New York Fil-Ams: Will you vote for Trump or Biden?

By Alex P. Vidal

 

“I hope that no American will waste his franchise and throw away his vote by voting either for me or against me solely on account of my religious affiliation. It is not relevant.”

—John F. Kennedy

 

IN the corner of Broadway and Elmhurst Avenues in Queens, Filipino-American coffeeshop habitués, all retirees, hobnob and regularly discuss a variety of topics mostly about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), family and politics, morning and afternoon until past seven o’clock in the evening, if necessary.

Some of those who “survived” the COVID-19 blitzkrieg in Elmhurst, the world’s epicenter in March and April, dabble in “checking of attendance” or engaging in a guessing game to determine their friends’ whereabouts and how they tackled the pandemic that has killed 867,362 people worldwide as of September 9 now that everyone is again free to walk around but must continue to observe the social distancing guidelines and wear a face mask while in public.

With less than 60 days before the US election on November 3, the Fil-AM retirees exchange contrasting views in their choices between Republican President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joseph Biden.

 

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Lorenzo, 68, of Nueva Ecija: “If you will vote for Biden, you will vote for lawlessness and abortion. Look how they (Democrats) are trying to destroy America by aligning with the looters and the leftists.”

Jun, 64, of Pasay City: “Nagkamali si Biden ng pagpili ng vice president. Si (Kamala) Harris querida yan ng dating meyor sa California eh (Biden made a mistake in his choice for vice president. Harris was a mistress of a former mayor in California).”

Demy, 59, of Laguna: “Trump has made a fool of himself by constantly lying to the American people. He has not shown any sympathy and empathy to thousands of Americans who died of coronavirus. Buti pa si (First Lady) Melanie binanggit pa ang mga (COVID-19) victims sa speech niya in the last (Republican) convention. He will lose.”

Mang Andal, 78, of Tarlac: “Alang alang sa mga apo ko at sa iba ko pang anak, iboboto ko si Biden. Alam niyo sa kapakanan din ng mga Pilipino na gusto pang pumunta sa Amerika kung manalo si Biden at ang mga Demokrats. Tingan ninyo ang policies and political principles ng mga Republicans, puro against sa mga immigrants. Ayaw nila tayo papuntahin dito. Eh paano naman ang mga pamilya natin na gusto ring maka punta sa Amerika for the greener pasture kung manalo ulit si Trump?” (For the sake of my grandchildren and other relatives, I will vote for Biden. It will be for the benefit of the Filipinos if Biden and the Democrats will win. The policies and political principles of Republicans are mostly against the immigrants. What will happen to our compatriots who want to also come here for the greener pasture if Trump will win again?)

 

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Ricardo, 63 (province unknown): “P_tang ina mga gago ang mga demon-crats na yan. Tayo ang mga taxpayers ang kawawa sa spending habits nila. Tingnan lang ninyo ang ginawa nila sa stimulus. Dahil ayaw ni (Speaker Nancy) Pelosi mag compromise sa Republicans hanggang ngayon wala pa rin tayong natatanggap na (stimulus) check kaya nag issue na lang ng executive orders si President Trump. Let’s vote for Trump.” (Those ‘demon-crats’ are SOB and dumbs. We the taxpayers are in the losing end because of their spending habits. We have not received our stimulus checks until now because Speaker Nancy Pelosi has refused to make a compromise with the Republicans, thus President Trump was compelled to sign a series of executive orders. Let’s vote for Trump).

Jimmy, 63, of Tarlac: “Biden and the democrats should win. We all know that most Asians will vote for Biden. With the votes and support of the Jewish community, Hispanics and the BLM (Black Lives Matter) group, there’s no way Trump and (Vice President Mike) Pence can win. It will be a battle between the multi-racial immigrants from all over the world against the white supremacists who are obviously adopting the style and strategies of Hitler’s Nazi. Please (referring to Ricardo) don’t call the democrats demon-crats. It’s below the belt.”

Mang Pepe, 80, of Manila: “Saan na ba ang mga tao dito? Halos lahat yata ng mga lalaki dito ay takot sa mga asawa nila. Wala pang alas siete  ng gabi nag siuwian na. Walang kuenta ang politika ngayon. Ang mahalaga ay buhay tayo at hindi tayo nadali ng kobid.” (Where have all the people gone? Almost all men are apparently afraid of their wives that’s why they went home before seven o’clock in the evening. Politics is of no value. The most important is we are still alive and we have survived the COVID-19).

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two dailies in Iloilo)