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I tried to follow the CNN Youtube debates, simply because it is the first of its kind. An online town hall meeting, questions coming from the citizens. I would like this to be implemented as well during the 2010 Philippine Presidential Debate (that is of course, if we get to 2010 and if candidates will actually want to participate)

In the coming days, I will try to put forward the questions that were raised, and offer some of my own insights, but today, I will try to highlight, out of the 39 questions that came up during the debate, the questions that had my attention. The videos and my thoughts are below.

But this is important because, as much as we would like to focus in The Philippines, we have to also take note that there are many Filipino Americans that will have a chance to vote in the 2008 United States Presidential Elections. What can these candidates do for us Filipinos? Will immigration be a focal point with Filipino Americans? Will Filipino Americans vote for a Democrat, Republican, or an Independent?

Which American Presidential Candidate will be best for The Philippines? The Philippines is very much connected with The United States, and our relationship with this nation has always been strong ever since we gained our own independence. The United States is a super power, and this fact remains. To ignore them would be a grave mistake, our Globalized world demands we take notice.

And now back to the CNN Youtube Democratic Debates.

Question: Did race play an issue in the response to Katrina?

I think this issue was on everybody’s mind when it happened. And the answer to this question, is as much related to our own country, as it is with regards to the social divide in America. Some would say, that because of the natural disasters we faced last year, would the response have mattered if the victims were rich, affluent, or even foreigners? How is it that each natural disaster in The Philippines is followed by a week or so of unity, and much questions, and yet months after, it’s like it never happened.

The issue of Katrina, could very well be a Philippine issue as well. Because, as it happens, we have a far greater percentage of poor among our population, compared to that in The United States.

How do we get beyond empty promises for Darfur?

Darfur is an international problem which everyone in the international community should be focused on. This ties directly to our humanity. When do we as a nation, as Filipinos, as Filipino Americans, and as human beings finally put overwhelming pressure against the Leaders of The world? Darfur is a disaster that should have been prevented. But it wasn’t prevented, so the question is now, how do we stop it?

Mother of a soldier - how many more soldiers need to die?

This is what most politicians and even The current Bush Administration fails to fully realize and empathize with. Because soldiers for them, in my opinion, seem to be only collateral damage, as they institute what they have always planned all along, and that is the permanent occupation of Iraq as a a strategic jumping off point in the region. What is the difference between Darfur and Iraq? The difference is that Iraq is an important strategic stronghold for The United States, but who cares about soldiers?

And so, this mother, clearly states, what many Americans, and maybe even Filipino Americans are thinking, and that is, how many more soldiers need to die, until George Bush and his administration admits their mistake?

A snowman’s biggest question

Global warming, the big question that has been put on the center stage, much thanks to Al Gore of course. But Dennis Kucinich’s answer is one that is honest, and an answer that isn’t too obvious, clear, or even something that many individuals are modestly knowledgeable about. That Global Warming has been allowed to advance to such a critical state because of the addiction to oil, and the need for many corporations to reap their annual profits. Thus Kucinich mentions Global Warring and Global Warming and the connection between the two. Indeed, wars are being fought now, all because of oil. Take Iraq as the biggest example. And the Darfur China inaction as another.

Tough questions on health care

The Health Care questions are always the questions I gravitate to. This is why, during the 2007 SONA of Gloria Arroyo, I was keenly listening and reading the transcript with regards to Health Care. It is a problem that many nations face, and with The Philippines in much more dire need of a better health care, I would have hoped the SONA had more specific details as to how The Philippines would address this. Preventative Health Care is something I always try to champion during my talks with fellow Filipinos. But it seems, that it is something that not many Filipino Politicians care much about. After all, prevention is always better than catching diseases before they get out of control.

Sadly, many Filipinos, and probably many Filipino Americans cannot get preventative check ups that would indeed save them from near fatal or even fatal diseases such as advanced cancer, diabetes, heart problems, and other Chronic diseases.

Health care is a tough problem indeed.

What’s to like and dislike about the candidate to your left?

And to end on a light note, The CNN Youtube Debates ended with this question. It was a light question, meant to see if these candidates had a little personality to them. I’m glad that it ended with no candidates taking this particular question too seriously, except for one candidate that is, but let’s give him the benefit of the doubt, he was the one who had to answer first. John Edward’s answer was kind of, for lack of a better word, Gay? You decide.

Closing Thoughts

These debates are important, for one thing, they are free for all of the candidates, it doesn’t discriminate on whether who has the most funds, and it is this kind of campaign I wish for The Philippines as well. But even in United States politics, money talks, and whoever has the most, is always seen as a front runner, or at least near the front.

The Debates does give me a glimpse as to what kind of issues, The Philippines should be focusing on, this is why I was so disappointed with the President’s SONA. The key issues, and not just Pork for her constituents, should have been the center point. And not the vague, yet almost clear message, that she will try to continue with her political ambitions past 2010.

The Filipino Americans who will vote come 2008 will be part of yet another historic day for the United States, as well for the rest of the world.

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