(Babble On column for Sunstar Davao, Friday Nov. 7, 2008)
Obama won, and the whole world couldn’t be happier.
I am a supporter of Obama too, even if I couldn’t vote for him. I hoped and prayed he would win, in order to help change America and the world.
But watching him give his victory speech, listening to him evoke feelings of hope, change and possibility, I am suddenly melancholic. I can’t help but feel just a little bit sad.
Sad because America has now shifted political directions for the better, while Philippine politics remains the same.
Sad because America is evolving, while the Philippines is not.
Sad because a Black man, a minority, and from all indications NOT a rich man, can become President of the United States; while minorities in the Philippines and people who are NOT rich, cannot become President.
Sad because America has a leader they can be proud of, while we, for the time being, do not.
Sad because America’s elections is bloodless with no deaths or guns or goons, while our own elections involves goons, guns, gold, vote-buying and fertilizer scams.
Sad because America now has hope, while we remain hopeless.
Not only am I sad, but I am also envious. One man is galvanizing America for the better. Here in the Philippines, we have no such man. Or at least, not yet. Where’s that man? Where’s our change? Where’s our hope? Where’s our Obama?
I guess we’ll find out in 2010.
The reason that someone in the Philippines cannot be a poor person as a child and some day become president is because your country is run with the very same politics that Obama is pushing. The Obama’s were an average income family, and he has become a very wealthy man over the years. He made about 2 million dollars on his last book alone. Half of America is very happy right now because of the hope and change he says is coming, and the other half is very sad because he is saying “I can do it under the current system of government, but you cannot”. A socialized system of government is what KEEPS people from the opportunity that he had. Everyone in America wants change from the current economic crises, but half the country does not support what Obama is doing, which is to change from capitalism to socialism (which eventually leads to communism).
Your thoughts?
Daniel, you have an interesting viewpoint but I don’t quite agree with it. Especially since we are still unclear as to whether Obama really wants actual socialism or communism as you claim. Nevertheless, I respect your opinion on the matter, and still hope that one day my country has its own Obama (or at least someone who is sort of like him).
Thanks very much.