|
|
Article: E pluribus unum.(Opinion & Editorial)
- Article from:
- Manila Bulletin
- Article date:
- June 14, 2006
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 Manila Bulletin Publishing Corp. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
Byline: Breakfast Table: Adrian Cristobal
PRESIDENT Arroyo's Independence Day statement that while democracy could be lively, it shouldn't be divisive, was a take-off from the US government's motto, "E Pluribus Unum."
It's commonly interpreted as "unity in diversity," but its literal meaning is "one out of many." One national society is created out of many states, institutions, and individuals, each with an assigned function so that single entity can gain too much power over the rest.
This is an ideal situation that's worth striving for. That's why American constitutionalists have consistently criticized what they call "the imperial ...