Sen. Sarah Palin stirs the healthcare debate with her warning of the “death panel”
If Alaska Sen. Sarah Palin is dumb as her detractors have portrayed her all along, how come, in spite of her resignation from her governorship, she has been getting attention from the American public? In her recent indictment of the healthcare overhaul proposal of Pres. Barack Obama, she speaks of a “death panel” that looms when it is approved.
Sen. Palin refers to the effect of rationing that has to be done to rein over the cost of medical care. Rationing is almost inevitable in Obama’s healthcare reform for it plans to cover 47 million uninsured people including illegal aliens. There will be sharp need for doctors and nurses for the expected rise in the demand of medical services. Long waiting times may occur. Quality of care will suffer. Delays in diagnostics and treatments like what happens in Canada and other countries are likely. All these can result to an overall rise in the price of the whole healthcare services. And it can lead to the decline in the preeminence of US medical care which attracts patients worldwide.
There are sectors in society who boldly sell their judgment on who is worthy to avail of the resources of the government. If there will be any cost-cutting measures, the elderly, the disabled, the very young and handicapped are threatened to be denied of services in favor of the young and productive.
Healthcare Discrimination
Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, the brother of the White House chief of staff, a radical adviser of Barack Obama believes that the life of Americans 15 to 50 years are more valuable and therefore deserving of services more than the old, the chronically ill, and the dying. Put in a compromising stance, Emanuel disavowed his previous support on rationing. Disguised as humanitarian, his scary point of view is an extension of the old debate that supposes that the unborn in the womb is expendable and it’s OK to abort them. Obama is pro-abortion.
After reversing the pro-life policy of Pres. George W. Bush, Obama has already started funding of abortion at taxpayers’ expense not only in the United States, but outside the country. One can see why the debate on “death panel” raised by Palin has morphed into a human rights and moral issue that casts doubt on the Obama plan. The selection on who may live may shift from fetuses in utero to those who are old and unproductive in society.
My Personal Experience
Sen. Palin knows so well because of Trig, her son born with disabling Down’s Syndrome. I can just sympathize with her because I too am handicapped with an unrelenting rare blood disorder. Under Medicare, I have been denied of diagnostic tests and treatments, an aftermath of cost-cutting and government rules interfering with my doctor’s medical judgment.
My doctor and I have to be contented with a medical regimen that is second in line (and probably less effective than what was originally planned.) Such insurance-mandated treatments may shorten my survival and that of other patients who are prevented to get the first line medical intervention.
I have to buy additional coverage from private insurances to help when my primary insurance falters. Speaking from experiene, by responsibly planning one's medical needs and spending for them, one can avoid devastating mistakes. Despite the imperfections of my coverage, my gut tells me problems in healthcare will worsen with what Obama is proposing.
End of Life Issues & Medical Reimbursement
In a push to “popularize” end of life decisions, a group of Obama supporters have inserted in the healthcare bill an end of life provision that will give reimbursements to doctors who discuss to their patients on how to decide on death issues. The provision somehow validates Palin’s “death panel” fears. It is a step closer to the door of euthanasia or something more sinisterly evil. Though optional, the proposed money incentive creates a pressure to direct a patient to decide. To avoid problems ahead, the congressmen decided to drop the provision.
Sarah’s liberal detractors labeled her assertions as “false rumors” and "alarmist" but the intent of the Medicare reimbursements are ominously suggestive. The provision they dropped has hints of selective triage on who deserves to live. That’s not unexpected for there those who won’t stop at anything---at a cost on trampling on age-old moral values---just to cut down the expense of healthcare.
The old and the very young and those with diseases requiring expensive treatments are vulnerable in these cost-saving measures. If they think certain persons are socially expendable, they want to throw the sanctity of life out of the window. Assurances to the contrary is offered by Obama, but will they hold when the right time comes?
Healthcare Intrusion to Private Lives
Plans are in the offing for a group of health experts in government to oversee the decision on who can avail of standard medical care and who will avail of them with what kind of doctor and where. The experts will have access to information of patients when electronic records are set up. Those who fall outside their regulations may be denied or be challenged to go on appeal, delaying treatment, without assurance of success. So we know why the healthcare debate has heated up all over America.
Bureaucrats are inching their way to ram into the throats of the public a social plan that tends to devalue the life of a certain segment of society. The town meetings across America are airing the voice of the angry opposition. Trying to snuff off dissent, those who want to push the healthcare reform have accused these meetings as disruptive handiworks of the mob. Obama blamed the media for paying attention to the protesters.
Foiling Effective Dialogue
Sen. Nancy Pelosi of California (D,) among other partisans, called protesters of the heathcare bill anti-American and pro-Nazi. Such immature accusations by a government official frustrates meaningful discussions to resolve the complex issues of the problem.
The healthcare proposal is promised to be cheap. But the calculations of expenses have run into trillions of dollars that compromise taxpayers’ money. The huge spending and debts scare ordinary Americans who believe it will be hard to come out solvent in this ambitious plan. There are so many promises to digest from Pres. Barack Obama and his self-avowed cognoscentis. Tempers rise. Frustration and confusion take over.
What Can be Done?
Reining on healthcare expenses can start with limiting bureaucracy and fraud in Medicare and Medicaid. Electronic records will bring savings. Personal healthcare accounts and aavings for expected medical needs must be encouraged. Give the people medical choice (not the single public payer which give the government too much control) to allow market forces to work with competing companies.
Implement tort reform in mediicine to discourage frivolous lawsuits that jack-up the overhead expenses of health professionals. Disease prevention must be emphasized to avoid expensive treatment when people get sick. Limit government intrusion on the freedom of doctors to treat their patients.
Palin as Victim of Media bias
Amazing! Sarah Palin whom the arrogant liberals and the biased media have demonized, cajoled, underestimated and labeled as dumbed now stands in the forefront of “activism." In her straightforward way, the victim of hate and scorn helps make the public aware of the other side of Obama’s healthcare proposal. She asks people to weigh on crucial issues that our health system, comprising a 1/6th of the US economy.
Sarah may be more informed than some of her political counterparts. Many lawmakers and their constituents don’t know the intricacies of the healthcare bill which comes in more than a 1,000 pages. Majority of lawmakers don’t know what is in the book. They haven’t read it. But Obama wants it approved in a snap of a hand, just like the $787 billion bailout that is hyped as the panacea of America’s financial problems. In bated breath, America is waiting with trepidation. (Photo Credit: infacinatorin; healthcare4every1) =0=
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Caroline Kennedy & Sarah Palin: a “class” difference in media treatment?
As the day NY Gov. David A. Patterson will pick Sen. Hillary Clinton’s replacement draws near, Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, the well-connected and wealthy contender for the senate post stands as the most influential. It’s Caroline Kennedy, who else?
By name recognition alone, the only surviving daughter of Pres. John F. Kennedy carries her impeccable familial history, her friendship with incoming President Barack Obama, and strong connections to those in Capitol Hill. Having lived a sheltered life with little experience in public service, these are Caroline’s major assets. That’s why before she appeared for interview on television last month, her supporters scrambled to project her as qualified. Yes, but how qualified is she in comparison with the other candidates? She has been a successful mom with a law degree from Columbia. She has taken the post of president of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, has been a member of the JFK Profile in Courage Award Committee, serves as director of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and vice-chairwoman of NYC’s Fund for Public Schools. Are these enough to get her the senate post?
The public seemed unimpressed with Caroline. She didn’t have the glow of the Kennedy the American people expected to see in her. She wasn’t compelling enough to make the public feel she could be the right senate representative for the regular New Yorkers. When interviewed, Caroline appeared less attached to the position she desired; her projected “fund of knowledge” and manner of speech (including that bothersome “you know” habit) seemed worse than what Gov. Sarah Palin was criticized for in her failed bid as a Republican VP candidate in the last election.
Bias, Double Standard & Media Malpractice
If media treatment had been fair between Caroline and Sarah, the former could have been scrutinized and made fun of more than the latter. From questions about her private life as a Kennedy to the comical exploitation of her limitations as a person the jesters in a late-night TV comedy would have wanted them laid in the open. Arrogant humor at Kennedy's expense---something equal or greater than what Sarah endured with condescending CBS anchor Katie Couric and comedienne Tina Fey who got an award for her Palin impersonations.
Perhaps because of “class” difference and hypocrisy, the mainstream media have been kind to urbane Caroline, but not so to rural Sarah. Like the precious gem from the Camelot jewel box, the New York lady incites awe and nobody talks against her perceived high carats in the political scene. Sarah is quick to notice. Americans have been anxious to see whether the Kennedy heiress will grab the senate position on basic merits or by the magic of the her name.
"I've been interested to see how Caroline Kennedy will be handled and if she will be handled with kid gloves or if she will be under such a microscope…It's going to be interesting to see how that plays out."----Gov. Sarah Palin (Source: CBS News 01/9/08, Conroy, S); YahooNews (01/09/09, Gromley, M)
With Caroline as a comparison, Sarah was right in raising the questions of media bias and exploitation which misled and undermined public trust. She recalled how she was unfairly vetted, trivialized, vilified, and insulted by the liberal media. At one point, because of her conservative views, even her motherhood was questioned. The warped media insinuated her disabled innocent Trig afflicted with Trisomy 21 (Mongolism) wasn't her son she steadfastly rescued from abortion. Her eldest daughter’s pregnancy was played out as salacious gossip item in media circuits. The liberal media dug into her privacy with rapacity unparalleled with what they did with other candidates.
Sarah Palin was correct in pointing double standard by news organizations which “respected Barack Obama's declaration that his family was off-limits for coverage”--- The courtesy wasn't accorded her, yet now generously given to Caroline. It’s hard to imagine that this disdainful journalistic disparity has happened in USA, but it’s true. Anyone can look and judge for oneself what goes on out there. (Photo Credits: byphoto240779; rhilton4u)=0=
RELATED BLOG: "Caroline Kennedy eyes Hillary Clinton’s post as NY senator" Posted by mesiamd at 12/16/2008
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Republican Party on Journey to Oblivion?
Collin Powell might have already hammered the first nail. As he endorsed Barack Obama for President, Powell complained that his party has moved too much to the right and criticized McCain for employing negative attacks as campaign tactics. Apparently, Powell is now concerned about his legacy. All indications point to McCain trying to win nasty rather than lose badly. And Powell will have none of it.
At the same time, Powell complained that the GOP's vice-presidential candidate and crown princess of the party, Sarah Palin, is totally unprepared for the Presidency, which to Powell is actually the job of the Vice President. After initially energizing the party's base, Palin has slowly turned out to be a polarizing figure to the Americans and even to her own party. Even conservative opinion makers started to attack her after sub-par performances in unscripted interviews. Kathleen Parker called Palin "out of her league" and even proposed that she drop out of the race. David Brooks called Palin "fatal cancer to Republican party." Both Parker and Brooks cast doubts on McCain's judgment over his choice of Palin as Vice-Presidential candidate. McCain answers only with "amazed" response. An Associated Press investigation released today finds out that Alaska pays for the travels of Palin's children, and Palin revised filed expense records to make these expenses official when reporters started to get nosey. Worse still, Palin charged some hotel expenses when in fact she was staying at her home. In a separate interview with CNN today, Palin continue to insist that she is even more experienced than Obama, prompting a chuckling Larry King to ask one Republican panelist, "Are you now seeing the end of the race?"
Even as he considers himself a Republican, Powell, like Clinton and Obama and other Democrat leaders, talks seriously about the need of America to regain the respect and admiration of the world. Neither McCain nor Palin tackles this theme. Instead, both talk of being non-apologetic for their actions in dealing with allies.
At least 40% of American voters still adore the McCain-Palin ticket and are thrilled at whatever the duo brings to the White House. But as issues are discussed daily at the backdrop of terrible wounding of capitalism as an economic ideology, the GOP is proving to be on the wrong side of history. The Republican candidates are trailing so badly in the congressional races that they now only talk of salvaging a few seats in both house and senate, so that at least their right to filibuster will be safeguarded.
The Republican party is obviously feeling the weight of the generally unsympathetic mainstream media. This morning, McCain was talking mad at the NBC crew because the network did not carry the recent Biden story. McCain has prohibited many reporters of the mainstream media from traveling with him in his campaign plane. From now on he will probably surround himself only with sympathetic Fox News (derided in the Web as FauxNews or Fox-machine), New York Post, Weekly Standard and Wall Street Journal---all part of Rupert Murdoch's media empire. You bet, GOP will likely also use MySpace as the official social network. Partisans will also exclusively patronize 20th Century Fox productions and boycott Michael Moore's movies. Very soon you may find National Geographic defending Palin's view on global warming so they can promote drill-drill-drill.
The blogoshere certainly would not be left behind in pushing the GOP to oblivion. Millions of blogs on US elections 2008 do not show admiration for McCain, Palin nor the Republicans. The last time the a Republican president get elected was in YouTube-free 2004. That was the time when blogs were few and bloggers were still too shy to weight in on anything that matters. Playing hard ball to win an election was the rule and candidates with few resources can only swear in silence or simply watch helplessly. FoxNews anchors would praise the wealthy Republicans to high heavens. One male anchor, I remember, had the bravery to announce that "Republicans get laid more often because they are fabulously rich."
That was an era the Republicans could now only recall with misty eyes. Now their attempts at gimmicks, stunts and propaganda over the Web get flagged down before they stick. Blogging is passion and bloggers are generally extremely unforgiving when lied to. The Web is a domain unfriendly to GOP.
Headed by a self-proclaimed computer illiterate, the GOP was quite late in jumping into the Web this election year. Obama, from the start, has built-his small donors base and has successfully used the Web for organization, human resource mobilization and fund raising. The donation button at barackobama.com has produced hundreds of millions of dollars for his campaign and the joke circulating around is that Obama has a serious money problem. Less than 2 weeks until election day, Obama has $134M in the bank and donations still pour in at the rate of $5M a day. His "problematic" campaign is running out of time spending all those money before election day.
During the Democratic primaries, Obama promised to re-shape the US electoral map. He already did. He also promised to change America and change the world. Obama uses "change"and "transform" interchangeably. However he puts it, there is little reason not to bet on his promise.
Millard Fillmore, is immortalized as the last Whig US president. Signs do not point to John McCain getting the consolation of being remembered as the last Republican president. His long-time pal, the not-anymore-his-president George W. Bush would likely get the distinction.
As an underdog, Gov. Sarah Palin scores beyond expectation
After the Joe Biden-Sarah Palin vice-presidential debate in Missouri on Friday October 2, 2008, the two parties had both claims on who won. As usual, the hardliners among the Democratic and Republican supporters had their respective clear winners heating up the presidential race towards its conclusion in November.
Millions of eager viewers were riveted on the young underdog Gov. Sarah Palin (R) and the more experienced Sen. Joe Biden (D) whose exchanges were moderated by Gwen Ifill, PBS anchorwoman. Ifill's suitability to preside in the debate was at the late hour questioned because of an allegation of conflict of interest arising from her forthcoming book on Sen. Barack Obama. (see blog entitled "Media bias &/or conflict of interest," October 2, 2008)
In my opinion, Palin performed far better than expected after being heavily criticized to a point of unfair ridicule by the media for her alleged inadequacy as a vice-presidential candidate. There were no outstanding gaffes that could embarrass any of the candidates. Both Biden and Palin performed very well. But Palin certainly won points that weren’t expected of her.
Facing Biden, a spirited debater who certainly displayed clear grasp and knowledge about politics in Washington, Palin was able to cut across her ideas with the public as an ordinary American who talked straight into the minds of the viewers. Presenting herself as a young governor of Alaska, she stood her ground on a wide range of issues which include the economy, the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and education. As a newcomer, Palin was less exhaustive (but definitely not lacking of substance) compared to Biden’s detailed exposition of facts. This is expected in a time-pressured contest which made the audience wonder if Biden was accurate in all that he said.
Palin has once again changed the dynamics of this campaign. With her down-to-earth relaxed talk which resonates in the American heartland, she clearly has given new life to Sen. John McCain’s (R) campaign which has suffered setbacks as a result the economic crisis rocking the nation. Because the biased liberal media tend to side with the Democrats, NBC News analyst Chuck Todd disparagingly says the debate doesn't matter and will be forgotten easily. I don't agree.
"The absence of train wrecks led some pundits to wonder whether the contest, probably the most anticipated vice presidential debate in history, will quickly be forgotten.
"You're not going to see this debate have much of an effect on this race. This probably won't live much beyond a 24-hour period."---NBC News analyst Chuck Todd. Yahoo.News/AP (010/3/08, Bauder,D.)
The score of the campaign will certainly show some correction in the next few days as the effects of the debate seep their way into the polls. Had the debate turned differently, Sen. Barack Obama (D) would be keeping a far bigger lead at this point of this extraordinary presidential race. (Photo Credits: Cordeman; Don Ermmert/Pool/Reuters; AP) =0=
Media bias &/or conflict of interest?
Gwen Ifill of PBS (Channel 13) has drawn sharp criticisms from concervatives for accepting the job of a moderator during the vice presidential debate of Sen. Joe Biden and Gov. Sarah Palin slated on Friday, October 2, 2008. The veteran black anchorwoman didn’t reveal ahead of time that she has a pro-Obama book entitled “'The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama” coming out in January 2008 in time for the next presidential inauguration. This raises the question of media bias, objectivity, and conflict of interest that are at the root of the weakening media credibility. In this age of political partisanship, the American public believes the selection of reliable debate moderators must be done with care.
If Obama wins the election, Ifill will have high financial stakes on the sale of her book. With no shortage of people capable to preside in the debate, Iffil, the contending political parties, and the American public will be better served if she withdraws. It will clear doubts surrounding her suitability as the moderator. =0=
Bring Back Bill Clinton?
So it seems the Democratic Party made a mistake in choosing Barack Obama as its standard bearer. While he projects an image of change it seems the US electorate is leery of his credentials and lack of experience and suspecting he might not have the answers to the current problems of the US.
Some oldtimers say that is sometimes the result a party gets by using the primaries in selecting its standard bearer. They pine for the days when the Bosses dominated the Democratic Party. Bosses, they think, tend to select candidates who are winnable and has the characteristics needed to be successful in running the country. And they usually point out to Franklin Delano Roosevelt as their most successful candidate.
So it seems the Democrats are now paying the price of not choosing Hillary Clinton who certainly is more experienced and has greater stature than Barack Obama. The other half of the Clinton duo who successfully ruled the White House, she might probably been a better match against McCain and could have foiled the choice of Palin.
Palin undoubtedly energized the McCain candidacy, enabling McCain to draw level with Obama. But with her apparent shallowness and lack of experience one will doubt the capacity for discernment of the US electorate. Did the issues change because McCain chose a lightweight running mate? Or the elections all a matter of perception without reference to the "issues"? Will bringing in Palin make McCain a better problem-solver if he gets elected as president? And yet she gave the McCain campaign a boost. Incredible!
Many are not even sure if McCain has the right answers to the current problems of the US. What is sure is that the current woes of the US happened under a Republican watch led by a less-than-capable president who threw away his predecessors legacy. I do not know if this has been Osama bin Laden's goal all the time but it's sure he succeeded in throwing the US out of whack.
Bring back Bill Clinton! Nobody doubts he is a first-rate problem-solver and consensus-builder. If only the Republican party can show statesmanship of the highest order and show remorse for the miseries they have brought their country.
Third World citizens don't assume they have the answers to the problems of the US. But one thing is sure. The US always thinks it has the solutions to Third World woes and the US will never by shy in pushing for these "solutions." And recent history normally bears that out.
The craziness in the US presidential campaign
Truly, there is craziness going on in the US presidential race that baffles the mind. Forty-seven days (47) days before the election, the presidential race is still a tie. A contest which is expected to be handily won by the Democrats who punch on the current administration has become a fierce battle giving the Republicans a good chance to win. Let me offer clues as to why Americans appear to have “short memories” like the Filipinos. I will let you decide.1. The frustration of the Americans over politics crosses beyond party lines. Both the Republicans and Democrats have made errors in their decisions. They have blame to share The undecided voters can’t easily align in any of them. Many criticize Pres. George Bush, but the public also complains against the “do-nothing” Congress (dominated by Democrats) whose public approval rating is less than half of poor satisfaction rating of Pres. George W. Bush hyped by the media.
2. There are Democrats who believe they committed a strategic mistake in choosing Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton. With a strong political base, Hillary, much more experienced than Obama is thought to be a better and wiser choice. The inexperienced, but articulate Obama has little to offer other than the promises voters have heard since the start. Rejecting Hillary who has good counsel from Pres. Bill Clinton, Obama raises questions on his capacity to decide at “3 o’clock AM” once he becomes president. If Obama chose Hillary as his running mate, his chance of winning is better. Hillary carries a wide gender vote which can counter-balance the popularity of Sarah Palin.
3. The issues at stake in the presidential election are many. Topping the list are the economy, healthcare, social security, taxation, education, illegal immigration, religion, abortion, gay marriage, stem cell research, war against terrorism, homeland security. These issues confuse a lot of voters. There are those who decide on a candidate based on one or two of these (not all.) A large number rely on their gut feeling in choosing their candidate.
4. The public is aware of biased information spread around by the media. Newspapers, TV, cable, radio, internet and other media are dominated by left-leaning, secular, anti-Bush, anti-Republican and anti-American personalities. Fighting against conservatism, these partisan liberals are more interested to advance their beliefs rather than be fair and balanced.
5. The liberals and secular progressive have substantial support from movie stars, comedians and teachers in the academe. It is mainly from them that the world forms its perceptions about America. Harboring anti-American sentiments, the outside world can easily get the mindset of those in the New York Times, Washington Post, MSNBC, CNN, and CBS just as the Arab world gets the mindset of Al Jazeera. Manipulation of information to suite an agenda is evident.
6. The conservatives and religious right who generally identify with the Republicans pose a “traditional” way of looking at things that many Americans can’t easily brush aside. Liberal Democrats have a hard time convincing a large portion of America to embrace socialism (vs. capitalism,) abortion, gay marriage, illegal migration, a welfare state, and cynicism against religion.
7. The longer Obama and McCain stay on the campaign trail, the stronger the public doubts Obama. This has been suggested by the polls which show a neck-and-neck competition up to this point. If Americans believe Obama is truly fit to be president, by this time, he could have a huge headway over McCain. With a wide support from the media, he should win hands down. Yet, it hasn’tt happened. Obama can have the financial crisis on his side, but he has to convince the public that he can solve it. The doubt on his leadership remains an obstacle he must overcome.
8. Personal attacks between candidates have been hurled on both sides. But the irrationality, intensity, and number of venomous blows by Democrats against Sarah Palin make her more popular. This worries a lot of Democrats. Earlier in the campaign they are very confident winning over the Republicans, not until Palin enters the race. According to a recent poll, the negative advertisement of the Obama campaign is far more than in the McCain’s.
9. A clearer understanding of platforms is emerging. Obama’s plan looks very good at first glance, but as Americans get closer, a different picture emerges. The public isn’t quite ready to elect a government that is too liberal without a counterbalance from moderates and conservatives. ( See the comparison of Obama-McCain platforms I posted earlier in the blog)
10. Americans compare reality with what both parties tell them. There are exaggerations that do not escape the attention of the electorate. Some issues ascribed against a candidate may not necessarily his own doing. He can only be guilty by association, but not of fact. While USA admits to heavy problems to tackle, it isn’t as bad as Zimbabwe or Somalia as some politicians make them look. The race divide, poverty, conflict between social classes, joblessness, pessimism, and despair in America aren’t that dire. Yes, the problems are bad, but that’s so easy to understand if one comes from a Third World country. =0=
UP Ibalon Talks on the US Presidential Elections 2008
From Totie:
Andy, heated up na ang pres. election sa 'merika. Your blog brings an opinion that surely will interest readers. Dinagdagan ko to strike a balance. Though bako kitang parareho mag-isip, your opinion airs one side of the coin that must go well with contrarian readers. "Agreeing to disagree," is the way of the web. It's up for us to be where we'll find ourselves in the market place of ideas----something we do all the time to survive the complex world!
From Andy:
Totie,
I posted that story on Palin before the Associated Press picked it up:
http://news. yahoo.com/ s/ap/20080904/ ap_on_el_ pr/cvn_palin_ iraq_war_ 7
Palin just struck my sensibility. Imagine justifying a destructive war as an act of God. This was the very frequent justification in the olden days for holder of powers to invade countries and kingdoms at the time when the Church still had its ways. When the king of France and the Pope did not like to pay its huge debts to the Knights Templar, they massacred them and called it an act of God. There are lots of examples in uncensored sources. Imagine what a President Palin can do to China, Japan, and India to whom the US is now indebted trillions of $s.
Her absolute opposition to abortion even in cases of rape, incest and danger to the mother's life is unacceptable from the medical standpoint, and even moral or humanitarian. A doctor can get into trouble by using his judgment in taking out an in utero fetal death or discontinuing a pregnancy in a mother in danger of heart atack or thyroid storm.
Her stand favoring creationism over Darwin's theory of evolution is a hold-out position, much like the Ku Klux clan, and has no part in present world. Of course, you know that creationists are actively campaigning there to get the doctrine of creation taught in US public schools. Imagine children being taught again that the world was created in 4035 B.C. because that is how the archbishops calculated it.(Read on Archbishop Usher).
Her hardline stance against pre-marital sex is haunting her now.
I respect all beliefs. Let Palin be a governor or senator. Let her live out her beliefs with fellow congregants. But do not put her a breath away from the most powerful office in the world.
Now, it is becoming clear that Palin's base is the evangilical base and McCain is helpless against this group.After Palin's sickening speech last night, I donated at barrackobama. com to show support. In all likelihood, the donation will be returned because the webmasters will soon find out that I am not a US citizen. Quite unfair because a bad or good US president also affects us here. Yes, Pailn can move people into action but in a way different from her intentions.
There are universal dreams and values. Obama gets it. McCain and certainly Palin do not.
Totie, I hope I have given you some glimpse how we view the US election from here. Do not worry about your tax figures for now. They will certainly change because US citizens have so much power over their govenment.
From Mighty:Right on, Andy.
I hope the GOP, the party of "interventionists" loses. Pakikiaram lang sa mundo an dadarahon ninda like Bush jr. Kasuarin man nagdara ki peace, development o understanding an intervention ninda sa Iraq?
Only if one understands the ways of imperialism can one understand why one conflict far from their boundaries is part of their "national security" or "national interest." But using religion? Nahiling ko sa Net an pics and stories of German priests blessing the army of Hitler.
And what alarmism! I have come to read a recent thread calling Putin "the scourge of God". And the recent Russian deployment of arms as "the biggest since Khruschev". Huh?
I was surprised at Amb. Kenney's presence in the supposed MOA-AD signing in Kuala Lumpur. Kasuarin man naging part an US sa peace process sa South? I will not be surprised kun an US an nag-torpedo kan peace process thru the ilks of Ermita and Esperon. The US will never tolerate militant Muslim enclaves that can possibly harbor Muslim "terrorists" . Feeling part of their "national security", e.
I just hope the US citizenry can rein in their leaders and teach them the internationally- accepted concept of "non-intervention" and that war cannot be part of a country's national policy like what the UN charter says.
From Totie:
Andy and all my beloved Ibalons:
Napagayon na kita igua nin sharing sa satuyang mga ideyas. It takes me a lot of while to think like the warring anchors of TV---that's to be comfortable with the point of view of others without being emotionally affected by them. With effort, I hope I am going there. I like to believe I am open to ideas. hahahah!
I think it's important that we're dispassionate in approaching the world's vexing issues because there's no soft solution that will solve all of them. We have been transformed into a multicultural world with a very plural way of looking at things, based on our respective experiences. Because of this we must listen to many point of views. However, most of us have no luxury have these.
All the points Andy raised are valid. I appreciate them though it's in the details that most disconcordance in point of views differ. We quickly realize that the issues of the US election are so many. So if one feels so passionate about religion for example, that will be enough to make him decide on who to vote. Majority of voters don't have time to ponder---serious issues give us a lot of headache! But thanks to the "news in real time" which forces everyone to start looking more closely.
Take the case of the Iraq war, Americans are just like us Filipinos. When 911 was fresh, there was almost complete unanimity of going into war. Americans did not trust the UN which after 16 resolutions against Saddam can't do anything---and as a nation, majority voted for war. But when the going went rough, the supporters abandoned the cause they supported. Isn't this not a familiar reaction of balimbings?
It's a natural reaction that people don't want losers. And they forget the threat of terrorism in America is real and unabating--- -we don't have gates and walls on buildings before....or the long lines in airports.... many Americans have become complacent (less than 4,000 lang naman ang namatay sa 911 ha?) Just because we're successful now, the horror won't happen again (all experts agree it is just a matter of time though some quarters in society think this is alarmist, ignoring the hate enemies of America is spewing...)
The staunch supporters of Bush blamed him on a decision that was based on erroneous intelligence (forgetting that Britain and the rest of Europe based their intelligence on the same errors.) Definitely Bush committed mistakes (kaya ngani dae siya very visible sa election.)
The media acted to blame Bush who was steadfast in protecting the homeland. The cost of war is enormous not only on lives of soldiers. The people were concerned and they wanted to withdraw---- but we know, this is easily said than done. Bush tried to solve this is by the surge of troops which is now working under Gen. Petraeas. The media, bent to prove they're correct in their pessimism, became silent. The silence is deafening in contrast to the exaggerated criticisms they made earlier that shaped many of people's opinion----includin g those of people outside America. Kaya hil'nga dikit na ang nagbabasa sa New York Times ngonian kasi alam ng tao nakakasobra ang mga liberals and secular progessives.
It's easy to understand America as an imperialist devil. But this comes as an expected consequence of a world power that gropes (just like us,) on policies, directions, and past mistakes that have piled through the years. This is the consequence of the American experience! In many occasions, it is proven, America isn't perfect but she is the envy of the world. With very high world expectation, there are errors in her wings---but USA has to move on. It has to make sense of its bipolar position that angers the world and leave critics well-fully armed. But come to think of it, in America's struggles, which nation in the world has that "moral ground" to lead? None. But, I think America comes the closest, unless one prefers China, Russia, the Philippines or the Al Qaeda.
In the meantime, expectations remains unmet, people want change. But they know this can't happen overnight. This is why, in spite of Obama's beautiful promises, he remains neck-and-neck with McCain who knows from experience the workings of the world better. This is unexpected and it rattles the Democrats. Obama is supported by the liberal left, the socialists, secular progressive and those who want to tear the fabric on which American society is based. They hate religion, wants a welfare government which gives away services, but where will the money come from? Of course from our taxes which averages to about 1/3 of a regular American's income.
Yes! We have well placed communists in the government too. McCain has started to unravel his personality to the voters----letting them know that between Obama and him, his patriotic motive is clear---In his age of generativity (Maslow's law of individual needs.) McCain is rich, a patriot and an influential man while Obama is an upstart. There is little in McCain's resume that he needs and Americans are thinking... The Democrats fight the traditional capitalist entrepreneurship of America (represented by the Republicans, a party associated with the rich) which has brought us Hollywood and the internet that we enjoy, but at the same time bring evil that we abhor. What the Dems say of a divided, poor, directionless, bankrupt, racial, etc America is a bit exaggerated. I don't feel it that way in spite of my disability and the catastrophic illness I'm facing. Obama plans a universal healthcare, but he gonna tax the people more on that. Where will they get the money? It's a plan even the Clintons failed in their two years of power.
Comes with the Iraq issue are concerns---economy, healthcare, illegal immigration, homeland security, SSS that voters are grappling with. So it's no wonder why they are divided as much as the world. The Democrats are generally supported by the world outside because they offer avenues for change to "redistribute" wealth in the world. It's a Chrisitan imperative that many Filipinos hear. The Republicans are supported by the traditional Americans who felt they deserve what they worked for.
At the root of the American's psyche however, what prevails is still a concern for the world (do you think we can expect this of other peoples in the world if they have become so rich like the Americans?) In spite of hardships in the homeland, they work the hardest and juggle their jobs with their family responsibilities. ..many of them are still generous, rooted in their Judeo-Christian tranditions. This is a reality that even immigrants come to know when they support families back home----in spite of the bad rap of a bad economy...Americans continue to give.
Halaba na ini. Magayon na pag-olayan, pero let's stop here for a while. My gut feeling, Obama won't easily win the presidency as the Democrats thought earlier. Baka da'ogon siya. It would have been easier to defeat McCain if Hillary was the candidate. I think majority of Filipinos , immigrants, and new-comers in America want the Democratic party which offer them an easy way to get a good slice of the American pie (i.e. libre ang pension can mga dae nagtrabahong imigrante which no sane nation can afford!) That's understandable.
But for me, I'm contended with the opportunities USA has given me. I have seen how Americans work and the price they pay for their "success." I don't mind not being "too equal" with them who came earlier---full equality is something I would reserve for our children who started here. But I fight just like any American when I know my rights are trampled (I have a few lawyers to work for me based on their expertise of a problem.)
So Ibalonians, keep the ideas coming. My point of view is from someone who has lived here for a while. The world can be seen in different prisms, and we must not be afraid to disagree. Even our family who loves each member, has lots of disagreements. To talk about it is definitely a healthy thing to do. As a last thought, I think the weaknes of society has something to do with lack of communication and the lack of courage to face reality as it is. I love you all.
From Andy:
Totie,
Actually, I do small things I can online to help the Obama campaign. Mainly I submit blogs, comment on forums and flag down YouTube videos that are obvious propaganda from the McCain-Palin camp. This God-forsaken country of ours is in my mind as I do them.
I do not think Obama supporters want to tear down the fabric of American society. You cannot tag Google, Microsoft, JPMorgan Chase, to name a few, as liberal left, secular progressive nor socialist who like to harm America. Neither are Harvard University, University of California, again to name a few. These institutions just know that mainland America will be safer and its prosperity and its world leadership secured if the American government starts seriously respecting the rest of the world, a view Obama espouses. Even Bill Clinton said "the world respects the power of our example rather than the example of our power." This is opposed to the "good ol' boy" "go f__k the world" "to hell with the world" stance of the Republicans.
Recently, the mainstream US media has started singing pro-Obama tunes, but only according to the ultra-right, Bush-McCain loving Fox News. Fox anchors now complain of the "death of journalism in America" just because ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, Time, etc., inquired too deeply on the personal circumstances of Palin.
Death of jourmalism? Look who's talking. I do not know how you see Fox News but it reminds me of Marcos's infamous Channel 2 and Radyo ng Bayan just before EDSA I. The maintream US media also has high stakes in this election because if McCain wins, the whole US news channel might be under the thumb of Australian billionaire Rupert Murdoch. Murdoch owns News Corp that owns Fox Network, 20th Century Fox, 135 newspapers and 35 TV channels in the US.The influence of his media empire is worlwide. He is a big supporter of Bush and MacCain, warmonger, supporter of dictatorial regimes,oil imperialist, enabler of human rights violators, New York City political boss... Totie, I think you can add the rest. He also owns MySpace, but this is useless as a political tool because its membership is so international.
We are no fan of ABC (Desperate Housewives) and NBC (Jay Leno's insults to Filipinos). I would even like to see Murdoch take them off the air. But believe me these networks are more lovable than Fox News.
In Berlin, Obama announced that he will have none of the persesution of the dissidents in Burma, the voters in Zimbabwe--- and "never again in Darfur." Gloria Arroyo is not yet in his black list, but when GMA went to US last June, Obama refused to meet her. (Sec Dureza said Obama just called GMA by phone). Definitely, McCain did meet her personally. So if we like Gloria to behave and prevent her from attempting to perpetuate herself in power, we have better chances if Obama were the US president.
And this: McCain's age is no issue but his 4 bouts with melanoma, first diagmosed as Stage IIA in 2000, should be. The Obama camp is just too decent to hammer hard on this. The chance that Palin shall be the most powerful person in the world is so high. In addition, to what I already mentioned, Palin also does not believe that there is such a thing as global warming, a dangerous view for a potential world leader.
Stakes are indeed so high for all people in this particular US election.
Gov. Palin whips Sen. Obama, praises Sen. McCain’s service record
“I came to office promising major ethics reform, to end the culture of self-dealing. And today, that ethics reform is the law. While I was at it, I got rid of a few things in the governor's office that I didn't believe our citizens should have to pay for. That luxury jet was over the top. I put it on eBay," ----Sen. Sarah Palin (09/03/08, GOP Convention)Gov. Sarah Palin just finished her acceptance speech on September 3, 2004. Her message was incisive, meaty, and well-delivered, prompting political observers to divine what it would bring to the contest between the Republicans and Democrats.
Palin, amidst an adoring Republicans in Minnesota, explained her readiness for vice-presidency, established her credentials, and eloquently made comparisons between the Democrats and the Republican. With toughness, confidence, and a smile that probably rattled the Democrats, she built a case against Sen. Barack Obama, highlighting differences in Sen. John McCain’s decades-long service to country and Obama's inexperience.
Talking about a small-town story from Alaska and her experiences as governor, Palin performed beyond the expectations of her detractors. Though unfavorable reviews trickled early from her political adversaries, her speech was generally well-received bringing a new dimension to the campaign that will be decided on November 4, 2008. It would be a while to see whether she won sizeable undecided voters to the side of the Republicans. Photo Credits: Getty Images/Mario Tama; Getty Images Paul, R, Jr; AFP=0=
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Media bias and shades of "personalan" in the US presidential election
Two months away from the US presidential election, the campaign is rising in fever pitch Democrats and Republicans woo voters to their respective platforms. More people, other than the Americans are drawn into the suspense of what may come out in the polls. In an increasingly global world, this election is significant in many ways.For a long while after the 26th amendment of the constitution in 1971 which expanded the voting to younger Americans (18 to 21 years age,) ---a group with low turn-outs in the polls, more young Americans seem interested to participate. First time in US electoral history an Afro-American-senator runs for presidency and GOP elevates a young housewife-governor as its vice-presidential candidate.
Voter Turnout in Presidential Elections, 1960-2004
Year-------------------% of Voting-Age Population
1960-----------------------------62.8
1964-----------------------------61.4
1968-----------------------------60.7
1972-----------------------------55.1
1976-----------------------------53.6
1980-----------------------------52.8
1984-----------------------------53.3
1988-----------------------------50.3
1992-----------------------------55.2
1996-----------------------------49.0
2000-----------------------------50.3
2004-----------------------------55.5
Source: Statistical Abstract of United States/ Choosing the President 2008: A Citizen’s Guide to the Electoral Process (League of Women Voters, Globe Pequot Press, 2008, p. 11)
The changes in mass media have brought the political exchange in real time with the internet lording over the decline of newspapers, especially among young voters. The airwaves and TV are filled with undigested news, propagandistic opinions, and partisan exchanges scrutinizing the candidates’ qualifications to a point that irrelevant issues seep into mainstream discussions. Traditionally fair and balance, the liberal media has turned into a partisan arena with interest groups at play. Under the cloak of “decency” bitter controversies, mudslinging, and innuendoes are emerging in the media, just like in Philippine politics. These frustrate fair dissemination of information, more to the disadvantage of the voters.
Bias & Hypocrisy Condemned, Fairness Urged
Gov. Sarah Palin takes center stage tonight (September 3, 2008,) to accept her vice-presidential Republican nomination. It is her defining moment to introduce herself---make Americans know what she represents so voters can decide if she is worthy of the vice presidency. But frenzied sniping by the media on her young daughter’s pregnancy tries to carve a negative impression on the conservative governor. Hotly circulating in the internet, TV, talk shows, and newspapers, the manipulation of her child's predicament makes the public wonder if this election has to degenerate into personal attacks rather than a focused debate over important issues. On his own admission, charismatic Sen. Barack Obama passionately subscribes to the Christian tenet of “doing for the least of his brethren” making the Democratic presidential candidate look holier than his political rivals. But the public knows Obama almost doesn’t help his impoverished blood brother George in Kenya who speaks coldly of him in a CNN interview. The media, nosey over Palin’s personal life choose to be silent about it. Long angered by Pres. George W. Bush and the Republican administration, many media elements favor campaign coverage of Sen. Obama than for Sen. John McCain whose patriotic public record and experience since his 5-year incarceration as POW in Vietnam is unrivalled.
Bias, hypocrisy, propaganda, and questions of fairness hover in the minds of the public. Americans therefore have to be vigilant and discerning. They have still two months to decide. The stakes of the election aren’t anchored on personal issues of the candidates. The economy, homeland security, healthcare, immigration, taxation, global warming, energy sufficiency, social security, education, religious rights, abortion, stem cell, gay marriage, and foreign policy stand as major considerations that voters must focus on. Impacting the future of America and the world, these issues must be above ulterior motives and must be rendered separate from the agenda of individuals, interest groups, partisan politics, and those of the media. =0=
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Sarah Palin: Iraq War is God's Will
Slowly, we are getting to know the mysterious woman who was suddenly thrust to the limelight, a heartbeat away from the US Presidency. If McCain becomes the US President, pray that he lives out his full term because President Palin is out to bring back the world to the years of the Crusades.
Here is the transcript:
"Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right. Also, for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending [U.S. soldiers] out on a task that is from God...That's what we have to make sure that we're praying for, that there is a plan and that that plan is God's plan."
In the same occasion, she also asked her audience to pray for an energy related matter---a $30 Billion gas pipeline project that she supports:
"I think God's will has to be done in unifying people and companies to get that gas line built, so pray for that."
You find the full video at Huffington Post. The video was originally posted at the web site of Palin's church, the Wasilla Assembly of God. But it is offline now, probably for some sanitizing. Too bad if you like to get an idea on how the church shapes the world view of its congregants.
Try your luck later. Here is the link: www.wasillaag.net
If you are still wondering why McCain has to overstretch his credibility to please his conservative base by choosing Sarah Palin as his running mate, you have not seen the best yet. Just who is running McCain now? The pixels are starting to shape up and we will see the whole picture in the days to come.FOLLOW UP COMMENTS:
From Totie:
Andy, heated up na ang pres. election sa 'merika. Your blog brings an opinion that surely will interest readers. Dinagdagan ko to strike a balance. Though bako kitang parareho mag-isip, your opinion airs one side of the coin that must go well with contrarian readers. "Agreeing to disagree," is the way of the web. It's up for us to be where we'll find ourselves in the market place of ideas----something we do all the time to survive the complex world!
From Andy:
Totie,
I posted that story on Palin before the Associated Press picked it up:
http://news. yahoo.com/ s/ap/20080904/ ap_on_el_ pr/cvn_palin_ iraq_war_ 7
Palin just struck my sensibility. Imagine justifying a destructive war as an act of God. This was the very frequent justification in the olden days for holder of powers to invade countries and kingdoms at the time when the Church still had its ways. When the king of France and the Pope did not like to pay its huge debts to the Knights Templar, they massacred them and called it an act of God. There are lots of examples in uncensored sources. Imagine what a President Palin can do to China, Japan, and India to whom the US is now indebted trillions of $s.
Her absolute opposition to abortion even in cases of rape, incest and danger to the mother's life is unacceptable from the medical standpoint, and even moral or humanitarian. A doctor can get into trouble by using his judgment in taking out an in utero fetal death or discontinuing a pregnancy in a mother in danger of heart atack or thyroid storm.
Her stand favoring creationism over Darwin's theory of evolution is a hold-out position, much like the Ku Klux clan, and has no part in present world. Of course, you know that creationists are actively campaigning there to get the doctrine of creation taught in US public schools. Imagine children being taught again that the world was created in 4035 B.C. because that is how the archbishops calculated it.(Read on Archbishop Usher).
Her hardline stance against pre-marital sex is haunting her now.
I respect all beliefs. Let Palin be a governor or senator. Let her live out her beliefs with fellow congregants. But do not put her a breath away from the most powerful office in the world.
Now, it is becoming clear that Palin's base is the evangilical base and McCain is helpless against this group.After Palin's sickening speech last night, I donated at barrackobama. com to show support. In all likelihood, the donation will be returned because the webmasters will soon find out that I am not a US citizen. Quite unfair because a bad or good US president also affects us here. Yes, Pailn can move people into action but in a way different from her intentions.
There are universal dreams and values. Obama gets it. McCain and certainly Palin do not.
Totie, I hope I have given you some glimpse how we view the US election from here. Do not worry about your tax figures for now. They will certainly change because US citizens have so much power over their govenment.
From Mighty:
Right on, Andy.
I hope the GOP, the party of "interventionists" loses. Pakikiaram lang sa mundo an dadarahon ninda like Bush jr. Kasuarin man nagdara ki peace, development o understanding an intervention ninda sa Iraq?
Only if one understands the ways of imperialism can one understand why one conflict far from their boundaries is part of their "national security" or "national interest." But using religion? Nahiling ko sa Net an pics and stories of German priests blessing the army of Hitler.
And what alarmism! I have come to read a recent thread calling Putin "the scourge of God". And the recent Russian deployment of arms as "the biggest since Khruschev". Huh?
I was surprised at Amb. Kenney's presence in the supposed MOA-AD signing in Kuala Lumpur. Kasuarin man naging part an US sa peace process sa South? I will not be surprised kun an US an nag-torpedo kan peace process thru the ilks of Ermita and Esperon. The US will never tolerate militant Muslim enclaves that can possibly harbor Muslim "terrorists" . Feeling part of their "national security", e.
I just hope the US citizenry can rein in their leaders and teach them the internationally- accepted concept of "non-intervention" and that war cannot be part of a country's national policy like what the UN charter says.
From Totie:
Andy and all my beloved Ibalons:
Napagayon na kita igua nin sharing sa satuyang mga ideyas. It takes me a lot of while to think like the warring anchors of TV---that's to be comfortable with the point of view of others without being emotionally affected by them. With effort, I hope I am going there. I like to believe I am open to ideas. hahahah!
I think it's important that we're dispassionate in approaching the world's vexing issues because there's no soft solution that will solve all of them. We have been transformed into a multicultural world with a very plural way of looking at things, based on our respective experiences. Because of this we must listen to many point of views. However, most of us have no luxury have these.
All the points Andy raised are valid. I appreciate them though it's in the details that most disconcordance in point of views differ. We quickly realize that the issues of the US election are so many. So if one feels so passionate about religion for example, that will be enough to make him decide on who to vote. Majority of voters don't have time to ponder---serious issues give us a lot of headache! But thanks to the "news in real time" which forces everyone to start looking more closely.
Take the case of the Iraq war, Americans are just like us Filipinos. When 911 was fresh, there was almost complete unanimity of going into war. Americans did not trust the UN which after 16 resolutions against Saddam can't do anything---and as a nation, majority voted for war. But when the going went rough, the supporters abandoned the cause they supported. Isn't this not a familiar reaction of balimbings?
It's a natural reaction that people don't want losers. And they forget the threat of terrorism in America is real and unabating--- -we don't have gates and walls on buildings before....or the long lines in airports.... many Americans have become complacent (less than 4,000 lang naman ang namatay sa 911 ha?) Just because we're successful now, the horror won't happen again (all experts agree it is just a matter of time though some quarters in society think this is alarmist, ignoring the hate enemies of America is spewing...)
The staunch supporters of Bush blamed him on a decision that was based on erroneous intelligence (forgetting that Britain and the rest of Europe based their intelligence on the same errors.) Definitely Bush committed mistakes (kaya ngani dae siya very visible sa election.)
The media acted to blame Bush who was steadfast in protecting the homeland. The cost of war is enormous not only on lives of soldiers. The people were concerned and they wanted to withdraw---- but we know, this is easily said than done. Bush tried to solve this is by the surge of troops which is now working under Gen. Petraeas. The media, bent to prove they're correct in their pessimism, became silent. The silence is deafening in contrast to the exaggerated criticisms they made earlier that shaped many of people's opinion----includin g those of people outside America. Kaya hil'nga dikit na ang nagbabasa sa New York Times ngonian kasi alam ng tao nakakasobra ang mga liberals and secular progessives.
It's easy to understand America as an imperialist devil. But this comes as an expected consequence of a world power that gropes (just like us,) on policies, directions, and past mistakes that have piled through the years. This is the consequence of the American experience! In many occasions, it is proven, America isn't perfect but she is the envy of the world. With very high world expectation, there are errors in her wings---but USA has to move on. It has to make sense of its bipolar position that angers the world and leave critics well-fully armed. But come to think of it, in America's struggles, which nation in the world has that "moral ground" to lead? None. But, I think America comes the closest, unless one prefers China, Russia, the Philippines or the Al Qaeda.
In the meantime, expectations remains unmet, people want change. But they know this can't happen overnight. This is why, in spite of Obama's beautiful promises, he remains neck-and-neck with McCain who knows from experience the workings of the world better. This is unexpected and it rattles the Democrats. Obama is supported by the liberal left, the socialists, secular progressive and those who want to tear the fabric on which American society is based. They hate religion, wants a welfare government which gives away services, but where will the money come from? Of course from our taxes which averages to about 1/3 of a regular American's income.
Yes! We have well placed communists in the government too. McCain has started to unravel his personality to the voters----letting them know that between Obama and him, his patriotic motive is clear---In his age of generativity (Maslow's law of individual needs.) McCain is rich, a patriot and an influential man while Obama is an upstart. There is little in McCain's resume that he needs and Americans are thinking... The Democrats fight the traditional capitalist entrepreneurship of America (represented by the Republicans, a party associated with the rich) which has brought us Hollywood and the internet that we enjoy, but at the same time bring evil that we abhor. What the Dems say of a divided, poor, directionless, bankrupt, racial, etc America is a bit exaggerated. I don't feel it that way in spite of my disability and the catastrophic illness I'm facing. Obama plans a universal healthcare, but he gonna tax the people more on that. Where will they get the money? It's a plan even the Clintons failed in their two years of power.
Comes with the Iraq issue are concerns---economy, healthcare, illegal immigration, homeland security, SSS that voters are grappling with. So it's no wonder why they are divided as much as the world. The Democrats are generally supported by the world outside because they offer avenues for change to "redistribute" wealth in the world. It's a Chrisitan imperative that many Filipinos hear. The Republicans are supported by the traditional Americans who felt they deserve what they worked for.
At the root of the American's psyche however, what prevails is still a concern for the world (do you think we can expect this of other peoples in the world if they have become so rich like the Americans?) In spite of hardships in the homeland, they work the hardest and juggle their jobs with their family responsibilities. ..many of them are still generous, rooted in their Judeo-Christian tranditions. This is a reality that even immigrants come to know when they support families back home----in spite of the bad rap of a bad economy...Americans continue to give.
Halaba na ini. Magayon na pag-olayan, pero let's stop here for a while. My gut feeling, Obama won't easily win the presidency as the Democrats thought earlier. Baka da'ogon siya. It would have been easier to defeat McCain if Hillary was the candidate. I think majority of Filipinos , immigrants, and new-comers in America want the Democratic party which offer them an easy way to get a good slice of the American pie (i.e. libre ang pension can mga dae nagtrabahong imigrante which no sane nation can afford!) That's understandable.
But for me, I'm contended with the opportunities USA has given me. I have seen how Americans work and the price they pay for their "success." I don't mind not being "too equal" with them who came earlier---full equality is something I would reserve for our children who started here. But I fight just like any American when I know my rights are trampled (I have a few lawyers to work for me based on their expertise of a problem.)
So Ibalonians, keep the ideas coming. My point of view is from someone who has lived here for a while. The world can be seen in different prisms, and we must not be afraid to disagree. Even our family who loves each member, has lots of disagreements. To talk about it is definitely a healthy thing to do. As a last thought, I think the weaknes of society has something to do with lack of communication and the lack of courage to face reality as it is. I love you all.
Totie,
Actually, I do small things I can online to help the Obama campaign. Mainly I submit blogs, comment on forums and flag down YouTube videos that are obvious propaganda from the McCain-Palin camp. This God-forsaken country of ours is in my mind as I do them.
I do not think Obama supporters want to tear down the fabric of American society. You cannot tag Google, Microsoft, JPMorgan Chase, to name a few, as liberal left, secular progressive nor socialist who like to harm America. Neither are Harvard University, University of California, again to name a few. These institutions just know that mainland America will be safer and its prosperity and its world leadership secured if the American government starts seriously respecting the rest of the world, a view Obama espouses. Even Bill Clinton said "the world respects the power of our example rather than the example of our power." This is opposed to the "good ol' boy" "go f__k the world" "to hell with the world" stance of the Republicans.
Recently, the mainstream US media has started singing pro-Obama tunes, but only according to the ultra-right, Bush-McCain loving Fox News. Fox anchors now complain of the "death of journalism in America" just because ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, Time, etc., inquired too deeply on the personal circumstances of Palin.
Death of jourmalism? Look who's talking. I do not know how you see Fox News but it reminds me of Marcos's infamous Channel 2 and Radyo ng Bayan just before EDSA I. The maintream US media also has high stakes in this election because if McCain wins, the whole US news channel might be under the thumb of Australian billionaire Rupert Murdoch. Murdoch owns News Corp that owns Fox Network, 20th Century Fox, 135 newspapers and 35 TV channels in the US.The influence of his media empire is worlwide. He is a big supporter of Bush and MacCain, warmonger, supporter of dictatorial regimes,oil imperialist, enabler of human rights violators, New York City political boss... Totie, I think you can add the rest. He also owns MySpace, but this is useless as a political tool because its membership is so international.
We are no fan of ABC (Desperate Housewives) and NBC (Jay Leno's insults to Filipinos). I would even like to see Murdoch take them off the air. But believe me these networks are more lovable than Fox News.
In Berlin, Obama announced that he will have none of the persesution of the dissidents in Burma, the voters in Zimbabwe--- and "never again in Darfur." Gloria Arroyo is not yet in his black list, but when GMA went to US last June, Obama refused to meet her. (Sec Dureza said Obama just called GMA by phone). Definitely, McCain did meet her personally. So if we like Gloria to behave and prevent her from attempting to perpetuate herself in power, we have better chances if Obama were the US president.
And this: McCain's age is no issue but his 4 bouts with melanoma, fist diagmosed as Stage IIA in 2000, should be. The Obama camp is just too decent to hammer hard on this. The chance that Palin shall be the most powerful person in the world is so high. In addition, to what I already mentioned, Palin also does not believe that there is such a thing as global warming, a dangerous view for a potential world leader.
Stakes are indeed so high for all people in this particular US election.
Sen. Barack Obama gets a match in Gov. Sarah Palin
Soon after the Sen. John McCain announced his vice presidential running mate in the coming US elections, Americans turned their focus to a dark horse from Alaska, a 44 year old woman of understated fame who was brave enough to bring her fifth pregnancy to term which she knew had Down’s Syndrome (aka Mongolism, Trisomy 21 .) With a laudable reputation of cutting down corruption in her jurisdiction, Palin appeared to be a remarkable counterbalance to McCain's moderate stance, a complement to his wide experience and advance age. A mother of 5 children who enjoys fishing and hunting with her husband and eats mooseburger, Palin is a fighter against interest groups. Her conservative opposition to abortion and gay marriage is diametrically against Sen. Barack Obama’s liberal proclivities. She favors gun rights, capital punishment, sexual abstinence, and oil drilling in the Alaska National Wildlife Reserve (ANWR.)
Criticized for her inexperience and being young like Obama, Palin has a longer hands-on experience in politics than Obama, having started as a two-term Wasilla mayor commencing in 1992 and then later as the youngest governor of Alaska in 2006 who defeated incumbent Republican Frank Murkowski in the primary and former Democrat governor Tom Knowles in the general election
Being governor, Palin has more latitude in decision-making which affects the day-to-day lives of her constituents compared to Obama, a Harvard-educated senator from Illinois elected on 2004 who often handles more focused duties in legislative committee away from his constituents. Strong in vision and promises, Obama, a staunch critic of Pres. George Bush’s Iraq policy and a proponent of universal healthcare is relatively a blank slate that perturbs the undecided voters.Obama’s godly persona and redemptive “message of change” for America which attract young voters and many liberal Hollywood stars match the beauty and intelligence of Palin, a former Miss Alaska finalist and basketball guard with a plebeian family background. While the Obama breaks the glass ceiling of being the first Afro-American candidate, she carries the distinction of being the first woman ever nominated as veep in the GOP ticket.
As November 4 winds up, the undecided segment of voting public is on watch for the factor that will make them choose. With multiplicity of issues to consider, they have a lot to learn about the candidates. Campaigners from both sides of the political aisle scramble for the pros and cons of candidates to sway for votes.
It remains to be seen whether Palin, a “non-denominational” Christian of Pentecostal background will continue to chip away the loyal supporters left by Democrat Hillary Clinton away from Obama and his veep running mate John Biden to the side of the Republicans, Vetted by hard-hitting Democrats who snipe on Palin’s 17-year old pregnant daughter, the Republicans put their bets on Palin---hoping that no major surprise would come up to tarnish her name. =0=
Sen. McCain picks Gov. Sarah Palin as Republican veep candidate
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, 44, a working mom of 5 children, one afflicted with mongolism, has been chosen by Sen. John McCain as his vice-presidential running-mate in the Republican party for the November 4, 2008 US election. A strong pro-life conservative who is against abortion and gay marriage, and favors oil drilling, Palin the first woman ever named in a Republican presidential ticket has a strong support from her constituency who gained prominence when she fought corruption in Alaska. A surprise choice, Palin will invigorate public scrutiny and realign voters as the campaign tightens when the voting date draws near. =0=
