Live, from Iowa

January 8, 2008  --  Got something to say?
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Our Town By Jon MelegritoBy Jon Meligrito
AMES, Iowa
Being away from the nations capital the past two months has its plusses and minuses. Its been quite a relief to literally be outside the stifling political heat of Washington and out here in the wide, open spaces of rural Iowa where ordinary folks are engaged in an extraordinary historic process of choosing the next president of the United States.

The only minus is missing home-cooked meals and everything else thats cooking in D.C. Like the action in Capitol Hill. The Filipino Veterans Equity bill, after successfully coming out of both veterans affairs committees last Spring, is still waiting for a full vote by all 435 representatives and 100 senators. Two Republican senators are holding it up with their objections, negating what would have been easy passage in the Senate by unanimous consent. Among those objecting is Idaho Sen. Larry Craig. Because of Senate rules, all it takes is for one dissenting senator to prevent a floor vote. The situation in the House is different. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who supports the equity bill, is expected to schedule action on the measure soon as the senate completes its business.

There was a slim chance for passage before the December recess. It now looks like it will have to wait for a couple more months after the second session of the 110th Congress resumes in January, and before the political campaign season heats up. Veterans and community activists, while disappointed about not having a bill-signing celebration in December, are nonetheless optimistic. We cant let up now. We are so close. We have to fight to the finish.

Finishing First. Meanwhile, Filipino American activists, while continuing to lobby for the equity bill, are also heavily involved in the presidential campaign. Gloria Caoile is in Nevada. Junelle Cavero heads up the Asian Pacific American Islander outreach effort for the Hillary campaign in the Des Moines metropolitan area. Irene Bueno and Irene Nativad are also stumping in Iowa and New Hampshire.

The Iowa caucuses, taking place on January 3, will launch the presidential nominating season. They are essentially neighborhood meetings in all of the states 2,000 precincts where voters publicly declare their preferences. And since its the first in the nation, all eyes are on Iowans and the decisions they make. The largest turnout of caucus goers is expected despite forecasts of frigid weather.

As I said in my last column, Ive been here since November to reach out to union members of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME). I had volunteered for a field assignment as it beats sitting in a cubicle all day, in front of a computer screen. Meeting Iowans face to face in their homes and talking to them about their concerns have been a very satisfying experience. Ive been particularly impressed by the involvement of Filipino Americans in the campaigns of Clinton, Edwards and Obama.

I was pleasantly surprised to meet one of them in Winterset. Hillary was speaking before a hundred local folks in this rural community 30 miles outside of Des Moines one frigid Saturday in December. When I saw Mira again a week later, she brought her three children along to party with other kababayans at the Des Moines Filipino Store, a community center for Filipinos around the state. Another Cebuana, Pacita Coca Scott of Mt. Ayrs, was wearing a Hillary button. Both have made up their minds to go to their neighborhood caucus and stand up and be counted for Hillary. While feasting on adobo, pinakbet, dinuguan, lechon” and bibingka- courtesy of store owners Dwight and Benilda Roberts - other FilAms like longtime Iowa residents Magdalena Hanson and 70-year-old Natividad Balines signed up pledge cards for the U.S. senator from New York. My husband is for Edwards, Pacita points out, but Im trying to convince him to see it my way.

Earlier that day, I met Malou and Roel Campos, local NAFFAA leaders of Des Moines, at an Asian Pacific American event. They said they are still undecided - between Barack and Hillary. We want to study more closely their positions on the issues before we make up our minds,” Malou confided. But were definitely going to our neighborhood caucus.”

It is encouraging to see more and more Filipinos in America getting involved in the U.S. political process, instead of tuning in mostly to Philippine politics. As Iowans, they certainly grasp the pivotal role they play in this coming national elections. I doff my hat to them. May their tribe increase.

And to all my family and friends - as well as my readers -may you be enriched by the blessings of the holiday season.
E-mail your comments to _jonmele@aol.com

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