In the early infancies of the Democratic and Republican parties, both shared certain fundamental principles that made America the idealistic nation that it is and in doing so, it created the powerful character traits of what “A Greater Fool” is. A Greater Fool is said to be someone who has the perfect blend of delusion and ego to think that he can succeed where others have failed. America was built by Greater Fools. And as it stands, America is the greatest superpower in this planet’s history.
This is what people have come from the corners of the Earth to the US for. The ideal, the belief, and the hope that perhaps they, too, could succeed. It was a necessary imprint that this country’s forefathers have left not just for Americans, but for the rest of the world. And it is an imprint that this generation has seemingly forgotten, if not unaware of.
Both parties started out as huge proponents of individual liberty, that citizens should be free of government tyranny. Democrats strongly opposed a then-Federalist party that believed in national government control, while Republicans believed in the abolishment of slavery, passing the 14th and 15th amendments in the “Reconstruction Era” giving African-Americans the right to suffrage and due process of the law.
Their core beliefs have boiled down to where the Right believes that individuals are responsible for their place in society, and that Government should enable constituents the ability to secure societal benefits for themselves, their families and those who are unable to provide for themselves. The Left, on the other hand, believe that government is beholden to care for all individuals, that free enterprise is a right but should be balanced by a government that prioritizes the middle class, and that civil liberties are to be protected, as these ideals are what defines the American spirit.
Over time, Democrats have taken a more active stance on Civil Rights issues than their friends across the isle, working on issues such as women’s voting rights, aid to the elderly and education benefits to US troops. They also take credit for putting a man on the moon during President John Kennedy’s administration, for the creation of the Peace Corps and for demanding action with environmental laws, starting with the ban of atmospheric nuclear weapon testing.
The Republicans, meanwhile, have strengthened their stance against too much government intervention, and that individuals are to make a difference in society. At least, that is what the Right preaches, but the practice has not suggested it. Government is to serve as support for “individuals who are unable to act effectively,” but through acquiring the help of big business and mainstream media to propagandize how to properly inform an electorate, they have shackled the hard working American.
The GOP and its new delegation of Tea Party members have began an all-out assault on Americans, feeding them fear, empty promises in vague generalities, a healthy appetite for filibustering in both Senate and Congress, delaying action on important matters instead of working with their counterparts, indefensible actions supporting racism and a dose of constant shameless lies and incoherent misleading rhetoric. Republicans have evolved into a party that lines with “Conservative” thinking – promoting lesser taxes and free enterprise, which often times results in allowing the rich to be richer with very lenient tax regulations and constant breaks, while the middle class’ struggles continue to compound. And now, even hardcore Republicans are being attacked, because a lot of the “new Republican idealism” that is promoted today isn’t from “real” Republicans.
[See: Most Ridiculous Tea Party Signs Ever]The Tea Party “has taken over and found more room to the right,” by suggesting that it is a grassroots movement for middle class America despite the fact that they have no interest in working for the middle class’ benefit. It is apparent that by choosing to ride with the momentum of the Tea Party in the two previous elections, the GOP has absolutely disregarded the notion that a healthy middle class would mean a healthy economy, and they have come to ignore the fact that reducing the deficit while demanding lower taxes is a mathematical impossibility. While raising the taxes is not the solution either, it simply does not make sense to continue giving tax breaks to households who have an income of $250,000 or more. (And, by the way, Obama’s plan actually worked in regards to deficit reduction.)
It has been a reckless campaign that the Tea Party has set out to promote, and while most Americans are victims of a mainstream media that continues to ignore its job as a watchdog for the public, it is somewhat sad that there aren’t a lot more newsrooms like the fictional one now on HBO, which shows how the Fourth Estate was originally designed to function.
With all that said, how exactly does this tie in with Asian-Americans, and more specifically, Filipinos?
In an article last November from the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the report showed the numbers with Republican and Tea Party support from Filipino Americans. Inquirer Global Nation Reporter Rodel Rodis wrote:
In taking a look at the said NAAS report, which showed that among the sample size of Asian American citizens interviewed:
- 45% were described as “Likely Voters,” with Japanese and Filipino Americans as the most likely to vote (64% and 52%, respectively.)
- Among these likely voters, 43% of Asian Americans supported Barack Obama while 24% supported Mitt Romney.
- And among the 24%, Filipinos showed the most support for Romney at 38%.
It also says that “In a significant shift from prior surveys, Filipinos who identify as Republicans outnumber those who identify as Democrats. Indeed, a larger proportion of Filipinos now identify with the Republican Party than any Asian American group.” The issue is not really about how more Filipinos lean with Conservatives, but to “embrace the extremist views” of the Tea Party who has found more room to the right is another thing, when one would think that wasn’t even possible.
The Inquirer article also mentioned the story of Filipino-American pediatrician and Ohio Tea Party candidate Dr. Marisha Agana, who ran for a congress seat in the 8th district of Ohio. She created headlines that the Tea Party salivated on, tweeting this:
But as Rodel Rodis pointed out, “the tweet accomplished its intended purpose as it drew national attention to her campaign earning her media coverage on the Huffington Post and on Balitang America which has 250,000 cable subscribers in the US.”
Rodis’ colleague in the Inquirer, Mr. Conrado de Quiros also came out with an editorial in regards to the matter, lamenting at “…how we are utterly out of touch with America and the world, as much as the Republicans. Or, put another way, how we are the most clueless, or aberrant, group of immigrants in the United States. Or still put another way, how we are the odd man out in Asia, an example of a people so thoroughly brain-addled by colonialism.” It’s a painful truth, but signing on with the rest of the loony bin isn’t a good look for us as a people.
It’s an excellent strategy, and this is how the Tea Party operates. Extremist views and hate spew from their mouths, daring to compare Americans to Hitler and effectively disregarding and ‘diminishing the suffering of the Jewish people.’ And, it’s just one of the now countless examples. You’re never sure if they’re really just batshit crazy or they’re just really great and disciplined actors.
Whichever the case, as constituents, Filipinos have a moral obligation just like any decent American to know just exactly who you’re supporting.
[Feature Photo Credits]
