(Part 2 of 2)
THE national conventions for both the Republican and Democratic parties are over, and the campaigns for the November 6 presidential elections have now shifted to high gear.
Just a few days after the Democratic National Convention, the latest CNN-ORC poll shows the Democratic Party’s candidate President Barack Obama enjoying a 6% edge over his challenger, Republican Party’s bet Mitt Romney (52-46%). The Gallup Poll reveals a 5% advantage of Obama over Romney post-DNC.
The same poll reveals that President Obama widened his lead over Gov. Romney among women, they are tied among men. A majority of voters also expressed they believe Obama is more in touch with the issues and problems of the middle-class, and that the President shares their values. Romney and Obama tied on the likely voters’ choice for the candidate who can take on the economy better.
This is not quite in synch with the Filipino Channel’s Balitang America recent poll of our Fil-Am viewers on the weekend after the conventions. Consistent with what I wrote last week, the majority of our voters, 54% said they are Republicans and that they will vote for the Romney-Ryan ticket. Thirty-three (33%) were self-proclaimed Democrats who said they will vote for the re-election of Obama and Biden, while only 13% claimed they are independent voters.
Last week, I discussed the fundamental principles that guide the Republican party, which majority of our kababayans in the United States adhere to. This week, let us focus on the Democratic Party’s guiding philosophies..
While the Republicans’ ideology is anchored on each individual’s liberties, responsibilities and achievements as the primary factors behind economic prosperity, the Democrats present an additional element which guide them in their policies and programs -- social responsibility.
“We understand that this democracy is ours. We, the people, recognize that we have responsibilities as well as rights. As citizens, we understand that America is not about what can be done for us. It’s about what can be done by us, together...We don’t turn back. We leave no one behind. We pull each other up.” Obama’s convention speech captured just that.
This philosophy translates to the following positions of the Democratic party:
If the Republicans believe in “trickle down economy”-- giving tax breaks, limiting regulations for the rich to help them maximize profit, believing this will somehow lead to business expansion, more hiring and a more robust economy -- Democrats believe in building the economy from the bottom up.
This explains the Democratic leadership utilizing economic interventions such as stimulus and tax breaks for the middle-class. Democrats believe putting more money in their pockets lead to stronger consumer confidence, which translates to purchasing power and more robust economic activity. They believe this approach is the key to grow businesses and revitalize the economy.
This was also how the Democrats explained the spike in national debt in the past four years. The recession that started in 2007 during the past administration caused many people to lose their jobs and homes. This also meant diminished revenues for the government from income tax, property tax, etc which would have paid for the expenses of the local and federal government -- covering salaries for government employees (teachers, firefighters, police, etc), social services, education, health care, infrastructure, etc.
The Obama administration said the country incurred more debt to pay for the economic stimulus that was was intended to compensate for the losses in income for families and local government. This intervention, among others, was meant to arrest the recession and prevent another depression, stimulate economic activity that would grow the economy again.
While Republicans advocate for small government and less government intervention, that it is up to the individual to succeed and fulfill the American dream, Democrats believe government plays an important role to make sure that in America, “all men are created equal”.
This is reflected in Democratic policies, legislations, and programs to fight against discrimination, an affirmation that that in America -- no race, language, gender, sexual orientation, age, culture, language, social status, religion, etc. is more superior than others.
This philosophy is manifested in their liberal and progressive stand on controversial social issues like women’s rights to make decisions for themselves and their bodies, as well as gay rights -- including the right of same-sex couples to enjoy the same benefits enjoyed by heterosexual couples in marriage.
And because “all men are created equal,” Democrats believe in “inclusion”-- respecting the differences among religion and cultures. This is why people of other culture, ethnicities, and religion (yes, even those with no religion like the atheists) are more drawn towards the Democratic Party. This is also why the Democrats are perceived to be more forgiving and even nurturing of immigrants -- documented or not.
The Democrats also believe it is the government’s role to help those who are disadvantaged in society. This translates to policies and legislations protecting workers’ rights, unions, consumer protection, business regulations, providing social services and safety nets for needy Americans, immigration reforms, the controversial Obamacare, etc.
To pay for these, Democrats believe it is equitable for the rich to pay higher tax rates than the middle-class -- a stark contrast to the Republicans’ position of low taxes for all and small government.
Democrats say we must invest in the future by allocating budget for education, research, technology, infrastructure, health care -- and the return on this investment will strengthen America’s leadership in the world. Republicans say we should not spend money we do not have.
Republicans believe in American exceptionalism, which means the United States has a specific world mission -- to spread liberty and democracy. For them, this means Americans should “lead from the front and not from behind,” as we have heard in the convention speeches. This principle translates to the need for a stronger military, and the requirement to allocate more budget to support it.
Democrats, on the other hand, believe that what makes America exceptional is the diversity and inclusivity of its people regardless of race, age, culture, sex, etc, and that this has made America a stronger nation.
In the foreign policy front, while Democrats agree that America has to look after other peoples’ welfare and human rights, they believe America should work with its allies and within the global community of nations, to fulfill this role.
While majority of Fil-Ams support the Republican Party’s ideology, a growing number of Pinoys in America, particularly (but not all I must say) among the younger, more educated ones -- are leaning Democratic because of the party’s liberal and progressive position.
But then again there are those who do not identify themselves with either party -- the undecided and independent voters. Definitely, every Fil-Am should understand the issues to make an informed and conscientious decision on November 6, for it will also greatly affect the lives and causes of Filipinos here in America and in our motherland.
* * *
Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column
THE national conventions for both the Republican and Democratic parties are over, and the campaigns for the November 6 presidential elections have now shifted to high gear.
Just a few days after the Democratic National Convention, the latest CNN-ORC poll shows the Democratic Party’s candidate President Barack Obama enjoying a 6% edge over his challenger, Republican Party’s bet Mitt Romney (52-46%). The Gallup Poll reveals a 5% advantage of Obama over Romney post-DNC.
The same poll reveals that President Obama widened his lead over Gov. Romney among women, they are tied among men. A majority of voters also expressed they believe Obama is more in touch with the issues and problems of the middle-class, and that the President shares their values. Romney and Obama tied on the likely voters’ choice for the candidate who can take on the economy better.
This is not quite in synch with the Filipino Channel’s Balitang America recent poll of our Fil-Am viewers on the weekend after the conventions. Consistent with what I wrote last week, the majority of our voters, 54% said they are Republicans and that they will vote for the Romney-Ryan ticket. Thirty-three (33%) were self-proclaimed Democrats who said they will vote for the re-election of Obama and Biden, while only 13% claimed they are independent voters.
Last week, I discussed the fundamental principles that guide the Republican party, which majority of our kababayans in the United States adhere to. This week, let us focus on the Democratic Party’s guiding philosophies..
While the Republicans’ ideology is anchored on each individual’s liberties, responsibilities and achievements as the primary factors behind economic prosperity, the Democrats present an additional element which guide them in their policies and programs -- social responsibility.
“We understand that this democracy is ours. We, the people, recognize that we have responsibilities as well as rights. As citizens, we understand that America is not about what can be done for us. It’s about what can be done by us, together...We don’t turn back. We leave no one behind. We pull each other up.” Obama’s convention speech captured just that.
This philosophy translates to the following positions of the Democratic party:
If the Republicans believe in “trickle down economy”-- giving tax breaks, limiting regulations for the rich to help them maximize profit, believing this will somehow lead to business expansion, more hiring and a more robust economy -- Democrats believe in building the economy from the bottom up.
This explains the Democratic leadership utilizing economic interventions such as stimulus and tax breaks for the middle-class. Democrats believe putting more money in their pockets lead to stronger consumer confidence, which translates to purchasing power and more robust economic activity. They believe this approach is the key to grow businesses and revitalize the economy.
This was also how the Democrats explained the spike in national debt in the past four years. The recession that started in 2007 during the past administration caused many people to lose their jobs and homes. This also meant diminished revenues for the government from income tax, property tax, etc which would have paid for the expenses of the local and federal government -- covering salaries for government employees (teachers, firefighters, police, etc), social services, education, health care, infrastructure, etc.
The Obama administration said the country incurred more debt to pay for the economic stimulus that was was intended to compensate for the losses in income for families and local government. This intervention, among others, was meant to arrest the recession and prevent another depression, stimulate economic activity that would grow the economy again.
While Republicans advocate for small government and less government intervention, that it is up to the individual to succeed and fulfill the American dream, Democrats believe government plays an important role to make sure that in America, “all men are created equal”.
This is reflected in Democratic policies, legislations, and programs to fight against discrimination, an affirmation that that in America -- no race, language, gender, sexual orientation, age, culture, language, social status, religion, etc. is more superior than others.
This philosophy is manifested in their liberal and progressive stand on controversial social issues like women’s rights to make decisions for themselves and their bodies, as well as gay rights -- including the right of same-sex couples to enjoy the same benefits enjoyed by heterosexual couples in marriage.
And because “all men are created equal,” Democrats believe in “inclusion”-- respecting the differences among religion and cultures. This is why people of other culture, ethnicities, and religion (yes, even those with no religion like the atheists) are more drawn towards the Democratic Party. This is also why the Democrats are perceived to be more forgiving and even nurturing of immigrants -- documented or not.
The Democrats also believe it is the government’s role to help those who are disadvantaged in society. This translates to policies and legislations protecting workers’ rights, unions, consumer protection, business regulations, providing social services and safety nets for needy Americans, immigration reforms, the controversial Obamacare, etc.
To pay for these, Democrats believe it is equitable for the rich to pay higher tax rates than the middle-class -- a stark contrast to the Republicans’ position of low taxes for all and small government.
Democrats say we must invest in the future by allocating budget for education, research, technology, infrastructure, health care -- and the return on this investment will strengthen America’s leadership in the world. Republicans say we should not spend money we do not have.
Republicans believe in American exceptionalism, which means the United States has a specific world mission -- to spread liberty and democracy. For them, this means Americans should “lead from the front and not from behind,” as we have heard in the convention speeches. This principle translates to the need for a stronger military, and the requirement to allocate more budget to support it.
Democrats, on the other hand, believe that what makes America exceptional is the diversity and inclusivity of its people regardless of race, age, culture, sex, etc, and that this has made America a stronger nation.
In the foreign policy front, while Democrats agree that America has to look after other peoples’ welfare and human rights, they believe America should work with its allies and within the global community of nations, to fulfill this role.
While majority of Fil-Ams support the Republican Party’s ideology, a growing number of Pinoys in America, particularly (but not all I must say) among the younger, more educated ones -- are leaning Democratic because of the party’s liberal and progressive position.
But then again there are those who do not identify themselves with either party -- the undecided and independent voters. Definitely, every Fil-Am should understand the issues to make an informed and conscientious decision on November 6, for it will also greatly affect the lives and causes of Filipinos here in America and in our motherland.
* * *
Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column