THE MIGHTY DOLLAR

Why do people from more than one hundred countries in the world come to North America? I remember more than four decades ago, I was one of those lured to cross the ocean to an uncertain future when I was well-placed in my country of origin. I held a prestigious position in a university with a remuneration enough for a comfortable life. I left to visit a sister but I did not plan to stay abroad permanently. And yet I did.
It was not an easy life at the beginning. I guess I was more fortunate than most. My educational credentials and work experience qualified me for certain lines of work but they were still below the one I left. I did not have any problem about a roof over my head nor my three meals.
I landed a job in the beginning that I thought was below my qualifications but I was taken because of my skills in interviewing and counselling. Eventually I went to teaching. But what made me stay? At the beginning I had some difficulties understanding other people even if I then spoke fluent English. My main problem was the weather. I arrived in the midst of winter. That was the reason I did not pursue teaching right away. Oh my! The cold sifted into my heavy coat. My hands and ears were numb.
But still I stayed! What was the lure? The Mighty Dollar! I was receiving about twenty times as much as I earned in the Philippines. I could send money to my brother and sisters every month. I had my weekends off and two-week holiday at the beginning which extended to two months when I went to teaching.
Never mind the cold! I had my coat, muffler, gloves and boots. I can afford to buy them.
I was able to see the wide world. I traveled during my holidays. True, I was not able to save much but I have no regrets.
Those travels and the media have opened my eyes on the extent of the power of the Mighty Dollar. People in different parts of the world live according to the amount of the Mighty Dollar that they can get. Their homes, clothing, food and other amenities in life differ according to their bank accounts. I wonder if those people in some remote and very poor parts of India and Africa even have bank accounts.
The Mighty Dollar indeed holds power. Look what Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has done to get rid of malaria. This disease had killed thousands of people in Third World countries. In spite of having the vaccines many places could not be reached by this treatment because the chemical easily got spoiled in the heat. The Gates’ billions found a way of having the vaccines kept in special coolers that preserved them until they reached their destination.
The Mighty Dollar!
Several weeks ago, the media treated the Trump Campaign as fun and entertainment. Contrary to some expectations Donald Trump’s popularity has continued to grow. The world has seen that his statements which were considered bravado in the beginning appear to becoming a reality. “ I am rich, I will win!”
According to Donald Trump, he is worth ten billion. He intends to spend a billion in this election campaign. That means a lot of campaign workers, more election gatherings, more specialists to help him write his policies and platforms, more spokespersons, more free helicopter rides, more television times, etc., etc. what the Mighty Dollar can buy!
Donald Trump does not need to fundraise. He is not beholden to anybody. He can say what he wants to say without fear of inviting somebody’s displeasure. The Mighty Dollar!
Will Donald Trump‘s popularity continue to rise in the polls? Will he be nominated as the Republican Party’s candidate for president for 2016? Will the Mighty Dollar continue to push him up?
Money is power that can either make or break us. We have heard of crimes committed just for a fifty-dollar debt. We have heard of offsprings killing their parents to get their inheritance. We have seen how wealth has ruined people and make them unpleasant. But we have also been witnesses to the Bill Gates of this world who live a quiet life and make their Mighty Dollar save lives.
The Mighty Dollar is not ALMIGHTY!
Rosalina E. Bustamante, August 2, 2015