Obama scored an Electoral College landslide that redrew America's political map. He won states that reliably voted Republican in presidential elections, like Indiana and Virginia, which hadn't supported the Democratic candidate in 44 years. Ohio and Florida, key to Bush's twin victories, also went for Obama, as did Pennsylvania, which McCain had deemed crucial for his election hopes.
Furthermore, the majority seats in both houses which belonged to the Republicans will now be held by the Democrats. When Obama and running mate Joe Biden take their oath of office on Jan. 20, Democrats will control both the White House and Congress for the first time since 1994.
However, these details are no longer important to us, Filipinos. What we can look at his how the elections have been conducted, how the protagonists behaved during the campaign period till the end of the elections, how soon the winner is known.
The conduct of these presidentiables are admirable. They debated based on the issues, went to different forums where their opinions can be heard while our candidates try to outdo each other singing and dancing onstage.
We have learned to accept that when a candidate loses (even in the barangay elections) the losing candidate will automatically say he/she has been cheated. McCain, after several hours of counting, has already conceded defeat saying, The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly. Not only that, he also added:
This is an historic election, and I recognize the special significance it has for African-Americans and the special pride that must be theirs tonight," McCain said. "These are difficult times for our country. And I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face."
We have always been said to follow America's lead. We have listened to its music, danced the way it did, watched its movies, and others. Why can't we follow the way they conduct their elections? I say, we copy the good things about them and trash those that are not good.
In the meantime, we hope that the changes the election of Mr. Obama will bring will be beneficial for us, too. For after all, when America sneezes, the world catches a cold.
6 comments:
The American people spoke and it reverberate as far as the halls of the White House. I wonder how this present administration's leader will be judge in the pages of history. Not so magnanimous, me think.
to be honest, this is the most moving post i've read on the results of the US elections from a non-american. and i've read a lot since yesterday. kudos, rolly.
i'm all for change. but it really is unity under the new administration that's going to move things forward.
i keep an eye on things, too, especially from the perspective of a citizen living in a developing country.
blogusvox I believe McCain's lost is also due to the fact that he is with Bush. :-)
illyria Wow, that is the biggest compliment I've had in years! And coming from one of my favorite writers to boot, I'm ecstatic. Thank you.
i think,tama ka tito rolly,get the good one,and start with a new one.
sana ganito rin sa simula.
ever Sana nga at hindi lang sa simula kundi hanggang matapos
I think you're comment about US elections and american culture is wishful genius. Elections and culture, although intertwined and inseparable, are two different animals. The magnanimous behavior which McCain exhibited the night of the election is usually "par" or standard for the course - it's expected for the good of the country. And as a US citizen I'm grateful for this type of speech and don't take it for granted even though it's expected. But it doesn't always turn out like McCain - especially at the lower levels of government. If you have a closely contested election or a candidate gets really desperate - especially at the state and local levels - it's not surprising to see someone take the "low" road. Serious ugliness and mean spirited mud slinging sometimes rears it's head. So, what determines how a candidate will act in a close election? I think it mostly depends upon the individual personality, his or her level of maturity, pride, ego, and how much the candidate thinks he/she stands to gain in power, prestige, perks etc. But of course individual attitudes are to some degree shaped by cultural practises and norms. In the Phils., unfortunately, the opportunity for financial gain even at the highest levels of gov't especially while in office is a major driver of the behavior and violence in the country around elections. Of course this should not be news to anyone. The system definitely needs to address the "conflict of interest" shortcoming. The policy of rewarding public officials especially at the provincial levels a percentage of a project's value should be eliminated.
Anyway, your lament about Pinoy politics and behavior got me to recall an experience I had at a filipino party over here in the states a couple of years ago. I was playing cards with several uncles from the old country, mostly from the same clan and who ranged in age about 10-20 yrs older than myself. We got into a discussion about Barry Bonds' history making homerun baseball and the violent brawl over the ball that ensued in the stands where the homerun ball was hit which was all on video. When I calmly objected to the brawl and thought there should have been better crowd control (the original fan who caught the ball got bit or "chomped on" by someone in the mob and the ball ended up being wrestled/snatched away from the poor lad while under a mosh pile of bodies) all of my uncles, were vehemently opposed to any crowd control and insisted that the brawl was a "part of the game". I vividly remember their eyes becoming unglued and bodies stiffening straight up as they defended their position. It was a very short debate as I realized in a nano-second that there was no rational reasoning with my uncles. I look back on it jokingly but I almost felt like I was in a den with a pack of wolves the way my uncles congregated and defended their ground. I mean, their kind of posturing only happens here among adults of their age when it comes to serious personal arguments over family or reputations but not over whether there should be better crowd control at a historic sporting event. Their reaction opened my fil-am raised eyes somewhat to the attitude of some older generation pinoys. What the F*%^? just happened (excuse my french)- I remember asking myself. I hoped that it was an isolated incident and in no way reflective of even a tiny slice of 50 and 60 yr olds in the Ppines, but something tells me my hope was a bit too hopeful! To counterpunch this, I doubt that most of the well meaning educated pinoys that I've come across would so readily flip on the machismo switch just to settle a somewhat trivial issue. I'm hoping this "model" non-threatening pinoy will win the day more in the years to come and be the candidates and honorable dedicated leaders elected into Phils. public office.
Post a Comment