President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has announced that the national economy is growing despite the much publicized rallies and other political actions that we always see or hear from the media.

This shows that the bureaucracy and private industries are continuing to undertake activities beneficial to the economy.

It is in the political arena where there are considerable tensions and disagreements.

While conflicts exist in the economic field, as shown by competition for customers, the market is recognized and has proven to be an effective conflict resolution mechanism.

Consumers simply look for the cheapest goods that satisfy what they need.

The choices are clearer in economics than they are in politics.

And those who cannot compete simply close or try to innovate and use technologies that enable them to lower prices while maintaining or improving the quality of their products. The so-called law of supply and demand is the major determinant of the decisions of consumers and sellers.

Can the same be said in politics?

The elections are supposed to be the marketplace where voters make their choices. But the rules of economics and free trade do not apply to most electoral contests.

Those who are chosen are not always of the best quality. And the voters pay a high price for such mistakes.