BACOLOD CITY — The United States elects its President today, November 4 to them. Whoever they choose, Barack Obama or John McCain no one will question.

We will not hear them making charges of cheating or mass vote buying. The Americans will not allow themselves to be cheated. Nor will they allow themselves to be bought.

You cheat an American and you will have a fight. And they are the ones who spend for the candidates they like. Campaign funds come from the contributions of supporters. And they contribute not for a future sweetheart business deal with the new official. One contributes because he believes in the cause and in the person.

A Filipino elected mayor of Carson City in the California was jailed for corruption. I met him. He came here one time.

Let us have a little patience. Many of these corrupt officials strutting around as if they own the world, will soon be in jail too. Pray for that.

We know, if they still have a conscience, in the depth and silence of their bedrooms the pangs of guilt may have worked on their conscience, knowing sooner or later the arms of the law will catch up on them.

They only have one fellow to look to, Joc Joc Bolante who, even before he is pronounced guilty, is already convicted by society.

***

No man lives a more lonely life than Joc Joc. If he has not yet lost his material wealth, he already lost very many of his friends. His children and grandchildren will carry that stigma of their grandfather. Did he not think of these before? The only way is for him to tell the truth.

The greatness of America is in its people. They have the capacity to choose leaders on the basis of their performance, their passion, their philosophy. And competence.

They cross many psychological barriers, shake off all kinds of bias, to vote for one they believe is deserving.

Protestant America voted for Catholic John F. Kennedy in 1960 who turned out to be a better choice. White America is also expected to vote for black Barack Obama because many believe he will turn out to be a better leader. The result will be known before the day is over.

Americans never allowed themselves to be fettered by bias and prejudice.

These, and many more, make America great with its great people and with the blessings of material abundance, America cannot yet be replaced as the world’s leader.

***

There were only two U.S. Presidential elections that aroused my deep interest – John F. Kennedy fighting Richard Nixon in 1960 or 48 years ago and Barack Obama now fighting John McCain.

As one who loves wrapping in beautiful words the rhetorics and great ideas – call it verbal packaging – Kennedy caught my interest with his pronouncements. Obama too. He beat Hillary Clinton in the primaries by the power of his rhetorics.

Both Kennedy and Obama are good communicators.

Obama won his people’s confidence by the depth of his passion, the steadiness of his temperament, and the judicious quality of his decision making.

While John McCain, when confronted with a problem, would show irritation and displeasure, Obama was always cool and in possession of himself. Probably borne of his confidence in his grasp of the issues.

Obama must have studied the gestures and how Kennedy handled questions and how he put across ideas.

***

Most Presidential candidates never make good their commitment. I recall Kennedy in the last debate with Nixon, Red China was shelling Quemoy island that led President Dwight Eisenhower to put the Seventh Fleet on standby status guarding Taiwan.

Kennedy was asked, will you send American troops to Quemoy? His answer, I recall very well, was straight and fast, “I will not spend a single American life to protect a piece of rock.”

Before his one year at the White House ended, he already sent his advisers to Vietnam to be followed later by troops.

Barack Obama and John McCain never promised not to send American soldiers to fight wars abroad. Obama only said, he would end the Iraq war. But watch, he will send troops to Afghanistan if he wins.

The U.S. cannot afford to have no pocket wars abroad, not only in the beautiful rhetoric of defending democracy but more so to keep the American was factories humming. Especially in this world economic crisis now.

***

We just hope we follow the temperament, the passion, the philosophy, and the ideology of the Americans. And most important of which is their people’s anger towards the crooks and the corrupt in government. And they jail them.

A few hours from now, America will have a new President. We congratulate them. But, don’t ever rely on them. The Americans are interested only in one thing, the interest of America.

If they show generosity or interest in us, it is because that in the end, it is for their interest. In dealing with the news be sentimental.

The Germans have a word for it, “Realpolitik.” It is a political philosophy based on the reality of national interests.*

3 Responses to “The greatness of America”

• 1
  Dr. Antonio Gestosani
  November 4th, 2008 01:01

  Yes, Primo I always believe that America is still the greatest country in the world. Here in America, democracy reigns; justice always prevails; and opportunity is always available to everyone who lives the “American Dream”. Tomorrow we will elect our new president who will lead this great country in the next 4 years. Thus, we take our election seriously. In contrast to Philippine politics: we support our candidates by contributing money to their campaign (not taking money from them by selling votes); we listen attentively to their speeches and their views during the debates (not their empty promises); we look at their records in public service ( not what the pundits praise them for); we look at their personal and religious beliefs ( not what they tell you otherwise); and lastly, we vote our conscience to elect a leader who will lead us to economic prosperity and protect our nation against terrorism here and abroad. Americans are hard working people. Americans are idealistic and innovative people. Americans are generous people. Americans are friendly people. I am proud to be an American. And, GOD BLESS THE NEXT PERSIDENT OF AMERICA.
• 2
  Dr. Antonio Gestosani
  November 5th, 2008 22:28

  Breaking News: Senator Barack Obama is the 44th President of the United States of America. This is the historic event in American Politics. First black person to serve as president of the United States. Separated from his Kenyan father when he was 2 years old. Moved to Jakarta, Indonesia with his white mother (married an Indonesian) until 10 years old. He returned to Honolulu and lived with his maternal grandparents. He has very impressive academic records and remarkable political career until he was proclaimed President Elect last night. My friends, this is the “American Dream”. What impressed me most was the candor and elegant Senator McCain and President Bush showed by accepting defeat and congratulate Senator Obama. This is the difference between politics here and the Philippines: NO ILL-WELL AND NO POLITICAL PAYBACK. When all was said and done, the sun shine the next morning and we all go back to work. GOD SPEED THE NEW PRESIDENT AND GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
• 3
  Ilonggo
  November 6th, 2008 01:11

  Now we see what the guy is made of. Will he repeal the Patriot Act? Will he get the USA out of two senseless wars? Will he renegotiate NAFTA? Will he scrap the corporatist agenda driven & secretive SPP? Will he repeal FISA? Will he try and tear down the insidious Federal Reserve? Will he give the US Constitution and its prolific writers the respect it not only deserves, but commands? Will he rid DC of this phony cowboy bullshit?

  He talked the talk with a heavily Constitutionally themed speech. Now will he walk the walk?

  The Bush days are over!! I’ll drink to that. CHEERS!

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