It’s barely a month before the US Election; some contenders are throwing punches with dirty gloves to desperately win the coveted position of the most powerful man in the whole world, while the whole world is all eyes on the most powerful country in this planet. Yet this country, the USA who continues to assert their intellectual dominance as a people, is also home of the most ignorant people in issues like globalized economy, ecology and security among nations. They think that they as a people had been existing within the confines of their territory, therefore why does other nations have to interfere or be so engrossed with what is going on in their Election.
“When America sneezes the whole world catches cold”, who ever authored this familiar quote, should be saluted for his accuracy and prophetic mark. Unfortunately though, under the present scenario, the world will not only catch colds, it gets more fatal illnesses. The US Economy on the edge has placed other countries in a quandary including a small country like the Philippines. Whatever nationality race or creed, we would wonder how fast this economic giant could stand-up again after this economic slip. How it reached this point of blistering economic turmoil is history. The facts are a jigsaw puzzle which the McCain camp describes as a “blame game”, when the Obama camp tried to explain in simpler terms how this seem to be invincible economy isn’t invincible at all.
What had happened in America is a glistening reality that it is nothing can not fall if it is left to rise unattended, “What goes up must come down”. The natural law of coefficient of elasticity is true in all aspect. There is always a limit to how far a certain stretch can tolerate or break. The breaking point of the US economy is an eye-opener to other nations, not focus on the US economy alone because this dependency leads to a myopic view of the world. Economic pundits say there is no quick cure for the US economic epidemic. It will take some time for this economy to bounce back to its height as it did several years ago.
Looking at it in an outsider’s perspective is like peering into a microscope. Microorganisms ravaging the last maggot of a decaying flesh. Not even a quick drop of formalin solution can kill these scavengers. It is so gruesome and yet we can not stop to think, where will we go from here? America has been part of our lives 24 hours a day, even when we are asleep. Will we just sit down and watch this great country slip away and say, “Alas… you’re done! Shame on you arrogant people! You always think you know better! Yes, you give us jobs but you treat us like commodities. Our women, your sex objects! We take care of your sick and elderly and yet you insult us and label us with unwarranted names!” So, is it best that we sneer at their doom? Can we just look away from here and say, “it’s their mess any way why should I be part of the clean up?”
It is sad, as a Filipino, history cannot tell lies how our fathers fought for this great nation, America. Our forefathers stood side by side with Americans for a single ideology of democracy and they won. As a people, we were beholden by their tenacity to push democratic reforms all over the world. Their vision helped place our country in world wide acceptance. They educated us and recognized our potential as a people. Although we may oppose their foreign policies at present, we can not hide the passion to be under their shield. It is naivety to say we don’t need them any way.
So… we watch closely this coming US Election which will be less than a month from today. We look at the contenders with the same dedication as the electorates in America. Will the next President be wary of the diversity of its people which includes the Filipinos among others? Will he be able to transcend its people beyond its boundaries but at the same time cautious where his toes may step upon on other sovereignties? Will he be able to fuel the economy through programs that may improve the lives of Americans on the brink of bankruptcy? Will he be able to provide jobs for its people and give us the same opportunity to be part of their workforce? Desperate questions for a global bankruptcy at stake. We are asking the next US President to be a super hero! How pathetic! Unfortunately, not one of the contenders is a saint or a god!
The world is demographically young and yet youths’ place in governance has been constricted by their stereotyped restlessness. But today is reality. It is inevitable to put governance to the younger leadership who has more understanding and in touch with the rhythm of political verves in the world. On this score, I would put my fate to BARACK OBAMA. I have faith in his strong will for change. He is an epitome of an American bastion of modern leadership, an educated man yet humble in many sense. This is the man who will restore trust and friendship to the fading luster of Americans all over the world. This is the man who will end the “anti-American” stigma because today, imperialism in whatever form, economic or political has become a crypt or antiquated ideology. Today is the future is and OBAMA is today!
