A new president, a new America, a new world

Barack Hussein Obama II, after inspiring inaugural ceremonies, now holds command as the 44th President of the United States of America, together with his Vice President Joseph Robinette F. Biden Jr. Obama is an African-American, a Protestant Christian. He is distinguished to be the first black president of the country, hence there is widespread optimism and excitement over the new changes that he symbolizes. Both black and white Americans look up to Obama as their hope not only for improved racial relations but more also for improving the present economic condition.

All eyes are on him as he takes his first steps in office as the US President, having inherited a country in distress over a protracted recession that is expected by economic analysts to eventually affect almost all other countries outside of it, including smaller Asian economies like the Philippines. Notwithstanding reports that prove otherwise, a country like ours that has long been dependent on the US, should brace itself for tougher times ahead. Lessons from the Great Depression in the 1920s, tell us that not only Europe and America went through difficult times. Publications on economic history during that period show that all countries, including the Philippines, experienced declines in foreign trade and sales of primary export products as well. At that time, we were exporting abaca and copra to the United States; hence when the demand dropped, our workers in the provinces were affected. Filipinos resorted to eating root crops like camote and gabi in order to survive. In the present crisis, we witness stable industries in information technology and manufacturing, banking, health and insurance shaken up. Locally, the pre-need industry federation has called out for assistance as financial deficits threaten its continued existence to the detriment of millions of planholders. Intel, a big IT exporter, has closed shop just the other day, with 2,000 workers laid off.                                         

Obama’s new policies will affect Filipinos in and outside the country. It is said that he prefers to open business and employment opportunities in favor of American citizens. If this is true then our OFWs have lesser chances of landing jobs or getting work contracts in the US especially in the present situation where more businesses there are folding up and more and more people are losing their jobs. Before this there were talks that because of this policy, call centers here will be pulled out so that the jobs will be kept within US territory. Call centers here currently provide an increasing number of job opportunities for Filipinos across all ages and we really hope that reports disproving this policy are true. We cannot afford to add more numbers to our already swelling unemployment rate.         

Obama vowed to make it easier for immigrants to the US to get legal status. Right now, there are about 37 million illegal aliens there, mostly Hispanics, according to one source. What we would also like him to do is to rationalize his new immigration policies and strike a harmonious balance with anti-terrorism laws so that legitimate immigration and work applications will be treated differently from the cases of illegal aliens. His apparent understanding of socio-cultural diversity, as his supporters claim, would be an important asset in this aspect.  

For the Philippines, a Barack Obama presidency could mean increased foreign aid, more rights for immigrants and a commitment to finally compensate Filipino veterans who fought alongside Americans in World War II. We hope all these will materialize soon. 

The United States of America has been recognized in the words of Obama, ”the most prosperous and powerful nation on earth”. For me, America is also the greatest force for good. It has taken active leadership in keeping peace, preventing the spread of diseases and calamities, fighting poverty and leading the development of countries in the world. But lately it has caused wars and defended governments holding greater influence over smaller ones, albeit, all in the interest of world peace and harmony. As a global economic power, the effects of its sub-prime mortgage crisis cascaded to other continents and abolished reputable financial institutions. It has triggered a global crisis that threatens to bring the whole world economy to the brink of chaos. Because of this, all its achievements in world development may be reduced to nothing.Great as its influence may still be in the global village, America direly needs, at this time, the cooperation and understanding of the other nations. Obama is not a god and he definitely cannot do the great task alone. In his moving inaugural address, where democracy was hailed; noble roots, sacrifices of our forefathers and lessons from the past were remembered; and finally, where a clear call was made, “to go back to the old and true values of hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism”, we believe that President Obama is on the right path.

The world watches and waits as America hopefully, regains its foothold.