News these days are so unusual!
For the first time in American history, people are protesting the presidential election results. Donald Trump’s surprise win has so shocked the nation, about half of them, those who did not vote for him are not ready to accept it.
So now, they are out in the streets in many cities to express disgust over his impending assumption to the Presidency, given his disreputable character and some people’s perception of his unsuitability for the highest office of the land.
Trump still has to face court cases and all kinds of alleged wrongdoings started before the campaign. That he practically bullied his way to his election, mouthing what protesters think were nonsense in debating critical issues, has fueled rage even more.
How can this occur in the leading democratic and civilized country in the world? Will he or won’t he dismantle Obama’s legacy that he worked so hard for as he has pledged to do?
Will the white America that he has resurrected go down the path of a civil war? With other nations what will he do with trade and alliance pacts?
Nobody knows how the protests will become, as there is no precedent in history. Like an exciting movie the suspense keeps us glued to our television, radio, internet and social media for that daily dose of fresh developments. The uncertainties are nerve wracking.
Here in Canada, the Prime Minister’s Office has released the next batch of newly appointed senators. And like Trudeau’s first appointees they come with sterling and incredibly amazing credentials.
From the rigid screening they were put through, it is clear that they are very prepared and capable of tackling the jobs of independently representing and articulating the interest of the community they represent.
There was hardly any criticism against any of Trudeau’s appointees. Contrast that with the Harper appointed senators with some that may have inflated their credentials in order to clinch the appointment.
I feel sorry for our Filipino community. Most of us came to Canada with university degrees, never mind how we got here. The early waves of expatriates were mostly professionals, a few like my late husband Ruben Cusipag who came here for political reasons.
For the later groups, many chose to leave the homeland because of the prevailing culture of graft and corruption, widespread poverty, and lack of better economic opportunities. It did not matter that some ended up as caregivers, PSWs, or domestic helpers. They only used the easiest way to get out, but majority of them are brilliant and have university degrees to show off
While countless of us were successful in planting roots in our adopted country, a handful rose above the ordinary on their own merits to excel and bring pride to the Filipino people.
Given that kind of opportunity, there are many proven community leaders that can stand up and speak up for our community with high integrity and good credentials
Thank God that our Prime Minister Justin Trudeau totally changed the system of senate appointment so let us hope that it does not happen again, because it can certainly depreciate the standard and value of the race they represent.
In America, they think Donald Trump is so unqualified and unsuitable, is now facing protests that are becoming wildfires, challenging him in the open streets by his people exercising their democratic rights. Media is free to scrutinize the events in the exercise of their right to report the truth.
If taxpayers have a politician isolated and ostracized as outcasts, it is not because of the media, but the truth of themselves bringing it unto their own selves. Politicians should start right, with honesty and integrity, because when you enter the public life, everything is bound to surface.
Here in Toronto, our role as community newspaper is simply to report the news as it happens. Balita only deals with facts, reporting the truth in every case. Additionally, we have grown to be the only community newspaper that has advocated for our community’s public interest since our beginnings.
People come to us with complaints, sentiments and compliments, and we take it as our duty to be your voice and we will not back down from that responsibility.
Our Investigative journalist once tried asking lingering questions to a politician. They were simple and easy questions to answer but we were instead referred to his lawyer who took it the wrong way and responded with threats and intimidation. We had a good laugh at our staff meeting at how queasy and defensive they have become
As what we have been saying, the truth needs to be told. Especially when they involved public funds raised in the name of our community. Someone has to be made accountable, and it is our duty to pursue it.
There is always a way to be fair to people. If the representation is below standard, if a politician is honestly unqualified, and constantly embarrassing the constituents, then the only fair and honorable thing left to do, the only way out is to resign.
Politicians should not wait for rallies and protests to occur like what is happening in the US and Philippines. Sooner or later, the community they represent will get fed up and mount collective action against them. And then Karma will take its toll. ******
