommon members of house of commons who have served in parliament for generations.

France is no stranger to it too nor so Italy – and – many others parts of the globe.
A strong family name is like a quality soft drink, one knows what one is getting when one buys a coke or pepsi or pops into a Mcdonalds or Burger King.

Family’s in political service are often no different. Since democratic elections have been established across the globe in all continents there is often succession from father to son or daughter or wife. Grandchildren too often fill the seats of parliament or congress held by those who came before them.

AMERICAN POLITICAL DYNASTIES:
Run a question of the title above on any search engine and you are bound to be taken to pages that read as pretty much as such.  The Kennedy’s, for example, are particularly associated with Massachusetts; then there is the Long family of Louisiana, still in the South one finds the Lees in Virginia, always mentioned albeit not always bearing the surname the Roosevelt’s of New York not to mention the Cuomo’s and others, Chicago and the Daley’s are three generations or more in many positions within Illinois. and more specifically Chicago,
Muhlenbergs to large extent still hold influence and power over Pennsylvania, of course one cannot forget the Ohio Tafts.

Migratory but powerful are political families less geographically set or connected; the Bush family began in Ohio and Connecticut, But is in the Long star Republic of Texas, where political power flowed like Oil gushing a son and father to the White House at the same time while another Bush was the governor of Florida.

Even the northeastern new England nobility of the Kennedy clan has member Maria Shriver’s husband Arnold Schwarzenegger in its mix as governor of California albeit Arnold is a in-law and a Republican.

There are also the Udalls who serve in Congress from Colorado and New Mexico. The list goes on and on at the State and local level.
Political families are like fast food – voter familiar and friendly even if they look and seem the same the bitter aftertaste of past experience often affects the service or at times does not quite live up to it’s name.

As to the present status of many of these families in political life? Some continue to serve in a traditional sense in the name of thier fathers and families most do a good job at it. But rarely does a name do more than open a door. Make one foundly remember those past figures of ones life.  It is up to the present generation to live up to the same level of leadership required – or – in some areas live down the past history when it has a bad light cast on it.

In some cases there are glaring disappointments… in some there are surprises too. Some do exceed the deeds of earlier generations – some do destroy the good name – others make it better.

But we in this century live in a world of empowered peoples in Democracy – nearly 80 per cent of the world’s nation states follow a form of popular rule. The few exceptions are hereditary rule by a historical more often powerless or figurehead type of monarchy or dictatorial groups or persons.

Hence, what’s in a name? A lot – but also little more than the name itself carried by those seeking to carry on in tradition or create a new path for themselves. For we are all our parents children – sons and daughters of the men and women who raised us. But we this generation is different other than lessons learned what is put into practice will make or break any leader.

If anything, family and familiarity are important to voters in uncertain times. But those voters must look beyond the fond memories and also remember the harsh realities that often the past had hard times too.

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