‘I am sure that for many around the world – except perhaps for the most desperate living across the Rio Grande — the appeal of America is waning, if not gone.’
I’VE always been fascinated with America, particularly with the spirit that made it the preferred destination for many Filipino migrants since the colonial period.
America stood for freedom of thought and expression, a place where one could dream, work hard, and achieve those dreams. It’s a strong nation because it has a mixture of races, talents, and aspirations, one that looked both to the old world of Europe and the new world of Asia and took advantage of the opportunities available in both.
My mother’s siblings, who all migrated, were proud of what America offered, especially healthcare. Especially for me, as a student of political science.
America was where the country’s directions were debated during campaigns every four or so years, and power transitioned seamlessly from one party to another. But over the years, something has changed. I suspect it has to do with the way the whole world outside America has changed while a lot inside America has struggled to remain the same.
Take industry for example.
For decades, America was the factory of the world, doing it much better and with much more valid ads than the old world of Europe could. Then, American businessmen realized that more profits could be made by outsourcing manufacturing to low-cost countries. Textiles and clothing moved, then industrial goods and machinery, and then technology. For the production that remained in America, technology took the place of manual labor. Less was needed to make more.
The industrial belt went into decline. But so did education. In 2016, I spoke to a political science class in a private school in Alabama and asked college students to point to the Philippines on a map. Four tried and failed to look for the Philippines, Africa, and South America. Only one young man whose father was once assigned in Japan as part of the military knew where the Philippines was. This was a college for kids from well-off families. Imagine what American kids from the poorer segments of society do not know.
Recently, an aunt was sourcing for medicines that cost $250 in the US only for me to find out the same doesn’t even cost P2,000 here. It’s the same brand, same manufacturer. But my aunt was dubious: how can it be so cheap there? Maybe it’s poor quality made in China. True, but made in China by a US pharmaceutical giant. Maybe it’s not the quality but the system. What used to be a major attraction (excellent healthcare) for migrants is no longer what it used to be.
It’s a slippery slope for a society once it loses its footing and slides into decline. Oftentimes, that decline isn’t too obvious in the beginning. But when it becomes obvious, it’s almost too late to reverse course. Just like many diseases are not too obvious at the early stages until one day you wake up and you’re in Stage 4 already.
I fear that America is in such a situation, and that’s a problem as much for Americans as it is for the world. But it’s what Americans wanted – or what 32 percent of eligible voters wanted.
Thankfully for me, while America always fascinated me and had a political culture I idealized, it was not fascinating enough or ideal enough in my eyes for me to want to become part of it. No sir. Not then. And definitely not now.
I am sure that for many around the world – except perhaps for the most desperate living across the Rio Grande — the appeal of America is waning, if not gone.
