Advance of the Amber Americans

The idea that America, as we know it today, would turn into the land of the yellows, the browns and the blacks in a short span of 34 years may be disconcerting to many conservative Americans. Caucasians have long dominated the population in terms of numbers, and the world at large has long gotten used to the country's predominantly white citizens as the traditional face of the American race. The minority status of Caucasian Americans is perhaps nature's way of reversing fortunes, and the acceptance or rejection of this evolution by the present generation will determine the smooth transition, or rough sailing, of this event.

The native Americans never quite reached that point of being dominant as they were decimated beyond ever becoming a majority in the nation's demographics. Prior to the arrival of Christopher Columbus, they were all over the land. But they were unable to deter the illegal immigrants from pouring in great numbers time and again, violating their borders, slaughtering their livestock, destroying the environment, and destabilizing the ecological balance. They were unprepared for the massive influx of undocumented illegals whose weaponry were far superior to their arrows and spears. They were driven to wastelands after being reduced to less than a fraction of their number, where their way of life and beliefs would be eroded by psychological and cultural damage, to just wither and fade.

The US Census Bureau estimates that by 2042, or 8 years earlier than expected, Hispanics, Asians, and all other races combined will become the majority. No mention was made of Middle Eastern nationalities, but it will be a population that's different in age, race and ethnicity. However, the Caucasians will still be the major population group, accounting for 46 to 48%. The Census Bureau qualified its projections by stating that the numbers are subject to big revisions depending on immigration policies, and natural and/or man made disasters. This does not mean that government and industry would all be headed by non-Caucasians at the time, as many of these Amber Americans would probably still be children and infants.

But there would be changes in the landscape. We would see more tea houses than Starbucks; a lot of Dimsum, Sushi bars and Taco outlets, and a lot less of McDonalds; and plenty of steamed buns, spring rolls and Tamales outnumbering the hot dog stands 3 to 1. Kentucky Fried Chicken may probably be outsold by Yan's Peking Duck or Nguyen's Pho Bo, or even Pacita's Halo-Halo. There will also be changes in daily wear as traditional clothing of the more conservative members from various ethnic groups would dot the urban and suburban areas. Or, the American flag could be seen printed on a turban wrapped around the heads of many Asian men. The American accent may also undergo changes and its distinctions may be blurred (as in the Boston, New York, or Mid-West accent), and new words would enrich the American vocabulary - although these may not be immediately understood by all. Religion may be predominantly Catholic, or Buddhist, or Hindu.

Hollywood will produce movies in various languages, all with English sub-titles; and televison talk show hosts will have new faces. The Late Show with Dan Wong and Tonight Show with Juan Lanuza will top bill the airwaves. Country music and all other genre will sound funny compared to what it sounds today. Newspapers and publications will also have very different formats and concepts. US Ambassadors may be ethnically from the countries they are assigned to, and this could foster better understanding and world peace.

However, the reverse is also true. The ethnicity may engender divisions and bitter conflict among the competing races that may result in ethnic re-grouping; where the different states are dominated by a particular ethnic group. The unfortunate effect would be the break-up of the states into independent countries; and worse, warring among themselves.

There are many possibilities, some positve, some negative. How this is handled and managed by the country's leaders up to that point will establish how truly noble America is, and how much this rich aggrupation of culture and divergence could be harnessed and molded to make it the greatest country on earth. Or, the paranoia of many members of its current dominant population could impede this development, and it would lose the source of its wealth and power - as well as the intangible values that would make it the citadel of justice and equality. That is the saddest development of all.

Haaarrrwwwwk...Twoooooooph...Ting!

Delays that may Damage and Divide Democrats

Barack Obama is ahead, but he cannot seal his victory. He has the funding and the momentum, but can't seem to spurt his way to a decisive triumph. Hillary Clinton is often on the edge of defeat but always manages to claw her way back in contention. After Pennsylvania, it is clear that neither of them will secure the nomination with 2025 delegates, and the Democrat selection process will drag on until August. This could be damaging for the Democrats in their attempt to retake the White House.

The enmity between these rival camps grow every day and with each approaching primary. Brickbats, accusations and negative portrayals of the other candidate are hurled by both sides, providing tremendous ammunition for the Republicans and dividing the party's voter base. Supporters of either candidate are developing deep seated bitterness that could take this rivalry to a condition that is beyond repair. At the end of the selection process, whoever is selected may alienate the supporters of the defeated candidate. The resulting bitterness may drive them not to support the Democratic candidate, not to vote at all, or worse, vote Republican. The healing and unification process may be more difficult than is normally believed.

The biggest factor that hinders an outright Obama nomination is obviously race. The Clinton's have raised this card early on and chances are the Republicans will do the same should he be the nominee. Conservative white America is just not too comfortable with a Black President. Surveys may show this to be minimal among whites but it could be deceptive since these respondents do not want to be seen as racists. Some may say they want a woman President, but the number of Black women voting for Hillary are in the minority, most are whites. This could indicate that the gender issue is a cover up for a race issue. Latinos and Hispanics opt for Hillary too supposedly on her close ties with this segment. But these voters may fear that Obama's concerns would skew towards blacks rather than Hispanics, advancing the issues of the African American race as against theirs. Again, this is a race issue.

The other major factor going against Obama is his inability to win over the blue collar workers. He projects the persona of an educated man that may be too elitist to grasp the needs of the non-college degree holding factory workers and employees. There is a disconnect in the attraction process that he has difficulty bridging. He has built his bandwagon on new, youthful, educated, voters made up of independents, young Democrats and former Republicans, but cannot win over the workers who are older than his yuppie followers. Same with the older voters 60 and above.

The younger voters are more open and accepting of ideas and are inclined to support the idealistic candidate that speaks their thirst for new politics, after being jaded by the Washington brand of power play. Factory workers are more skeptical, being at the receiving end of bad deals from lying educated lawyers, bureaucrats and politicians. They will not vote for a Black President because he doesn't stand a chance. They'd rather go for the white, man or woman. People 60 and above,? They are conservative types and will go with the white woman too. Barack Obama's failure to connect with these segments may have something to do with race as well.

Hillary's game plan may be to drag the process until the convention with no clear winner, then barge into the nomination by collecting on past favors given to the super delegates. She may also expect Obama to get tired, make mistakes, or lose his cool and talk his way out of the nomination because he doesn't have the temperament of a stable leader; not tough enough to take the hard blows. But Hillary's credibility as a person is so badly damaged by her own embellishments that she has become uncomfortable to trust. The divisive tag given her by the GOP is proving to be true even among her party mates. Electability by virtue of experience or toughness by virtue of battles fought may no longer be the criteria for selecting a President come November. With all the lies that have been dumped on the American people in the last 7 years, trustworthiness may be the key element, as well as a new vision for approaching America's problems.

Obama is on the right track. All he has to do is maintain his composure and be unfazed by Hillary's repetitive rise from the depths of defeat. Hillary's predisposition to look at things in terms of conflict and confrontation, and her knack for doing better when in a crisis situation is chillingly dangerous. Anyone who is in confrontational mode and is good in handling crisis means America will always have a crisis, and will often be on the brink of a confrontation.

Haaarrrrwwwwk...Twoooooph...Ting!